\Re*nais`sance”\ (F. re-n[asl]`s[aum]Ns”; E. r[-e]-n[=a]s”sans), n. [F., fr. rena[^i]tre to be born again. Cf. Renascence.] A new birth, or revival. Specifically: (a) The transitional movement in Europe, marked by the revival of classical learning and art in Italy in theDelaware 15th century, and County the similar revival following in other countries.Renaissance (b) The style of art Program which prevailed at this epoch.\Re*nais`sance”\Planning (F. re-n[asl]`s[aum]Ns”; Area 2 Action Plan E. r[- e]-n[=a]s”sans), n. [F., fr. rena[^i]tre to be born again. Cf. \Re*nais`sance”\ (F. re-n[asl]`s[aum]Ns”; E. r[-e]-n[=a]s”sans), Renascence.] A new birth,n. [F., fr.or rena[^i]tre revival. To be born Specifically: again. Cf. Renascence.] (a) The transitional movement ina new Europe, birth, a revival marked. Specifically: by (a)the The transitionalrevival of classical learning and artmovement in Italy in Europe, in marked the by the15th revival century, of classical and learning and art in Italy in the 15th century, and the similar the similar revival followingrevival following in other in other countries. countries. (b) The style of(b) art which The style of art which prevailed atprevailed this at thisepoch.\Re*nais`sance”\ epoch. (F. re- n[asl]`s[aum]Ns”; E. r[-e]-n[=a]s”sans), n. [F., fr. rena[^i]tre to be born again. Cf. Renascence.] A new birth, or revival. Specifically: (a) The transitionalPrepared for: movement in Europe, marked Delaware County Council, Delaware County Planning Department, and the Pennsylvania Municipalities of by the revival of classicalChester, Chesterlearning Township, Upland Borough, and and Parkside art Borough in Italy in the 15th March 2003 Prepared by: Delaware County Renaissance Program Planning\Re*nais`sance”\ (F.Area re-n[asl]`s[aum]Ns”; 2 Action E. r[-e]-n[=a]s”sans), Plan n. [F., fr. rena[^i]tre To be born again. Cf. Renascence.] a new birth, a revival. Specifically: (a) The transitional movement in Europe, marked by the revival of classical learning and art in Italy in the 15th century, and the similar revival following in other countries. (b) The style of art which prevailed at this epoch. Prepared for: Delaware County Council, Delaware County Planning Department, and the Pennsylvania Municipalities of Chester, Chester Township, Upland Borough, and Parkside Borough March 2003 Prepared by: SECTION 1 Setting the Stage..................................1 Overview of the Renaissance Program Planning Process Planning Area 2 Context Vison and Goals Table of Priority Development Contents SECTION 2 Providing a Framework.........................8 Chester Creek and the Upland Historic Core Edgmont Avenue and the Chester CBD SECTION 3 Recommending Action ........................11 Chester Creek Corridor ......................13 Project 1: Chester Creek Flood Abatement Pilot Project Project 2: Upland Corner Development Future Projects Edgmont Avenue Corridor...................22 Project 3: Edgmont Avenue Streetscape Improvements Project 4: Triangle One Building Rehabilitation Project 5: Franklin Building Rehabilitation Future Projects SECTION 4 Taking the Next Steps.........................34 SECTION 5 Appendix.............................................37 enaissance – a revival or rebirth. The first- generation municipalities of Delaware County, Pennsylvania have experienced many challenges. RMost notable among these are a steady out- SECTION 1 migration of residents, a declining tax base, high levels of unemployment, deteriorating Setting The Stage housing stock, an aging infrastructure, and disinvestment by the private sector. To reverse this trend, Delaware County Council has initiated the Delaware County Renaissance Program, a community revitalization and economic development initiative to encourage a revival, or renaissance, of the County’s first- generation municipalities by making them more attractive, livable, safe, and economically viable for their citizens. This Action Plan addresses the municipalities of Chester, Upland Borough, Chester Township, and Parkside Borough. 1 Overview of the Renaissance Program the range of project types that are possible for The Delaware County Renaissance Program each Renaissance Planning Area. Projects that is divided into two phases. The first address one or more of the following critical phase includes the development of elements are to be considered the highest Figure 1-1 Delaware County five Action Plans that address the priorities for funding under the program. The Renaissance Program Planning Areas economic development and critical elements include the following: revitalization needs of 29 • Revitalization of downtown and other 5 targeted municipalities. For commercial areas – rehabilitation of planning purposes these 29 commercial buildings, business retention and Media municipalities have been attraction, and redevelopment of brownfields. 4 grouped into five distinct • Housing – new housing construction, land Renaissance Planning Areas acquisition for new housing, rehabilitation (see Figure 1-1). of existing housing, and conversion of non- 3 residential buildings to residential uses. The objective of each 2 • Infrastructure – installation of fiber optic Action Plan is to map out networks, flood abatement facilities, and a 5-year revitalization strategy for 1 other utility-related improvements. the municipalities within a given Renaissance • Transportation – construction of sidewalks Planning Area. The key features of the Action and pedestrian/bicycle connections, Plans are priorized lists of implementable new roads and parking facilities, and the projects that work toward sustainable economic development. improvement of transit facilities. • Public safety – increasing the number of Upon the completion of the five Action police officers, using police bike patrols, Plans, County Council will consider the constructing police substations, and the highest-priority projects for funding. This installation of street lights. implementation funding is the second phase of the program. In addition to the critical elements listed above, other complementary elements could have an Several critical economic development equally significant impact on the economic elements have been identified for inclusion development potential of the Renaissance in each Action Plan. These elements define Program area. 1 Setting the Stage 2 • Urban open space – clearing flood-prone Upon completion of the Action Plans, the areas, developing downtown pocket parks Delaware County Council will select projects and central plazas, and improving recreation with the highest priority based on applications related facilities. from the planning areas. Each selected priority • Streetscape improvements – planting street project will receive a portion of the $1 million trees and installing street furniture. dollars that has been set aside in 2003 for • Historic preservation – improving historic project implementation. The Action Plans are facades, developing historic districts, and set up for a 5-year implementation strategy, creating signage programs for businesses in however funding for priority projects in years historic districts. 2 through 5 has yet to be determined. Any • Directional and informational signage future Renaissance Programs are expected – installation of directional signage for tourist to address the same municipalities, as all attractions and institutions, retail business other municipalities in Delaware County are districts, and industrial areas, as well as addressed through the Open Space Mapping upgrading street name signs. Program. • Cultural and arts attractions – construction of new cultural facilities, improving existing Planning Process facilities, and developing programs and The Planning Area 2 Action Plan was developed advertising. following a process that included three major • Other innovative projects that address unique phases: Figure 1-2 Renaissance Planning Area 2 Process aspects of the community. • Phase 1: Analysis and Vision • Phase 2: Priority Development Conduct Research Establish Priorities Develop Renaissance Action Plan • Phase 3: Plan Development and Analysis Data Collec- tion/ Projects: During the six month planning process, the Analysis Planning Area 2 Task Force, with members from Centers Project Concept Draft Final County Interviews Vision & Project Concept Action Plan Action Kick-off Goals Priorities Strategy Review Review Presenta- each of the four jurisdictions in the Planning Meeting Housing Plan Plan Plan tion Area, provided invaluable guidance. In Corridors Initial Findings Greenways addition, input from key stakeholders and the general public helped inform and strengthen October 2002 November December January 2003 February March the development of the Action Plan. 1 Setting the Stage 3 Planning Area 2 Context Information from the US Census and the From its historic character to its locational Delaware County Planning Department was advantages, the combined area that includes analyzed to assess the Planning Area’s existing Chester, Upland Borough, Chester Township, conditions prior to establishing a vision and 2000-2015 2000 2015 % Change and Parkside Borough has a great number of setting goals. This information was initially strengths and opportunities. Planning Area 2’s presented in “community snapshots” to Chester 36,854 34,880 -5.4% assets can be summarized as follow: highlight demographic information from each Upland Borough 2,977 2,720 -8.6% member jurisdiction and to identify challenges Chester Township 4,604 4,340 -5.7% • Proximity to a major