EDC discusses façade grant changes, McQuillan Studio request and potential Main Street manager funding

LANSDALE, Pa. — Lansdale Borough’s Economic Development Committee on March 5 discussed revisions to façade grant standards, considered a multi-property grant request from McQuillan Studio and signaled support for allocating $30,000 from EDC funds to help Discover Lansdale hire a full-time Main Street manager.

Committee members said they want façade-grant language that emphasizes whole-building improvements rather than signage-only work and discussed tightening eligibility and requiring business-owner participation. McQuillan Studio requested support for exterior work spanning three adjacent tenant spaces; the committee tabled the request while staff verify whether the project scope and current ordinance language would affect eligibility for a single grant across multiple tenant storefronts.

Committee members reported early drafts of borough marketing materials and thanked council member Rob Panico and Councilwoman Rachel Bollins for preliminary contributions. Members also said there was committee consensus to allocate $30,000 from EDC funds toward Discover Lansdale for a Main Street manager position, pending written agreement on responsibilities and funding terms; staff will draft language and next steps for full-council review.

Committee members said the funding allocation process and any agreement will need clearer language about timing, conditions for disbursing funds and whether Discover Lansdale must secure additional funding. No formal full-council approvals occurred during the work session.

The committee asked staff to prepare the façade-grant ordinance amendments and funding language for the full council packet.