Montgomery County Courthouse (Credit: Montgomery County Planning Commission).
Funding would support criminal justice data program, Norristown trailhead improvements, transportation plans
Montgomery County planning officials are seeking $1.78 million in state gaming revenue grants to further three criminal justice, recreation and transportation initiatives.
Montgomery County Commissioners authorized Montgomery County Planning Commission Executive Director Scott France to file applications for local share account grants with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
If approved, the funds would progress several projects, including trailhead improvements in Norristown, a transportation plan for Germantown and Sumneytown pikes, as well as a multi-departmental data integration initiative led by the county’s Pretrial Services department.
Montgomery County has received $3 million since its inception over the past couple of years.
'Justice data integration and insight initiative'
The proposed $781,275 would aid a collaborative effort between several of the county’s criminal justice agencies, according to France.
Led by the county’s Pretrial Services division, other entities, including Adult Probation, the Montgomery County Correctional Facilities as well as Magisterial District and Common Pleas courts, France said, adding that the proposed scope included “integrating data the initiative aims to provide a comprehensive and reliable view of the County’s criminal justice system.”
“It will not only support rigorous research and reporting but also power both internal and external dashboards, enabling the county to respond swiftly to emerging issues within the justice system and generate critical insights to drive informed decision-making,” France said.
Norristown trail improvements
Planning officials were seeking $500,000 to build momentum on recommendations from the recommendations from the 2020 Montgomery County Trail Access, Diversity, and Awareness Plan, France said. Two public meetings were held this summer to engage stakeholders on ways to improve the Schuylkill River Trail trailheads at Chain Street and Haws Avenue in Norristown.
France emphasized the need to “make the trails more accessible and more active” for trail goers. Possible solutions included installing benches, trash and recycling bins, as well as signage for nearby attractions such as area businesses, the Elmwood Park Zoo and Norristown Farm Park.
“This is an important plan to better understand challenges hindering the equitable use of the county’s trails and develop recommendations to address these challenges,” France said.
Transportation plans for Germantown, Sumneytown pikes
Montgomery County’s plans to further transportation improvements would benefit from a $500,000 grant from the state, France noted, in continuing efforts from a 2022 MontCo Pikes study. Findings examined six major thoroughfares, including Germantown and Sumneytown pikes.
“This is seen as the next big multimodal roadway investment when Ridge Pike is completed near the end of the decade, and this study will help to set that in motion and make those opportunities available to us later in the decade,” France said.
The next Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19 on the eighth floor of One Montgomery Plaza, 425 Swede St. in Norristown. Those interested in attending the meeting can also do so virtually. Visit montgomerycountypa.gov for more information.
