|
|
|
|
|
|
 Willow Grove Renaissance The city is working hard to develop a classic downtown appeal. In 1998 a group of town leaders started the daunting task of planning to redevelop and revitalize Willow Grove, the core of Upper Moreland Township, by forming committees and conducting studies focused on finding the most efficient way to revitalize the area. A plan was designed and discussed at length with residents and business owners. It involves "changing the flavor" of the town. This plan is centered on attracting new businesses to the area, on gathering support for existing downtown businesses and on improving the classic structures and fixtures that are traditional centerpieces of the downtown area. Upper Moreland Township has hired Carol Macrone as the Director of Redevelopment and Revitalization to take charge of the project and to get the word out about the project to potential investors, business owners and any other local residents who would like to participate. Macrone will also act as a liaison between the private and public sectors, ensuring that all aspects of the revitalization process are conducted with full cooperation from both. "We're starting to see the whole thing coming together, as of about a year ago," Jack Tarman, chairman of the Redevelopment Area Implementation Committee, says. "A lot of things are starting to happen that we haven't seen in the past 30 years or even longer." Over the next 10 years, there will be many changes in the area now known as the Willow Grove Town Center. These changes will include redirected roads and better intersections, an opening to the War Memorial Park, and new business that complements what is presently part of this area. Additionally, there will be more trees, and existing buildings will be "redressed." The revitalization committee has applied for and received a grant from the county to achieve this goal, and the city hopes to begin the construction process within the next few months. "We have funding now," Tarman says, "and we can start implementing that funding to get things done. In the next few years, we're going to see the most significant changes. "One of the aspects of a healthy community is a viable business community, because with that comes a viable residential community. Everything works in harmony," Tarman continues. "Reversing this trend of decline in the downtown will result in community boost in financial matters and in quality of life. It becomes a win-win situation for everybody involved."
|
|||||||||||||||||
