Elizabethtown Borough is seeking public comment on a proposal for overflow and long-term parking at the Elizabethtown train station. Included below is the borough’s posting to that effect:

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 TRAIN STATION OVERFLOW PARKING LOT UPDATE

REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

The Borough of Elizabethtown is seeking your input on the project outlined below.  The Borough will submit input from the public to the Federal Transit Administration as part of its response.  Official responses to the Determination of Effects Report [www.etownonline.com/Pdf all others/Determination of Effects.pdf] are welcome by the Federal Transit Administration until May 9, 2012.  Please email Elizabethtown Borough at boro@etownonline.com with your comments.  Thank you.

UPDATE

The Borough of Elizabethtown has submitted an application to the Federal Transit Administration for approval to utilize its remaining ARRA funds awarded for the Amtrak Train Station rehabilitation to: 1) construct an overflow and long-term parking lot at the end of Wilson Avenue, and 2) relocate the former freight station building that currently occupies the lot.

The Borough recognizes the need for additional parking at the Amtrak station, and it has acquired two properties at the end of Wilson Avenue for the construction of an overflow and long term parking lot specifically for the Amtrak station.  Residents and train riders may recall that Elizabethtown Borough awarded a contract for the parking lot construction last year.  However, as the freight station building was deemed to have historical value, federal regulations required additional review regarding its status.  The Borough withdrew the construction contract in deference to this review.

THE PROPOSAL AND REVIEW

The Federal Transit Administration has been presented with a Determination of Effects Report outlining the Borough’s proposal.  The Borough expects to achieve approximately 85 additional parking spaces at the train station with the construction of the overflow parking lot.  In addition to providing more parking spaces, design includes lighting, shade trees, and porous asphalt paving.  The former freight station building currently occupying the lot was initially slated for demolition, but the current proposal relocates it to the rear of the White Oak Mills site on West High Street, a short distance away on the same rail siding where the building currently sits.  In this new location the building would be preserved and utilized by an active historic mill.

Discussions between the Borough of Elizabethtown and White Oak Mills for this project remain preliminary until approval is granted by the appropriate regulating agencies.  However, the potential agreement would transfer ownership of the former freight station building to White Oak Mills.  White Oak Mills is willing to abide by a covenant outlining preservation and maintenance of the historic building.

Under a related project, funded by a state grant awarded to Elizabethtown, the Borough has also been working with White Oak Mills to acquire an easement of 15 feet along the edge of an unimproved parking lot on West High Street to install stormwater facilities and a section of pedestrian and bicycle pathway connecting the Amtrak Train Station with downtown Elizabethtown.  White Oak Mills would acquire a portion of an adjacent and unimproved property owned by the Borough as part of this project.  These economic development improvements are demonstrated on the Master Plan for Downtown Elizabethtown and are consistent with the Regional Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2011 by the Borough and the three neighboring municipalities.

As a consulting party for historical resources, the Elizabethtown Historical Society has proposed alternatives to the Borough’s plans which are outlined in the Determination of Effects Report.  The Historical Society is requesting that the former freight station building be maintained in its current location or relocated to a Borough-owned lot and be made available for public use as a train artifact museum.

The Borough is sensitive to the request to preserve the building and believes that the proposal for relocation to the White Oak Mills property exceeds expectations.  This move will not only preserve the building but will allow it to be utilized and maintained in a function respectful of its history.  The Borough does not embrace the Historical Society’s proposal to maintain the building in its current location, as it would negatively impact the proposed parking lot facility.  In addition, should the Borough be required to retain ownership of the building, excessive financial resources would be necessary to preserve and maintain the building and additional liability would be incurred by adding a building to its public facilities.  As a compromise, the Borough has offered an opportunity for the Historical Society to display train artifacts in the Amtrak Train Station.  This arrangement could provide additional revenue for maintenance of the train station and may create the potential for extended public hours at the station.