Lansdale stands as a living testament to its past, with historical buildings mirroring the town's journey through time. These properties encapsulate the stories of generations, reflecting the struggles, triumphs, and cultural evolution of our community.
Such buildings provide a tangible link to the past, evoking a sense of nostalgia and fostering a shared sense of belonging among residents. Preserving these structures is not just an architectural endeavor; it is an act of preserving collective memories and cultural identity.
The closing of Lansdale’s Wells Fargo branch, and listing of the bank building for sale, presents our community with this important reflective moment to define our path forward for architecturally significant buildings.
However, the challenge lies in striking a delicate balance between preservation and progress. Lansdale, like any growing town, faces the imperative of revitalizing its infrastructure and promoting economic development. Embracing modernity ensures that Lansdale remains a dynamic and appealing place to live, work, and invest in. Encouraging redevelopment in certain areas can rejuvenate the community, create new job opportunities, and improve overall quality of life.
The government's hands may be tied when it comes to the protection of historical buildings without official landmark designation (something the property owners must participate in) or the development of a historical district. Absence of these designations limits the legal framework for imposing strict regulations on private property owners looking to develop their land.
The designation of a local historical district, according to state law, is for the purpose of:
"Protecting those historical areas within our great Commonwealth, which have a distinctive character recalling the rich architectural and historical heritage of Pennsylvania, and of making them a source of inspiration to our people by awakening interest in our historic past, and to promote the general welfare, education and culture of the communities in which these distinctive historical areas are located.”
Defining the distinctive architectural character of an area in Lansdale may prove to be a challenge, and further defining that space beyond a single building will add even more complexity to the issue. In addition, the definition of this historical area is something that would be debated, and possibly even opposed by portions of our community.
To be very clear, I am not saying we shouldn’t make the effort to preserve our historical spaces. I am saying that this is going to take time and cannot be done in rapid development. Due to this reality, it is far more likely the Bank Building’s preservation and redevelopment will fall to the existing limitations of our planning rules and definitions.
Nevertheless, the government must play a proactive role in finding innovative solutions to this predicament. Encouraging dialogue between stakeholders – historians, developers, local businesses, and citizens – is vital in shaping a collective vision for the town's future. Incentivizing property owners to voluntarily participate in preservation efforts through tax breaks or grants can be helpful in safeguarding historical architecture.
Furthermore, the Borough Council could consider introducing legislation that promotes adaptive reuse, wherein historical buildings are reimagined and transformed to serve contemporary needs while preserving their essential character. This approach fosters a harmonious coexistence between heritage preservation and progress, but would still require clarity on which buildings fall under these designations and what code adjustments/easements are granted to developers looking to meet the desired adaptations.
Lansdale has been here before. In my opinion, poor decisions were made regarding the Tremont Hotel, and we are living with that decision to this day. Lansdale stands at a crossroads between preserving its historical treasures and embracing progress and redevelopment. Striking a delicate balance is essential to ensure that the town's unique heritage is not lost in the march of time. Governmental limitations due to the lack of official historical designations should not deter proactive efforts to protect the town's historical buildings.
