Norristown, the county seat of Montgomery, is located 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia on the banks of the Schuylkill River. It is representative of the once thriving riverside industrial towns that are struggling to reinvent and reenergize themselves. The challenges include population loss, changing demographics, shrinking economic and tax base and overall instability. Ironically, Montgomery County is among the wealthiest and fastest growing counties in the United States. Although in a state of decline and disuse, the fabric of Norristown reflects a promising balance of built, natural and cultural patterns and resources and includes resources such as mixed-use historic buildings and streets, public transportation, the national heritage corridor along the Schuylkill River, and a culturally diverse population.
The study will build on West Marshall Street Retail District’s assets. West Marshall Street is an ideally scaled pedestrian street located in the heart of an existing urban neighborhood with intact 19th century retailing and residential fabric in good repair. It is in the center of the largest National Register Historic District in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and in close proximity to natural amenities such as Poley Park, an underutilized public space, Stony Creek, an important tributary to the Schuylkill River, and the nearby Valley Forge Bike Trail. West Marshall Street is also the commercial corridor for a still-vibrant, if troubled community, and is quite close to many wealthier communities that might be enlisted as customers and allies. Finally, Norristown is the focus of a number of local, state, and federal revitalization initiatives including the Enterprise Zone, the Abele Preiss Shapiro Economic Development Plan, the Redevelopment Plan of the Montgomery County Redevelopment Authority, and numerous federal community development block grants.
The Borough of Norristown has for years been targeting this neighborhood for revitalization. A recent streetscape improvement program, and façade restoration grant program are but two examples of their investment. Aided by the Borough investment, the West Marshall Street Merchants Association, a group of local business owners, residents, and civic leaders is pursuing the objective of restoring the street as a historical theme mixed-use retail street, patterned after Chestnut Hill, Manayunk and Doylestown. As a result of their efforts, one building in the area has been renovated already. At 503 West Marshall Street, the third floor of a 1900 era commercial/apartment building has been transformed into artist studios and exhibition areas. This is an example of the kind of transformation that the proposed study will support. Currently the West Marshall Street Merchants Association is forming a non-profit corporation to better pursue revitalization goals. This effort is expected to be complete before the end of our study, placing them in a good position to apply for Detailed Design Grants for Physical Improvements. One purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of their objective, and to craft a commercial-corridor development plan appropriate for West Marshall Street which may be used in the future as a guide for Norristown revitalization. This will be aided by the implementation of the West Marshall Street Merchants Association.
