Proposal for the Ardmore Transit Center Submitted by: Strategic Realty Investments September 19, 2007 RDMORE Pennsylvania aughan and autter A V BUILDERS September 18, 2007 Bruce D. Reed, President Township of Lower Merion Table of Contents Board of Commissioners Project Approach 75 East Lancaster Avenue Ardmore, Pennsylvania 19003 Our Team RE: Ardmore Transit Center and Business District Revitalization Strategic Realty Investment Dear President Reed: Looney Ricks Kiss Architects, Inc. We would like to applaud all of the commissioners and township staff for all of their hard work that was very evident in the preparation of this request for proposals – Ardmore Transit Traffic Planning and Design, Inc. Center and Business District Revitalization. As evidenced by the recent historical summary chronicling William Penn’s vision for Lower Merion that was recently circulated to your residents, we are extremely fortunate for the many historical influences that have help shape this wonderful community and township. We believe, as responsible stewards that it is critical to respect these past influences and build upon the positive elements that have attracted some many to this area. It is our belief that the revitalization of Ardmore will and should occur in a thoughtful, planned and deliberate manner. This will undoubtedly result from further direction and input from the commissioners, township staff along with the many stakeholders that will be impacted. We have provided some initial thoughts and comments that we hope will form the basis for further dialogue. Initially our plan and vision has focused on the area immediately surrounding the commuter rail station and the pedestrian and vehicular access to and from this area. Based on our latest residential development known as Cambridge Square (directly adjacent to Suburban Square) we realize the importance of a successful transit station as many of the future residents have specifically cited the proximity to the transit center as a primary reason for deciding to live in Cambridge Square. Our team’s involvement with numerous transit oriented developments provides us with unique insights on the impact that public transit has not only on the specific development but the broader impact successful transit has on an entire community. We take great pride in working cooperatively with communities and our goal is to make a positive impact on each and every community where we develop. We share the vision of the commissioners and township staff that a revitalized transit center will be the catalyst for a broader revitalization of the retail and businesses that immediately surround the station which in turn will cause additional private investment throughout the entire township. Once the transit center revitalization is completed we envision that as central to a series of villages that we would hope to develop on the Schauffele, Ardmore West and Cricket Avenue lots. There are many different housing and retail commercial needs that are vital to a diverse vibrant community. Based on our experience with Ardmore Crossing we realize that housing that is affordable is vital and this is also why we feel that a well thought out plan encompassing several of these sites will insure that the desired diversity and density will be achieved. We also believe that these neighborhoods or villages should be pedestrian friendly and incorporate small meeting areas with outdoor seating and fountains similar to areas presently existing in Suburban Square. We fully anticipate that many creative suggestions will be received through this process and look forward to working with the commissioners, township staff and the many stakeholders to further refine the vision for Ardmore. Sincerely, Peter H. Monaghan Nelson M. Vaughan PROJECT APPROACH An Experienced Team for Ardmore Strategic Realty Investments, LLC (“Strategic”) and Vaughan & Sautter Builders (“Vaughan”) Strategic Realty Investments, LLC in partnership with Vaughan & Sautter Builders has assembled a first class design and development team to meet the immediate and long term needs of Ardmore’s Transit Center. Ardmore’s development opportunities require a team with a proven track record of development experience both in the Lower Merion Township, as well as with both transit agencies of AMTRAK and SEPTA.. Furthermore, Strategic understands the need for significant public subsidies required by projects such as the Ardmore Transit Center and has the ability to secure those federal and state funds. With extensive local experience at Ardmore Crossings and more recently with , Cambridge Square Strategic and Vaughan understand Ardmore’s desire for high quality mixed-use development adjacent to the rail station. Strategic/Vaughan has assembled this proven team of professionals: Looney Ricks Kiss Architects, Inc. for Transit-Oriented Development Planning and Mixed-Use Architecture Services and Traffic Planning and Design, Inc. for Transportation, Traffic and Parking Management Planning and Design Services. Additional highly qualified professionals will be involved when appropriate. Looney Ricks Kiss Architects, Inc. Looney Ricks Kiss Architects, Inc. (LRK) is a nationally recognized leader in the design and successful implementation of Station Area Plans, Transit-Oriented Development, Mixed-Use Development and Residential Architecture. With their 23 years of experience, 240 planners and architects, nine offices including Princeton, New Jersey, their special expertise in urban design, planning and architecture will be instrumental in realizing Ardmore’s visions. As you will see, LRK has successfully transformed dozens of places from throughout the country into successful mixed-use places where people want to live, businesses thrive and the spirit of the local community is celebrated. Traffic Planning and Design, Inc. Traffic Planning and Design, Inc. (TPD) offers extensive regional experience developing context sensitive solutions for some of the more difficult transportation, traffic and parking challenges in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. With their four offices and conveniently located headquarters in Pottstown, TPD is well positioned to offer full planning and engineering services for Ardmore’s Transit Center including Transit-Oriented Development Planning Services. With TPD’s proven local experience at Station Square along the R5 Regional Rail Pennbrook Station, Bryn Mawr Hospital and the Intersection Improvements for the Five Points Intersection at County Line Road and Bryn Mawr Avenue, TPD stands ready to provide innovative solutions to the Ardmore Transit Center while integrating traffic management, parking management, transit planning, pedestrian planning and station area improvements. 2 OUR TEAM AND GOALS Goals of Ardmore Transit Center Revitalization • Provide a new Ardmore Transit Center and accompanying transit Lower Merion Township improvements. Board of Commissioners • Encourage transit-oriented development through additional residential and mixed-use development in the ABD that is sensitive to the character of the Lancaster Avenue corridor and adjacent communities relative to mass and scale. Township Staff • Satisfy existing and future parking demand of commuters, the Township government, business community and neighborhoods. • Improve the vehicular traffic infrastructure to serve the long-term needs Stakeholders of Ardmore of the ABD and appropriately handle any added traffic that will result from added density. and Lower Merion Township • Enhance and encourage walkability throughout Ardmore. • Enhance public “green” space, open space, public plazas, sidewalk/trail Transit Agencies linkages and landscaping in the ABD. of AMTRAK and SEPTA • Create and/or enhance pedestrian and vehicular connections between downtown Ardmore and the Suburban Square shopping center. • Revitalize and enhance the character of the commercial and historic Strategic Realty districts of Ardmore in order to help the ABD become more commercially Investments competitive. • Help enhance and preserve the assets of the historic district. Daniel J. Keating Construction Company • Accomplish substantial private investment in Ardmore. Vaughan & Sautter • Minimize and buffer any development impacts upon adjoining residential neighborhoods. Builders • Use innovative environmentally-friendly and sustainable architecture and design where economically feasible. Traffic Planning Looney Ricks Kiss The Township’s intent is to further the revitalization of the downtown and Design, Inc. ABD through significant new private investment in residential, retail and parking development, as well as in public infrastructure, transit and traffic • Master Planning • Regional Planning improvements. • Transit-Oriented • Transportation Planning Development • Traffic Signal System Design • Mixed-use Development • Roadway design • Architecture • Roundabout Design 3 Strategic Realty Investments, LLC is a privately-held full-service real estate development and brokerage company with two primary operating divisions: Strategic Commercial Strategic Residential Strategic was founded in 2001 by Joseph T. Corcoran and Peter H. Monaghan, who have combined experiences of over 50 years in commercial real estate, and have served as executives and principals at some of the world’s most prestigious real estate development companies. Since its inception Strategic has become one of the fastest growing and most dynamic real estate enterprises in the Philadelphia region. Strategic excels in redeveloping challenging