Collegeville Begins Downtown Revitalization Study

The Collegeville Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) has hired a prominent downtown revitalization consultant to conduct a market assessment and identify opportunities for economic growth within Collegeville.  The consultant, JGSC Group of Merchantville, New Jersey, has extensive experience in the analysis of downtown markets and the formation of strategies to stimulate economic growth in commercial districts.  They have conducted their Community InsightsSM program in 66 communities across eight states, with a focus on communities in the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas.

A primary goal of their Community InsightsSM program will be to further the efforts of the Collegeville Main Street Program. Specifically, JGSC will focus on assessing the market, gauging consumer preferences and identifying growth potential for retail goods and services.  This is an important step in our efforts to revitalize downtown Collegeville,” said Debbie Riegner, President of the CEDC.

In the coming months, JGSC Group will conduct a consumer preferences survey of the people who live, work, shop, study, and visit the Collegeville area to understand which types of stores, restaurants and businesses they want. Before launching the survey, JGSC will seek input from government and civic leaders, business and commercial property owners, and other key stakeholders.  A field team will begin work the week of  July 5th to conduct evaluations of commercial buildings to recommend ways they could better function for retail use.

Work is commencing immediately and the overall effort will take about 6 to 7 months to complete.  Public presentations, such as recent kick off meeting held at Bomberger Hall at Ursinus College will be conducted at various stages throughout the process.

JGSC was selected as a result of a competitive bid process based on a RFP issued by the Collegeville Main Street Program in 2009.  Funding has been provided, in part, by grants from the Borough of Collegeville and Ursinus College.

For more information on the market assessment or for information on the Collegeville Main Street Program, please contact Linda Flederbach, Main Street Manager, at (610) 454-1050, or e-mail manager@collegevilledevelopment.org.