The Walking Life

Like many traditional Pennsylvania towns, Pottstown was designed to encourage walking. This article describes how Pottstown has preserved its pedestrian-friendly and historic character. Public-private partnerships have been crucial in planting and maintaining street trees and having most of the downtown area designated as a historic district. The latter initiative allows developers to qualify for tax credits to restore buildings. In 2003, the town replaced its conventional zoning ordinance with one designed to reinforce its historic development pattern. The ordinance has created a conservation district that extends through all of the downtown and residential neighborhoods and requires new construction to be compatible with existing architecture. Back-in angle parking has been placed on one side of the town's main street to increase the number of parking spaces in the shopping district. Eliminating a travel lane in each direction of the same street makes crossing the street easier for shoppers and has also created space for bicycle lanes. To encourage more people to cycle around town, the local chamber of commerce is placing free bicycles in several strategic spots downtown. These initiatives have been instrumental in keeping Pottstown a livable and desirable community.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1762461
• Authors:
  • Hylton, Thomas
• Publication Date: 2007-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Serial:
  • Planning
  • Volume: 73
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: American Planning Association
  • ISSN: 0001-2610
  • Serial URL: http://www.planning.org

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bicycle lanes; Bicycles; Case studies; Central business districts; City planning; Conservation; Historic preservation; Livability; Neighborhoods; Parking facilities; Pedestrian areas; Public private partnerships; Towns; Trees; Zoning
• Geographic Terms: Pottstown (Pennsylvania)
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; History; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Terminals and Facilities; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01046559
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 7 2007 7:40PM