Collingswood Borough is taking a major step in its continuing efforts to redevelop near its transit station. In partnership with the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) and Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO), the borough this spring issued a request for qualifications and expressions of interest (RFQ/RFEI) for a master redeveloper of the Collingswood Station Transit Village. The transit village is a 9.1-acre site, an area designated as “in need of redevelopment,” situated between Lees and Homestead avenues along Haddon Avenue, the borough’s main thoroughfare.
In 2007, the DRPA chose Collingswood to be the first stop along the PATCO High-Speed Line to redevelop the station area with TOD principles. The DRPA owns 7.6 acres of the site, including both the station and the adjacent surface parking lot. Other properties currently include commercial, retail and office uses (see map below).
On April 10th, more than 80 people attended an information session detailing the project. The borough received a total of 15 applications by the May 15th due date. Qualified firms will be asked to submit redevelopment proposals for the large surface parking lot and adjacent properties located north of the station.
The borough’s goal is to enhance its successful downtown district and to provide amenities to residents, commuters and visitors alike through additional services. The DRPA and PATCO want to increase ridership and to add to passengers’ overall experience. To achieve these goals, proposals will need to provide new structured parking for 800 cars at the station.
This is the second project in Collingswood’s transit-oriented development program of intensive mixed-use development. The first project, The Lumber Yard, located less than a half-mile from the station, will ultimately consist of 119 residential and 19 commercial units. All 41 residences and 12 commercial units of that project’s first phase have been sold; most of the retail units are occupied. Phase two of the project is currently under construction with occupancy expected in early 2009.
