Phoenixville Speaks Out: What Needs To Be Changed

Descending toward the riverbank you pass through leafy streets, garden terraces, quaint and quiet winding alleyways that lead to back entrances of shops and cafes.

In a courtyard a man plays a harmonica and serenades a passing gaggle of early evening strollers. By a corner bar, patrons sit on metal chairs and drink from cold glasses, watching dusk settle across the borough.

In the near distance, on a quiet night, you can almost hear the river moving.

To an outsider, Phoenixville may seem like a suburban idyll. But no place is perfect. And there is still room for improvement, even in Phoenixville.

We recently took to the Phoenixville Patch Facebook page to learn what needs to be changed or improved in the borough, and to help start important conversations that lead to tangible changes.

The safety of the nationally renown Schuylkill River Trail was a common issue.

“(There needs to be) some way to make the trail not a scary place to want to walk or run,” said Marissa DiCindio. “Going back there alone with only a large field on one side and a bank down to the water on the other, coupled with scary people that “hang out” back there makes it completely uninviting.”

DiCindio recommended cameras or emergency phones be installed along the trail to give walkers and joggers a sense of peace of mind.

She’s not the only one who has brought up issues of trail safety.

Robin Carroll Ambroziak specifically noted “crime on the trail” as the one thing she would change about Phoenixville.

The Phoenixville Police Department cited three cases of males either drinking alcohol or selling it to minors on the trail, which could be seen as a sign that parts of the trail are a haven for less than legal activities.

Parking was another contentious issue. Residents complained not only of having nowhere to park, but the way town businesses and authorities were handling the situation.

“Parking is a huge issue on and around Bridge Street,” said Jackie Plasky Pfriender. “What really gets my blood boiling is when places like Stable 12 Brewing charges $20 to park in their empty lot. Not very small town friendly is you ask me. ”

Pfriender compared the parking prices to what needs to be paid at the sports stadiums in Philadelphia, and suggested that an affordable parking garage be constructed. The sentiment was echoed by Rob McClimon, who also advised that a parking garage should be built.

Nearby boroughs with bustling downtowns that face similar parking issues, like West Chester, have multiple public parking garages.

The parking situation has become so severe that it is scaring away visitors.

“I live in Oaks and rarely go (to Phoenixville),” said Lori Dark McGee. “It is too much trouble to park.”

“How will anyone patronize the businesses in town with no place to park?” posited Sherry Joyce Cockerham.

Cockerham fears that the new apartments being constructed are going to make the parking situation even worse.

Some residents pointed towards abandoned lots as solutions to the parking crisis.

“It’s annoying too how the old dollar tree lot is closed off,” said Christine Keyes. “If no one owns it right now, let us park there.”

The most common refrain by far, however, has been the traffic that has swamped the borough ever since the Route 23 Bridge was closed in April.

“If you attempt to go to town in rush hour, you cannot get there,” said Dennis Pazicni. “If we ever have to evacuate, we are doomed. With the bridge/dam being out, forget trying to get to town anytime after 3:30.”

“Unless you want to risk your life on 422,” he added.

The bridge is not the only traffic issue in town, as 17 miles of state highway are being repaved repaired near Phoenixville over the coming months, leading to additional delays.

“What do they think? ’Well that town’s already screwed. What’s a little more?’” asked Joseph Dirt.

No residents mentioned road quality or repaving as issues that needed to be fixed.

DID WE FORGET SOMETHING? Was your issue not brought up? Let’s keep the conversation going with some feedback in the comments section below or on the Phoenixville Patch Facebook page.

Contact your local lawmakers about issues brought up in this article: State Sen. Andy Dinimman or PA State Rep. Warren Kampf.