Reading’s discussion of transit-oriented development around a future passenger rail station feels like putting the cart before the horse.
The reality is that passenger rail service to Reading remains a distant prospect. Studies conducted just a few years ago estimated costs in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Adjusted for inflation and the inevitable cost overruns on major rail projects, the price tag closes in on $2 billion. I see no indication that sufficient funding is anywhere close to being secured.
Reading has more immediate concerns. Before reshaping downtown around trains that may not arrive, leaders should focus on making downtown cleaner, safer and more inviting. Too much of Penn Street remains dominated by loitering, disorderly behavior and conditions that discourage visitors from spending time there.
Many longtime residents remember the urban renewal projects of the 1970s that led to the closure of Penn Street in the name of creating a pedestrian-friendly environment. The results fell far short of the promises as the area turned into empty storefronts and abandoned buildings.
The proposal to reduce or eliminate parking requirements should also be approached with caution. Reducing parking availability will create more problems than it solves, particularly in an area where nearly all residents and visitors still rely on cars for daily transportation.
Downtown Reading does not need another vision built around speculative unfunded future projects. It needs safe streets, clean sidewalks, thriving businesses and visible enforcement of quality-of-life standards today.
Andrew Price
Lower Heidelberg Township