This week we take another step in the l-o-n-g process toward redevelopment of the Speedline station.

In cooperation with PATCO and the DRPA, the Borough is issuing a Request for Qualifications from development firms interested in developing the parking lots surrounding the station. This is another step in a process that started over 4 years ago with the “Heart of Collingswood” study funded by the Delaware Valley Planning Commission. That planning process involved hundreds of our citizens and laid out a framework for smart growth of our downtown. We are lucky enough to have a number of residents with expertise in various areas of the plan who have offered their technical assistance – and we will be taking them up on that!

The basic concept is that the Speedline parking lots have serious potential for development of structured parking, with office or residential development. The Speedline could be a great bookend to our Main Street, adding people to the life of the downtown to help the business district thrive. There are obviously many questions and obstacles that will require a lot of study and discussion.

Once we receive responses to the RFQ, we, along with PATCO, will select a smaller number of developers to submit formal proposals. From those proposals, a Redeveloper will be selected by the Borough and the DRPA to work with us in planning and developing the site.Our intention is to create something that blends with the Avenue, much like the Lumberyard, and to create new ratables to help ease the property tax burden and an asset to the life of our town. There will be more updates but this process will be slow. After all, we’re government! It’s against the law for us to move quickly! Contact me with any questions or comments.