Economic Restructuring

Economic Restructuring Committee

The Economic Restructuring Committee identifies economic development strategies for downtown Quakertown, gathers market research, promotes new uses for historic commercial buildings and encourages investment in downtown properties and businesses. We have been working more closely with the borough in this area this year and are starting to see some momentum building as more people offer their assistance with this mission.

The committee was formerly chaired by past president Scott Soost and is now being run by Mike Cygan, a board member and active participant in redevelopment projects on Front Street, Hellertown Avenue and other locations.

If you are interested in participating, please call our office at the Quakertown train station 215-536-2273 so we can notify you of upcoming meetings.

Program Updates

Landlord/Tenant Ordinance

Senator Rob Wonderling’s office, has undertaken a survey and analysis of how other municipalities handle these issues. In the fall of 2006, QA! recommended that Borough council develop commercial and residential rental ordinances that would include the following three aspects: 1) Registration, 2) Inspection, 3) Education. Jim Roth presented a final report from the committee to Borough Council on April 28th. Council will now decide how to proceed.

Revised Parking Ordinance

To foster the growth of new businesses in our downtown, QA! proposed a change in 2006 in the ordinance for required parking. The Bucks County Planning Commission reviewed the proposed change and offered its support. The amendment was adopted and did away with off-street parking requirements for new restaurants, taverns, retail or general merchandise stores.This action has made it easier for restaurants to locate in the downtown.

Street Enhancements

We envision facade improvements for certain sections of town that will beautify the street and present opportunities for new businesses in town. Front Street has already undergone renovations which will create better living spaces for local residents and potentially new office or retail sites for others. This is a work in progress as we take one step at a time and build a consensus for the best methods for improving these areas.

If you would like to voice your opinion or become more actively involved, please let us know.

"Independent America" Documentary Speaks Out for Mom & Pop's

A documentary written and created by husband and wife team Hanson Hosein and Heather Hughes, released in late 2006, has been creating a lot of discussion across the country.

An investigative news team known as “Hot Zone” and featured online by Yahoo News!, recently interviewed Hosein for a three-part story on the documentary revealing a national concern and one that may apply to Quakertown as well.

Filmmakers Hanson Hosein and Heather Hughes set off on a cross-country journey with a goal of shunning "big box" outlets and chain stores. The motivation for the idea came from the fact that Hosein had lived in Paris, Tel Aviv or New York all of his adult life and had never realized how important his relationships were with independent businesses. Not at least until he moved to a remote location in Canada and saw the proliferation of “big box” retailers and realized how much he hated their dominance of the local culture. Continue↓


July 3, 2008

Committees Design Economic Restructuring • Events Organization POM	Economic Restructuring Economic Restructuring Committee The Economic Restructuring Committee identifies economic development strategies for downtown Quakertown, gathers market research, promotes new uses for historic commercial buildings and encourages investment in downtown properties and businesses. We have been working more closely with the borough in this area this year and are starting to see some momentum building as more people offer their assistance with this mission. The committee was formerly chaired by past president Scott Soost and is now being run by Mike Cygan, a board member and active participant in redevelopment projects on Front Street, Hellertown Avenue and other locations. If you are interested in participating, please call our office at the Quakertown train station 215-536-2273 so we can notify you of upcoming meetings. Program Updates Landlord/Tenant Ordinance Senator Rob Wonderling’s office, has undertaken a survey and analysis of how other municipalities handle these issues. In the fall of 2006, QA! recommended that Borough council develop commercial and residential rental ordinances that would include the following three aspects: 1) Registration, 2) Inspection, 3) Education. Jim Roth presented a final report from the committee to Borough Council on April 28th. Council will now decide how to proceed. Revised Parking Ordinance To foster the growth of new businesses in our downtown, QA! proposed a change in 2006 in the ordinance for required parking. The Bucks County Planning Commission reviewed the proposed change and offered its support. The amendment was adopted and did away with off-street parking requirements for new restaurants, taverns, retail or general merchandise stores.This action has made it easier for restaurants to locate in the downtown. Street Enhancements We envision facade improvements for certain sections of town that will beautify the street and present opportunities for new businesses in town. Front Street has already undergone renovations which will create better living spaces for local residents and potentially new office or retail sites for others. This is a work in progress as we take one step at a time and build a consensus for the best methods for improving these areas. If you would like to voice your opinion or become more actively involved, please let us know. "Independent America" Documentary Speaks Out for Mom & Pop's A documentary written and created by husband and wife team Hanson Hosein and Heather Hughes, released in late 2006, has been creating a lot of discussion across the country. An investigative news team known as “Hot Zone” and featured online by Yahoo News!, recently interviewed Hosein for a three-part story on the documentary revealing a national concern and one that may apply to Quakertown as well. Filmmakers Hanson Hosein and Heather Hughes set off on a cross-country journey with a goal of shunning "big box" outlets and chain stores. The motivation for the idea came from the fact that Hosein had lived in Paris, Tel Aviv or New York all of his adult life and had never realized how important his relationships were with independent businesses. Not at least until he moved to a remote location in Canada and saw the proliferation of “big box” retailers and realized how much he hated their dominance of the local culture. Continue↓ Next Meeting: July. Check back for updates.

Economic Restructuring

Economic Restructuring Committee

Program Updates

"Independent America" Documentary Speaks Out for Mom & Pop's

A documentary written and created by husband and wife team Hanson Hosein and Heather Hughes, released in late 2006, has been creating a lot of discussion across the country.

Next Meeting: July. Check back for updates.