Is The Train Station Heading East?

A fantastic picture of Parkesburg's train station taken by Tom Kelly IV of the Daily Local News

An article in this morning's Daily Local News regarding the debate being waged over the future of Parkesburg's century old train station and whether a better location for the proposed new station being planned by PennDOT would be a quarter mile to the east behind Borough Hall on the South and Rocco and Anna's on the north side of the tracks.

At stake are better access from Routes 10, 30 and 41, better lighting, better parking and a better crossover for train riders and pedestrians alike.

Read the article here.

The money quote comes from Borough Manager Jim Thomas:

"This is the last train station in Chester County next to Lancaster County.  For western Chester County and eastern Lancaster County, this is the transportation hub. It has easy access to routes 41, 30, 10 and 372."

Train Station Planning Update

Gerry Treadway and Mel Keen were just two of the many local residents working with PennDOT last week to develop ideas for the future of Parkesburg's train station

By Council President Mel Keen

Last week PennDOT and Baker Engineering were in Parkesburg for two presentations and two workshops to gather facts, history, needs, wants and wishes of the community as it relates to our train station.

Many train riders and residents participated in the three meetings, providing lots of information about traffic and neighborhoods. 

At the end of the three sessions, two locations for the train platform with a variety of parking scenarios seemed to stand out.  The first location is the area of Chestnut Street and the second in the area of Gay Street.  

PennDOT and Baker Engineering took all the info gathered back to Harrisburg to consider and  crunch numbers and engineering data all in an effort to calculate which location best meets state and local requirements.  When PennDOT reaches a conclusion it will be made public.

What is known at this point is several elements must be included in the plan.  First, an ADA cross-over must be implemented giving all persons, even those with handicaps, access to both east- and west-bound trains.    Second, train platforms must be raised to the level of a train's door and be at least 500 foot long on both sides of the tracks.  Third, at least 75 parking spots with improved lighting and a drop off area must be available with options for future parking spaces nearby.  Finally, access to the platforms by pedestrians, bikes, autos, and buses is a must as train ridership grows.

Just for the record here are answers to questions I've heard:

• SEPTA isn't part of this project.  
• The W. Bridge demolition and reconstruction is a separate project.
• Borough Council will not have a vote on the plan.
• Borough money will not be used for the project.
• PennDOT plans to announce their plans by the end of the year
• Once plans are announced it will take a couple of years to complete 

Last week was very much a work in progress. Its important to note nothing has been decided.

 

For more information on the initiative and to stay on top of developments residents are encouraged to check PennDot's PlanThe Keystone website

Planning Begins For Train Station Renovation

If you couldn't make the 'Plan the Keystone' session Tuesday evening, the first of three such sessions planned this week to flesh out the improvements the community wants to see in a train station, here's a quick summation of the discussion and a copy of the presentation.

 From the Plan The Keystone website, this description of Tuesday evening's discussion:

The Community Workshop for the Parkesburg Train Station Area began on the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 23.  Approximately 20 participants attended the opening-night presentation and workshop to talk about opportunities for improvement of the train station and downtown Parkesburg. 

The evening began with a presentation in which the project team and Bob Garrett of PennDOT discussed the importance of Parkesburg as a stop along the Keystone Corridor and preliminary project findings.  Participants then divided into small groups to discuss what they valued most about Parkesburg, including its small town character, facilities (library, park etc.), proximity to other urban areas, its history, and open space. They also discussed opportunities for the borough and train station including attracting more businesses, increasing connections and walkability, and encouraging SEPTA to expand service to the borough.

The groups then brainstormed ideas for three “themes” that emerged so far in the planning process: improve the station, connect the station to key Parkesburg assets, and improve mobility in Parkesburg.  The groups poured out a multitude of ideas and suggestions for potentially relocating the station or improving the existing station, improving ADA access, opportunities for East and West Bridge Street, and improving parking among many other suggestions.      

The day was a success and the project team looks forward to working with the public to develop concepts over the next two days. 

And the presentation used to kick off the evening's activities and get everybody thinking about the train stations future:

Parkesburg Train Station Renovation Planning Presentation

Public Input for Parkesburg Train Station Begins Today

           

This from the desk of Borough Council President Mel Keen:

The public is invited to Parkesburg Borough Hall this evening to learn about and share their ideas about PennDOT's upgrades to Parkesburg 'strain station.   

The schedule is:

• Tuesday, Aug. 23 – Parkesburg Borough Hall; 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – opening presentation.
• Wednesday, Aug. 24 - Parkesburg Borough Hall; 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - public workshop.
• Thursday, Aug. 25 - Parkesburg Borough Hall; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – final public presentation.         

The Parkesburg workshop is part of PennDOT’s larger planning effort, “Plan the Keystone,” which aims to involve the community to help enhance transit service and strengthen the communities served by the Keystone Line. 

Parkesburg Borough Hall is located at 315 West First Avenue, Building 1. There is a parking lot located behind the building with an entrance off South Gay Street.

Read more about the initiative here.

PennDOT Announces Train Station Planning Sessions

Thanks to State Senator Andy Dinniman for bringing the following press release from PennDOT seeking input on our train station's future to our attention.

News for Immediate Release
08/10/2011
PennDOT Invites Public Input for Parkesburg Train Station
KING OF PRUSSIA
PennDOT invites the public to take part in a multi-day workshop this month to discuss improvement plans for the Parkesburg train station. The station is located on the Keystone Corridor, which provides high-speed rail service between Harrisburg and Philadelphia. PennDOT, in partnership with Chester County Planning Commission and the Borough of Parkesburg, is seeking public input on ways to improve access, create a welcoming environment and improve station amenities. The workshop is part of an overall revitalization strategy for Parkesburg Borough, consistent with the borough’s 2009 Revitalization Plan. On Aug. 23, the public is invited to attend an opening presentation at Parkesburg Borough Hall to introduce the project and findings to date. The following days’ workshops will be held at the same location. Community members will have opportunities to share their thoughts on alternate station designs and a plan for the future station area. The full schedule is as follows: Tuesday, Aug. 23 – Parkesburg Borough Hall; 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – opening presentation. Wednesday, Aug. 24 - Parkesburg Borough Hall; 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - public workshop. Thursday, Aug. 25 - Parkesburg Borough Hall; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – final public presentation. Parkesburg Borough Hall is located at 315 West First Avenue, Building 1. There is a parking lot located behind the building with an entrance off South Gay Street. The current Parkesburg station does not comply with federal Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. The workshop will address this issue and explore potential methods to further enhance the station and its surroundings during this project. The Parkesburg workshop is part of PennDOT’s larger planning effort, “Plan the Keystone,” which aims to involve the community to help enhance transit service and strengthen the communities served by the Keystone Line. Community members can participate in person at public workshops, or contribute their ideas through the “Plan the Keystone” website at www.planthekeystone.com.

Highway Safety Survey

PennDOT is conducting a survey of licensed Pennsylvania drivers relating to several highway safety topics and would appreciate your time and honesty in answering the questions.

Your answers will be anonymous and help PennDOT better identify Pennsylvania´s highway safety needs.

The survey asking questions about speeding, texting while driving, driving while drunk and wearing seat belts is here.

After 2 Trains, No Parking at 'Burg Station

Philadelphia-bound platform at Downingtown Station built after the original station building burned to the ground in 1990

Parkesburg received prominent mention in a Daily Local News article when Atglen native and Special Projects Coordinator for PennDOT, Bob Garrett, told Downingtown Borough Council last week,

"From Parkesburg east after 7 a.m., all stations are out of parking. We would like to upgrade the stations and make more parking available."

Garrett, who is also helping Parkesburg upgrade its train station, asked Downingtown to conduct a feasibility study to find a new locations for its new train stations.

Seems the existing location, since its located on a curve in the tracks, can't support the installation of handicap accessible platforms.

Alternative sites being considered include a site west of the current station on Lancaster Avenue and an area in the River Station development near Boot Road and Brandywine Avenue.

You can read the entire article in today's Daily Local here.