The last train left Reading for Philadelphia in 1981. But significant efforts are underway to restore passenger train service to Berks County. AMTRAK has optimistically suggested that if federal funding becomes available through the proposed Federal Infrastructure Program that you could catch a train to Philly as early as 2025.
While most of the focus has been on restoring the station in Reading, there has also been interest in locating stops in Birdsboro and Wyomissing. What will restoring this service mean for the places where the stations are located? We know from the recent studies that restoring rail service will have an impact on community and economic development. That it will foster development and increase property values. But what else does it mean? What can we learn from other communities?
First and foremost, we know we need to plan, be intelligent and to be intentional about what we want the community to look like for current and future members of the community.
From what we can learn from other communities, we know that the greatest impact will be within a be a half mile radius of the station. The station and the rail service can be a catalyst for development while establishing an opportunity to create a sense of place. It can encourage restaurants, commercial businesses, and offices to locate near the station. It can stimulate a variety of housing alternatives. The planning process needs to engage the entire community and minimize the disruptive impact that it could have on neighborhoods. How can it create more and better living spaces across the spectrum of affordable, attainable and market rate housing, so that the develop is an upgrade for everyone living and working in the area? The process must consider the variety of ways people will access the trains, including parking, public transportation, bikes and even pedestrians. Because the trains will bring passengers to Berks County, plans must be considered for introducing these people to our community and helping them find their way.
As the studies have noted, restoring passenger rail service will have a significant economic impact on the community, creating new jobs, stimulating business development and enhancing property values, each increasing local tax revenues. Many communities have captured the potential increases in taxes to help pay for the improvements to the stations, the raillines and the nearby neighborhoods.
For 25 years, Rail~Volution has helped communities across the country plan for and address the development that transit oriented projects create. On November 18th, they will bring that expertise to Berks County.
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