Media weighs economic development, and its future

MEDIA » So how is the economy in the county seat? About 40 people showed up at a recent forum to find out. The study council commissioned earlier this year delivered initial results of their look at business in the borough. Many of those stakeholders had already been part of focus groups, surveys and various types of input.

The project was to develop an Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan to maintain and promote the economic health of the borough, and provide action steps over the next five to 10 years. The team was comprised of Econsult Solutions, Inc., JVM Studio of Philadelphia and The Riddle Company, a Washington, D.C.-based retail consulting practice. The team coordinator was Brittany Forman, coincidentally a borough resident.

The findings are still in a draft form sent to council, but Econsult’s Peter Angelides started with the comment, “Media is in really good shape. It’s the kind of place that everyone wants to be.”

While that is a favorable outlook — and one which most residents recognize — it presents the very challenges created by the need to grown and change. Although the study considered the whole of the borough, less than 1 square mile with about 5,300 residents, the focus was on the business district of State Street and Baltimore Avenue.

Gently put, Catherine Timko of The Riddle Company said State Street, “a great street,” is like very good shoes that need polish.

“The curbside appeal should be taken up a notch,” said Timko of building facades. “People want retail to be an experience.”

To complicate the challenge, Media is seeing competition with The Promenade at the former Granite Run Mall site, the Ellis Preserve in Newtown Square, and yet unknown final development at the Franklin Mint site in Middletown. However, each seems to be building on a current trend that Media need not do — create a walkable “town” environment.

“You have the inheritance of a place,” said Jonas Maciunas of JVM Studio. “You can double down on these strengths.”

The team looked at economic development opportunities and alternatives. Among recommendations, and not surprisingly, will be recruitment of diverse retail businesses (potentially with financial incentive from some source), and attention to transportation modes for vehicles, bicycles and the SEPTA trolley, and pedestrians. They also strongly suggested the existing Media Business Authority move to independence from government. Future visioning of the industrial district was also noted, particularly with the residential growth at the western gateway.

Their presentation and overall draft report are expected to be posted on the borough website/ Both documents are extensive with data, industry trends, and action that can be taken immediately, short and long term. Action — the team heavily stressed — is a matter to be considered by council. It was clear by the engagement of residents, it will be a partnership.

The Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan was is funded by Media Borough and by a grant from the Transportation and Community Development Initiative of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.