A long-discussed new addition to help fill downtown vacancies in Lansdale could be on board soon.
Council members heard an update this month on the latest steps toward hiring a ‘Main Street manager’ for the town.
“We had a good number of applicants, that some of the committee members, as well as borough staff, are working through,” said councilman Mike Yetter.
“I will say, we’ve seen some impressive backgrounds,” he said.
Back in December council approved a 2026 budget with tax, electric and sewer rate increases, and said parts of the increase were meant to keep up with inflation and rising utility costs, while also funding a new line item for a planned ‘Main Street manager’ staff position that could help market and fill vacant properties. That decision grew out of talks that started as far back as 2009 on whether the town should have a dedicated employee tasked with finding ways to spur development, fill storefront vacancies, and pursue tactics that could keep or attract new business, and a consultant hired to do so in 2022-23 yielded several marketing initiatives and beautification pushes throughout the town but produced diminishing returns over time, and a shift in 2024 toward a permanent addition.
During the March 4 council meeting, Yetter said the economic development committee and staff had fielded applicants for the position via job listings on LinkedIn and online forums for specialists in that field, and were planning to start interviewing their top choices in mid-March.
Details are still being finalized, Yetter said afterward, but the Main Street Manager would likely be an employee of the borough based in an office at borough hall but out and about in the town often. Committee members and staff have also discussed options for that person to meet and greet at other sites like the town’s freight station that is currently being renovated, and/or other storefronts or sites around town.
“They are bringing in experience and certifications in this type of work,” Yetter said.
Once on board, the manager would likely attend town events like downtown First Fridays and summer public gatherings to field feedback from residents, visitors and business owners, he added.
Other recent activities by the committee include reviewing a draft of a welcome packet meant to share key stats and facts about the town with incoming, or interested, entrepreneurs.
“One of the subcommittees is putting together resources about our community, what is attractive about our demographics in town, what resources are available with the borough for new businesses, and those who are interested in bringing new businesses to town,” he said.
The revived Lansdale Business Alliance has also told the committee that they are seeking a new type of nonprofit structure that could allow them to accept funds, open bank accounts, and seek grants. EDC has continued talks on their priorities for the upcoming year, with other goals being to restart the town’s business of the month presentations and program, updating the website and social media channels, working with the parking authority on updating the town’s parking permit program, and more.
One other business-related update from that committee: The Moon Gazing Rabbit, winner of the business of the month award for November 2022, has decided to expand and is in the process of moving to a new location on the 800 block of West Main, and could soon seek help from the town toward a new frontage.
“They will likely be seeking a facade grant. Overall a great story, about a business that is expanding in the borough, and taking up another space on Main Street,” Yetter said.
Lansdale’s borough council next meets at 7 p .m. on March 18 and the economic development committee next meets at 6:30 p.m. on April 20, both at the borough municipal building, 1 Vine Street. For more information visit www.Lansdale.org.
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Editor's note: Tony Di Domizio, editor of North Penn Now of Fideri News Network, is an appointed member of the Lansdale Economic Development Committee.
