For years, National Auto — located at the intersection of North Wood and West Main streets — has remained vacant at a premier space in downtown Lansda
Last year, we started to open discussions on the potential viability of a vacancy ordinance. The central theme was centered around the desire to disincentive long-term commercial vacancies in the borough in the hopes of spurring on either re-development and improvement or, at minimum, sustained marketing for the property.
After some deliberation it was agreed that more time was necessary to see if positive reinforcement (namely the addition of a downtown consultant) could spur on the desired improvements. After another year of almost all the same buildings remaining largely empty, I am once again asking what more can be done to generate progress.
In our pursuit of revitalization, we must consider the interconnection between vacant properties, the overall quality of life, and the town's economic viability. Key among the measures that illuminate this connection are the essential metrics of cost per acre and revenue per acre. These metrics shed light on the potential benefits that emerge from breathing life into vacant properties, thereby positively influencing the holistic well-being of our community.
Expanding further upon the way such action fortifies, rather than hinders, economic growth, it becomes unmistakably apparent that the revitalization of vacant properties creates an environment that kindles prolonged growth. By fostering responsible development and utilization of these properties, we open doors for new businesses to flourish while infusing our local economy with renewed energy. Utilizing revenue per acre to build a comprehensive vacancy policy empowers the borough to invest in pivotal infrastructure and indispensable community services in a way that makes the most sense for the most people in our community.
Beyond the realm of financial gains, a comprehensive vacancy ordinance engenders a culture of responsible property management, reinforcing the very fabric of our community through active and well-maintained properties. As forsaken spaces transform into thriving enterprises, they attract a diverse range of talents and industries, thus breathing vitality into Lansdale's economic landscape rather than languishing unused waiting for the “right” business to suddenly come along.
A great example of this approach is Seneca, South Carolina, a town with a population of around 20,000, where the community grapples with the balance between preserving its heritage and encouraging economic growth. The downtown area is primed for revitalization, and traditional cost-benefit analyses lean towards commercialization. But the CPA and RPA analysis shed light on the value of preserving Seneca's historic charm and focusing on community-oriented development.
Seneca embraces this vision, and as a result, the streets come alive with mixed-use developments, welcoming pedestrians to a vibrant tapestry of shops and businesses. The town's soul finds a revival, as residents connect with their roots while embracing a promising future.
By utilizing a CPA or RPA system we can better define and determine how a vacancy ordinance might come together and be effective toward a comprehensive vision for the community. Importantly, this would no longer be based on the emotions of what a person “thinks” success looks like. It would be based on the formula we know works best for our community to flourish.
The first step in this process would be to bring all our disparate data points (property lines, sewer usage, electric usage, tax payments, zoning, and a host of other information) into a single software of truth, namely GIS. This would be no small endeavor, however, the payoff will be our ability to see all the data points at the acre level and review how we can best build toward the future.
(Mayoral Musings is a weekly op-ed column submitted to North Penn Now, courtesy of Lansdale Borough Mayor Garry Herbert. The views expressed are his own and not representative of North Penn Now or Lansdale Borough.)
See also:
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Mayoral Musings: The Truth About Stop Sign Requests in Lansdale
Mayoral Musings: Fairmount Fire Company’s ‘Under the Lights’ Car Show This Saturday
Mayoral Musings: Lansdale One Step Closer to Adding Mental Health Responder to Police Department
