Briggs announces Commonwealth Finance Authority grants for region

Rep. Tim Briggs    March 16, 2023 | 4:24 PM

HARRISBURG, March 16 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, announced that the Commonwealth Financing Authority approved over $2.1 million in grant funding for the 149th Legislative District.

“These grants make our community more safe, sustainable, and accessible for everyone in the district. In addition to improving trails and intersections, this funding will provide for a rooftop garden on Mainline Hospital, improvements to the Union Fire Building, renovations to the New Horizons Senior Center, and a street sweeper for Upper Merion Township. I’m happy to have advocated for and see local projects that support so many of our residents receive funding,” Briggs said.

The following projects received funding:

  • Montgomery County Redevelopment Authority - Construction of a rooftop farm/garden at the medical facility located in Upper Merion Township: $1 million
    • The Women's Specialty Center at King of Prussia was opened in 2020 as a specialty outpatient and wellness care facility with a focus on preventative, diagnostic, and treatment needs of women. The proposed project will construct a 6,500 SF rooftop farm/garden and an outdoor kitchen/café area for food preparation, education, and storage. The rooftop farm will be a tremendous asset to promote wellness education, help individuals suffering from food insecurity, and improve health care quality.

  • Lower Merion Township – Ashbridge House by New Horizons: $500,000
    • The proposed project will consist of interior renovations and a new addition to accommodate the proposed occupancy of Ashbridge House by New Horizons. Additional improvements will include the installation of an elevator and accessible toilet facilities on two levels. When the renovation/addition is completed, New Horizons Senior Center will have a permanent home for them to continue to serve senior citizens in Lower Merion Township and Narberth Borough.

  • Upper Merion Township - Street Sweeper: $298,210
    • Upper Merion Township has over 170 lane miles of municipal roads and 110 lane miles of state roads. The proposed project will purchase a street sweeper that would be deployed after storm events to remove debris that has accumulated around inlets and other stormwater assets, ensuring the proper conveyance of stormwater, and preventing debris from migrating into the township’s watersheds.

  • Upper Merion Township - First Avenue Linear Park - $250,000  
    • Upper Merion Township has been awarded funding from the Multimodal Transportation Fund towards the construction of a multi-use trail along First Avenue.

  • Upper Merion Township - Crow Creek and Schuylkill River West Trail Extension Amenities and Scenic Overlook Project: $40,565
    • The Crow Creek Trail is designed as a multi-use trail running along the Crow Creek corridor. The trail connects multiple township assets starting at Walker Park, connecting the Upper Merion High and Middle schools and ties directly into a portion of the Schuylkill River West Trail that currently connects Bob Case and Heuser Park.  The proposed project will purchase benches, trees, trash receptacles, bike racks, pet waste stations, and infographic signs at strategic points along the trail. 

  • Upper Merion Township - Henderson Road Pedestrian Crossing: $44,612.

  • Lower Merion Township - Ardmore Business District Authority: $27,125
    • The Ardmore Initiative previously purchased and installed 27 custom lights along Main Street of the Business District. The Ardmore Initiative is requesting funding to purchase 31 additional lights and mounting brackets to complete the lighting project. The lights will be placed on every street in the downtown business district including Lancaster Avenue and side streets, visibly branding downtown Ardmore as a destination.

The grants were awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, which oversees the state’s distribution of gaming revenues to support public projects.

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