NEW AGE DAWNING

Developer proposes 320-unit apt. building on site of former Times Herald

NORRISTOWN » An orthodontist from Harleysville has a vision of razing The Times Herald building and replacing it with a high-rise apartment building.

Dr. Ross Ziegler would could not be reached for comment following his recent proposal to Norristown Council.

“It’s really very preliminary,” noted Jayne Musonye, director of planning for Norristown. “Most of these projects will come back when they’re more fully formed. Dr. Ziegler shared his vision with council and council liked it.”

Zoning changes would be needed in order to move forward, Musonye allowed.

Ziegler’s proposal included a plan by Bennett Properties, LLC of Harleysville, which he is affiliated with, to demolish the 98-year-old building at 410 Markley St. and pursue construction of an apartment building.

“He wants to raze the building and construct an apartment building with over 320 units, with commercial units on the ground floor,” Musonye said, adding that Ziegler’s vision included a rooftop garden to grow vegetables for a market on the first floor.

“This is really conceptual right now, but council was amenable to it,” Musonye said. “There will be a lot of back and forth.”

In addition to Bennett

Properties, LLC, a public records search indicated that Ziegler’s other affiliations include Global Village Properties and Bux-Mont Orthodontic

Associates.

Norristown Council President Derrick Perry noted, “It was a presentation he gave to council. He’s from the Lansdale area and is currently doing something similar out there. We want to make sure all the

"It was a presentation he gave to council. He’s from the Lansdale area and is currently doing something similar out there. We want to make sure all the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed, but we think it’s a great project. We’re ready to rock and roll on some new stuff for Norristown that is going to enhance us to where we should be already.” — Norristown Council President Derrick Perry

i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed, but we think it’s a

great project. We’re ready to rock and roll on some new stuff for Norristown that is going to enhance us to where we should be already.”

PHOTO BY GENE WALSH FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP View of the former Times Herald building on Markley Street in Norristown.

PHOTO BY GENE WALSH FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP An Informational plaque hangs next to the boarded up doorway of the former Times Herald building on Markley Street in Norristown. It reads: Norristown Herald, founded by Christopher Souer (sic) in 1799; Norristown Times, founded by William Rennyson in 1881; Norristown Times Herald, founded by Ralph Beaver Strassburger, January 1, 1923.

PHOTO BY GENE WALSH FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP Sections of the wall and roof line have fallen away on the former Times Herald building.

PHOTO BY GENE WALSH FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP A stone wall is visible where stucco has fallen away on the south side of the former Times Herald building on Markley Street in Norristown.

MEDIANEWS GROUP FILE PHOTO A vintage photo of the Times Herald building