West York architects present streetscape ideas

Officials hosting a public meeting meant to garner information from West York residents about an impending streetscape project didn't exactly get the feedback they were looking for.

No residents showed up at the meeting held Wednesday night at the Reliance Fire Co. Instead, architects shared ideas on the plan with two borough council members and received their feedback.

Residents provided the ideas during a 2011 public meeting hosted by the York County Planning Commission. From there, architects with York City-based Murphy & Dittenhafer started putting the ideas to paper.

"We thought the main thing to do is to focus on creating a borough identity," said Jennifer Line, an architect designer with the firm.

Improvements: The majority of the improvements will be centered in and around the square - where West Market Street intersects Highland Avenue - and will be in keeping with the traditional Victorian and Edwardian architecture already found in borough.

Possible streetscape improvements include bump-out curbs at some intersections and near the York Expo Center, new sidewalks and pedestrian street and railroad crossings and the addition of trees along streets.

Other possible improvements include angled parking on Highland Avenue, trashcans and benches at the square and signs at borough borders.

Showing pictures of welcome signs found in other towns, Line said signs could define West York's borders and would give the borough an identity.

"Its very welcoming," she said. "It tells you you've arrived somewhere."

All too often, Shane Louthian, a councilman, said he is asked where the line is between York City and West York. As it is now, there isn't a visible defined line between the two municipalities.

Follow this link:
West York architects present streetscape ideas