Miscellaneous

There was standing room only Wednesday night as the Lansdale Parking Authority took a look at the latest sketch plans for the Madison Lot.   Developer Equus Capital Partners wants to put up two multi-story buildings with 250 high end apartment units and almost 20,000 square feet of retail space between them.   The buildings would be constructed one at a time to avoid saturating the market.   A parking garage is also part of the vision for the seven-and-a-half acre site but only after the larger of the two apartment buildings is finished.   The Parking Authority will vote on the plans March 27th.

A Giant-to-Go could be coming in Montgomery Township.   That's a convenience store with gasoline pumps operated by Giant Food Stores.   The township supervisors Monday night granted conditional use approval for fuel sales at the one proposed in the vacant retail strip center adjacent the old Schoolhouse Fabric Store on Bethlehem Pike near Five Points.   It would measure 5,000 square feet and have ten gasoline filling stations.   The vacant building currently on the 2.25 acre site would be demolished as part of its redevelopment.   The project must still get land development approval from the township supervisors before construction can begin.

Lansdale Borough Council Wednesday night approved contracts with the architect that will design the new municipal complex on Vine Street as well as draw up plans for finishing rennovations at the old Performing Arts Center on West Main Street.   Spiezle Architectural Group also assessed borough facilities last year and concluded the police station needs alot more room and Borough Hall is in an extreme state of disrepair.   Borough Council members Jack Hansen and Rich DiGregorio voted against approval of the contracts because they were not put out for bid.   Borough Council also voted to apply for a $500,000 state grant that would be used for rennovations at the old Performing Arts Center.   A contract was also approved for the consultant that will develop programming and a business plan for the Community Arts and Cultural Center that is replacing the old Performing Arts Center.  

A dog park could be in the works for Whitpain.   A committee of community residents Tuesday night proposed building a place for dogs to run off leash in the new Center Square Park near Saint Helena Catholic Church.   It would measure at least five acres and have separate areas for large and small dogs.   Donations would be sought for the initial $45,000 startup costs while membership fees, special events and more fundraising would cover operational expenses.   The township supervisors have approved spending $5,000 from the parks and open space capital budget to develop plans for the dog park.   Since the idea is to have a self supporting facility, that money will be put back after fundraisng begins.