Reading seeks PennDOT multimodal funding to remake Penn Street, add up to 120 downtown parking spaces
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Summary
City staff asked the Planning Commission for a letter of support for a two‑phase PennDOT multimodal funding application to redesign Penn Street; the commission unanimously authorized the support. The proposed project would increase parking on the 400–500 blocks and add safety improvements, with an estimated total cost of about $8 million.
City staff told the Reading Planning Commission on Jan. 27 that the administration will apply for PennDOT multimodal funds to redesign Penn Street in a two‑phase approach, and commissioners agreed to provide a letter of support.
Jamar, the city’s project lead, said the administration would apply first for roughly $3 million focused on the 400 block of Penn Street and later submit a second application for the 500 block. The combined redesign aims to increase downtown parking from about 50 existing spaces to between 110 and 120 spaces depending on final design and PennDOT input; staffing and engineering firm McCarthy Engineering prepared preliminary designs and cost estimates. Jamar said the overall project cost is expected to be about $8 million.
Key elements described include angled parking on both sides of the street (maintaining angled parking turns), relocation of some traffic signals, a reduction in the number of bus shelters at a major intersection, and maintenance of mid‑block crosswalks; staff also outlined the possibility of raised crosswalks at 4th and 5th Streets to improve pedestrian safety. Commissioners generally endorsed the plan and asked staff to ensure the design aligns with the city’s downtown improvement plan and transportation overlay.
The commission voted unanimously to direct staff to provide a letter of support and asked Jamar to share a grant‑language template. Jamar said staff expects to submit the PennDOT application in the brief window that opened in mid‑February and that updated 30% design documents and an updated cost estimate would accompany the application.
Next steps: staff will provide the commission with design updates and return to the body in late February or March to discuss complementary funding opportunities (including DCED multimodal funds) and to keep the commission engaged during design and grant submission.