City Council at its regular meeting Monday approved a series of measures affecting economic development, infrastructure and housing programs.<\/p>\n
Among the actions, council unanimously appointed local businessman and retired executive Michael Fromm to fill an unexpired term on the City Revitalization and Improvement Zone Authority board through Sept. 9, 2027.<\/p>\n
Fromm, a lifelong Reading resident and former CEO of Fromm Electric Supply Corp., told council that he hopes to help advance investment and redevelopment efforts throughout the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cReading represents one of our best opportunities to attract investment that will not only drive commerce but will also accelerate the revitalization efforts that we can all be proud of,\u201d Fromm said.<\/p>\n
Council members praised Fromm\u2019s extensive civic involvement and business experience before voting to approve the appointment.<\/p>\n
Council also approved two ordinances establishing a transit-oriented development overlay district and related subdivision and land development regulations. Supporters said the measures are intended to encourage redevelopment and investment in the downtown area and around transportation corridors.<\/p>\n
Reading considers transit-oriented development plan for downtown<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s a good movement towards redeveloping downtown Reading, which is the most necessary thing I think any of us can do here,\u201d Councilman Raymond Baker said.<\/p>\n In other action, council approved a lengthy consent agenda that included three contracts totaling more than $2.6 million for the Healthy Homes and Older Adults Home Modification Program.<\/p>\n The contracts combine the two federally funded housing improvement initiatives.<\/p>\n The city received bids from three licensed, bonded and insured contractors:<\/p>\n \u2022 Care Property Services Inc., Hanover, York County.<\/p>\n \u2022 Penn Lead Solutions, Lititz, Lancaster County.<\/p>\n \u2022 Purcell Construction Company, Denver, Lancaster County.<\/p>\n The work will be funded through Community Development accounts, including funding streams from both programs.<\/p>\n Council also approved submission of a state Multimodal Transportation Fund grant application seeking $2.017 million for parking improvements in the 500 block of Penn Street, with a required local match of $606,253 that would be included in the city\u2019s 2027 Facilities Construction Fund budget if the grant is awarded.<\/p>\n The city in February applied to PennDOT for a similar grant for parking upgrades in the 400 block of Penn Street. That grant will be used to convert several existing bus-bay configurations, expanding parking in the block to 67 spaces from 25.<\/p>\n