Technology
Commissary
Fitness Center
Child Care
Student Lounge
Faculty Lounge
Meeting Rooms
Cyber Cafe'
Parking
About PEC
Phoenixville, a College Town?
The following article appeared in
The Phoenix on July 14, 2006.
By Karen Williams
PHOENIXVILLE - The owners of the former Polychem building on the borough's
North Side are working on an idea that may turn Phoenixville into a town
with more than one institution of higher learning.
Maybe a lot more.
Marian and David Moskowitz, developers responsible for the construction of
several homes on the North Side, as well as Northridge Village, purchased the
vacant Polychem building in March.
Since the purchase, they have considered several concepts, including converting
the existing building - which has housed everything from a silk mill to a carpet-padding
manufacturer - into residential condominiums or finding an industrial company
to move in and set up shop.
But a third idea, one that the Moskowitzes have been unable to find in existence
anywhere in the country, was the one that made it to top of the developers'
to-do list. Marian Moskowitz, president of the newly-created company Palma
Inc., said she and her husband are currently trying to attract colleges and
universities from across the country to set up programs within the 225,000-square-foot
building.
Each educational institution would have its own area of the building in which
it would hold classes - something akin to a satellite campus. But rather than
just having one college in the building, the Moskowitzes have created the concept
of a multi-college campus - several higher-education facilities housed within
a
single building. To better explain the concept, Marian Moskowitz compared the
plan to a shopping mall, which contains a variety of stores and shops, all
of which share common areas such as restrooms and food courts.
In much the same way, each college would have private space within the building
but would share common areas such as a fitness center, student and faculty
lounges, computer and study areas, a cafeteria and possibly even a day care.
"We believe in education," Marian Moskowitz said. "We
know it's hard to find universities, colleges and technical schools in
this area, and we know Chester County has no community college. We thought
if we set up a structure where colleges could come together with programs
and would be able to share facilities, it would be more convenient for
everyone."
Citing her own experience with going back to school, Marian Moskowitz said
it is inconvenient and often difficult to travel long distances, especially
for someone with children, who has to attend night classes.
Marian Moskowitz said the higher-education institutions in the immediate area,
Ursinus College and Valley Forge Christian College, are wonderful, but she
and her husband want to offer more to the residents of the area.
The proposed education institute, dubbed Franklin Commons, is situated in an
area that would make it very convenient to both commuters and borough residents
alike without causing a major traffic problem, she said; its close proximity
to Routes 422, 113, 23, 29, 202 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike would make it
convenient for those outside the borough to attend.
Franklin Commons will border Fillmore Village, a proposed retail and residential
development located off Fillmore Street.
The Moskowitzes presented sketch plans for Fillmore Village to the borough
in September.
Marian Moskowitz said detailed plans for the development should
be submitted by the end of July.
While there will be an increased flow of traffic into Phoenixville from both
planned projects, Marian Moskowitz said it will come along the proposed Northern
Relief Route, which will provide a more direct route into and out of the borough
by way of Fillmore Street.
Marian Moskowitz said the Franklin Commons site is part of the Light Industrial/Commercial/Office
(LICO) District, under which educational facilities are permitted. Parking
will not be a problem either, she said, as there are multiple lots, one of
which can hold about 200 cars.
"The Moskowitzes have not yet presented plans to the borough, but will take
that step in the future. Marian Moskowitz stressed that the plan for the facility
is still being developed.
"
We have a long way to go," she said.
But already, several colleges and universities have been through the building
and have expressed interest in the concept.
In August, the developers will be opening the building for tours to higher-education
facilities that may be interested in beginning a program in Phoenixville.
"
It is our hope to have tenants in the building by the Fall semester of 2007,"
Marian Moskowitz said.
For more information, contact Marian Moskowitz at franklincommons-@gmail.com.
Phoenixville Educational Campus
at Franklin Commons
400 Franklin Avenue
Phoenixville
PA 19460
610-640-9790
Fax: 610-640-9795