Feds Greenlight Ardmore Transit Center

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) gave word this week to Lower Merion Township that it has slapped a “FONSI” label on the proposed Ardmore Transit Center project.

FONSI is the fed-speak environmental acronym for “finding of no significant impact.”

“The proposed Ardmore Transit Center project will not result in changes to mixed-use, institutional, retail, and commercial land uses in the project study area,” the FTA reported, adding that it is “compatible with surrounding land use.”

Township Board of Commissioners President Liz Rogan, who also chairs the Economic Revitalization Committee, said the FONSI is “another positive landmark” toward the goal of revamping Ardmore’s central business district. (See: “”; May 26, 2011.)

With SEPTA, the Township last year prepared an official environmental assessment (EA) that identified and evaluated potential impacts on land use (including possible ecologically sensitive areas, or threatened and endangered species), traffic and parking, and conservation issues.

It took into account historic properties, parks, aesthetics, and “community disruption”— including consistency with existing planning, zoning, air and water quality, noise, safety and security, energy requirements, and the potential for secondary development.

The Township then needed to receive , which took place in the form of a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) public hearing and open house last November and December.

The Ardmore Transit Center, being developed by Dranoff Properties, is proposed for the area between Station Avenue, the Amtrak / SEPTA train tracks, Anderson Avenue, and the Lower Merion Township Administration Building.

Click here for Dranoff's ArdmoreStation.com multi-media presentation.