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Tax Increment Financing
On February 28th, 2008, the Upper Moreland School District Board and the Township Board of Commissioners held a joint workshop to learn more about tax increment financing (TIF).
Meeting Agenda (pdf)
The Board members and Commissioners listened to presentations from Jody Holton the Redevelopment Director for Upper Moreland Township and Bruce Nicholson from the Montgomery County Redevelopment Authority.
Jody provided an overview of the Township's redevelopment efforts to date and why TIF could be a key financing tool to move redevelopment forward.
Presentation (pdf)
Memorandum (pdf)
Bruce described what TIF is and how it works.
RDA TIF Presentation (pdf)
He also provided a summary of TIF and an example of non-binding TIF guidelines.
TIF Summary and Guidelines (pdf)
At the conclusion of the workshop, Stacey Efkowitz, Township Board President, and Mark Wenik, School Board President, agreed to form a TIF committee, which would consist of members of both boards and others, to draft TIF guidelines.
Memorial Park Drive and Gateway
Coming soon in fall 2008! One of the first projects listed in the 2003 Willow Grove Revitalization and Redevelopment Plan is a new road, Memorial Park Drive. This road will directly connect the downtown with Memorial Park and the Willow Grove train station. The road will be beautifully landscaped with a public plaza in the heart of downtown Willow Grove with seating and a fountain.
Construction will begin in spring 2008 and a grand opening is slated for fall of 2008.
Gateway Design Plans (pdf)
Memorial Park Drive Construction Grant (pdf)
Old York Road Streetscape
In spring 2007, the Township applied for and won a grant from Montgomery County to construct new streetscaping for one block along Old York Road. This is a pilot project to demonstrate how new furnishings and sidewalk can improve the appearance downtown. The new streetscaping will begin at the yet to be constructed Memorial Park Drive and continue to Davisville Road and the train station area. It should improve pedestrian access to and from the train station.
Old York Road Streetscape Project Description (pdf)
Future Projects Planned
The Township will be involved in a multi-municipal planning effort led by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission for the 611 corridor.
The Redevelopment Committee would like to implement other projects to encourage the revitalization of Willow Grove. Some ideas include an Architectural Design Review Board, a Business Association/District, façade improvement incentives, community events such as a Downtown Willow Grove Day, and more. We encourage you to send your ideas for Willow Grove to us. Please see our Contact Us page.