RECONNECTIONS

“Reconnecting the people of North Coventry
Township and Pottstown Borough with each other and
their Schuylkill River Heritage”
July 2004

The Reconnections project examines the potential physical, economic, social, heritage and aesthetic connections between Pottstown and North Coventry. The plan focuses on the Schuylkill River as the “heart” of each community’s shared history. The two municipalities formed a joint committee, obtained state and local funding, and retained a consultant team to assist them to identify obstacles in reconnecting the communities and to find solutions toward achieving the study’s goals. The planning process and resultant plan and recommendations indicate many shared concerns that point to the advantages of continuing the dialogue and cooperation fostered
by this effort.
Major physical improvement recommendations include:

• Enhancements to the Hanover Street Bridge to create a functional and symbolic link and gateway for both communities;

• Establishment of the River Road Trail from the Hanover Street Bridge to River Park in North Coventry;

• Other improvements along Hanover Street, Laurelwood Road and Rt. 724 to create more attractive and walkable links between the Borough and the Coventry Mall;

• Conversion of the existing unused railroad trestle into a pedestrian bridge across the river to connect River Park and Riverfront Park;

Prepared for:
Borough of Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
North Coventry Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Steering Committee Members:
Lynn Benensky, Staff, Pottstown Borough
Judy Comishock, Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority
Ronald Downie, Pottstown Borough Council
David Downs, Schuylkill River Greenway Association
Jay Erb, Chairman, Parks and Recreation, North Coventry Township
Jim Fairchild, Director Economic Development, Pottstown Borough
Art Green, Pottstown Borough Council
Kevin Hennessey, Manager, North Coventry Township
Tom Hylton, Chairman, Planning Commission, Pottstown Borough
Rob Ihlein, Assistant Manager, Pottstown Borough
Bud Jenschke, Supervisor, North Coventry Township
Jack Layne, Manager, Pottstown Borough
Ginamarie Mangano, Planner, Montgomery County Planning Commission
Andy Paravis, Supervisor, North Coventry Township
John Wofington, Developer, Mrs. Smith Site
Funding for this Master Plan report provided by:
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)
through the Schuylkill River State Heritage Area
John Wofington, Developer
North Coventry Township
Borough of Pottstown

This study was prepared by:
SIMONE JAFFE COLLINS
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
511 OLD LANCASTER ROAD • BERWYN, PA 19312
610-889-0348 • FAX 610-889-7521
www.simonejaffecollins.com
With:
Urban Partners, Inc.
829 Spruce Street
Suite 204
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-829-1906 FAX 215-829-1906

Below is the final report detailing the Reconnections conceptual plan by North Coventry Township and Pottstown Borough.

Table of Contents (PDF file)
Chapter One- Introduction (PDF file)
Chapter Two- Physical Inventory (PDF file)
Chapter Three- Recommendations (PDF file)
Chapter Four- Potential Funding (PDF file)
Chapter Five- Appendix (PDF file)

Comments on the draft plan should be directed to Peter Simone at psimone@simonejaffecollins.com

NOTE:  These links contain .PDF files
which require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print.