Top Story
Event Recap: Approaches to Community Engagement – CBA’s and Beyond
Navigating the Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) Process panel brought together three different perspectives in negotiating CBAs.
February 3, 2021
ULI Philadelphia released its Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) Report on February 3, 2021, summarizing recommendations to encourage responsible growth that results in a unique suburban town center identity for the Crossroads area in Exton, PA. The report concludes a study comprised of a two-day convening of real estate professionals, urban planners and other experts, as well as interviews with key stakeholders.
The interdisciplinary panel of volunteer experts, at the request of West Whiteland Township, explored how strategic interventions could engage and leverage the historic, retail, transit and recreational resources to create a connected area whose sum is greater than its parts. The report identifies both short-term and long-term recommendations, that include:
The Crossroads, located in Chester County, Pennsylvania date back to the 1800s, where the Reading, Chester Valley and Pennsylvania Railroads connected to form a nexus of transportation and commerce. Today, the area is defined by the intersection of US Route 30 and PA Route 100, accommodating 28,000 cars daily, and home to seven retail centers offering a spectrum of shopping, services and dining options.
John Weller, Director of Planning / Zoning Officer for West Whiteland Township said “The panel was not only experienced and highly professional but was genuinely interested in our community and excited about the opportunity to learn about it and to advise on how we could move forward. The Panel’s final presentation demonstrated how quickly they were able to get the feel of who we are and included thoughtful and practical recommendations.”
Chaired by Liz Gabor, Vice President, The Goldenberg Group and Nando Micale, Principal, LRK Architects, the panel concludes that the Crossroads has potential to become a unique and unified suburban town center that encourages a diverse housing stock, multimodal transportation options, and an attractive retail mix; with an identity all its own.
ULI Expert Volunteer Panel:
Study Stakeholders:
Don’t have an account? Sign up for a ULI guest account.