Back to list November 21, 2017 Mixed-Use Development Plan for East Penn Drive Project CUMBERLAND VALLEY, PA (November 21, 2017) – The East Penn Drive Project in Enola is a proposed mixed-use development, requiring a traffic signal, adaptive signal controls, and turning lanes. The development incorporates neighboring Adams-Ricci Community Park through trails and a pedestrian walkway. The Commonwealth Financing Authority awarded the East Penn Drive project $900,000 through a Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) grant. The Cumberland County Industrial Development Authority submitted this application on behalf of 199 Associates in June of this year. The grant will pay for traffic signals, the installation of new turn lanes, and a pedestrian and bicycle bridge across East Penn Drive connecting the two sides of Adams-Ricci Community Park. View a sketch of the plan here and an aerial view here. Key stakeholders that played an integral role in making this project possible include: Senator Mike Regan, Representative Greg Rothman, Cumberland County Commissioners Vince DiFilippo, Jim Hertzler and Gary Eichelberger, and East Pennsboro Township Commissioners John Kuntzelman, Paul Hartman, Charley Gelb, Kristy Magaro and George Tyson. A significant objective of the plan has been to improve connectivity and multimodal access, specifically highlighting vehicular, pedestrian, bicycle and public transportation. This project would connect existing areas with both Adam-Ricci Park and the proposed development, furthering the township’s goal of creating a fully-connected pedestrian accessible township. The project also helps in furthering two goals set out in the East Pennsboro Township Comprehensive Plan; this project addresses the recreation goal by fulfilling an identified need of residents for additional facilities and programs including a greenway, trail and bicycle network, as well as their transportation goal calling for a community-wide circulation system that provides for the safe, convenient and efficient movement of people and goods within and through the Township. The proposed development is also consistent with Cumberland County’s Comprehensive Plan, which emphasizes connections and multimodal transportation throughout the county. This project will have a positive economic impact not only for East Pennsboro Township, but also for the County and surrounding areas. It will create 227 construction jobs, with an additional 262 jobs created as a result of the commercial, retail, medical and office component. The access off of East Penn Drive into the development will safely accommodate vehicle traffic. Capital Area Transit (CAT) also has a bus route that extends to Holy Spirit Hospital and Highmark’s Office Complex, which are both in close proximity to the project. The increased economic activity from the development would create an opportunity to expand the CAT route further north along East Penn Drive, and support the possibility of additional bus stops as a result of the lane widening that will occur. The pedestrian bridge is ADA-compliant to ensure all users have accessibility across East Penn Drive into the park. The trails connecting the development to Adams-Ricci Park will be accessible to both cyclists and pedestrians. The construction of this project is anticipated to commence by year-end 2017. About CAEDC CAEDC is Cumberland County’s authorized agency charged with leveraging and promoting Cumberland Valley’s economic development and tourism assets to drive growth, create jobs and improve the quality of life. Offices are located at 53 W. South Street, Carlisle PA. For more information, visit www.cumberlandbusiness.com and www.visitcumberlandvalley.com.
