Lower Moreland Officials Discuss Philmont Avenue Redevelopment

Back in December, Lower Moreland Township was in the amount of $500,000. Now officials are deciding what to do with it.

Three options were brought up at the most recent Board of Commissioners meeting:

OPTION 1: Putting sidewalks along Lieberman Circle to Welsh Rd., and on Philmont Ave. from Huntingdon Pike to Red Lion Rd.

OPTION 2: Putting sidewalks on Philmont Ave. through Ridgway Park

OPTION 3: Create pathways and trails to would connect Pennypack Trail on both sides of the township.

The grant, presented to the township by Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf, will help fund ongoing revitalization efforts as part of the township's Philmont Avenue Greenway and Development Plan. A feasibility study was done in 2009 for the redevelopment of Philmont Avenue and it was determined that the township wanted to make “the entire area walkable.”

The RACP is a $1,000,000 matching grant, meaning that the state will provide $500,000 if the township will match it with $500,000. Some township officials voiced their opinion that they weren’t certain if spending $500,000 on one of these projects was fiscally feasible at this time. There was also a concern that wherever they decide to build, it better be in an area where residents will get the most use out of it.

The discussions ended with no definitive answer and the projects will be discussed at next month’s meetings (Tue., April 10; Wed. April 18).