The Borough of Sinking Spring studied commerce in its downtown and formulated a revitalization plan concluding that traffic congestion caused by high traffic volumes and poor intersection alignments was a primary reason for declining conditions along the Penn Avenue Corridor. In 2008, the Borough organized a citizen’s committee – the Borough of Sinking Spring 2020 initiative (or “BOSS 2020”). The Columbia Extension Roadway Project deals with long term planning issues associated with municipal development for the next 50-100 years. K&KA was asked to propose a new Master Plan for architectural development, from which a clear and concise planning direction could be established. The architectural design work represents an important step toward the establishment of a working strategy to develop properties beyond the uses they presently support.

“To linger! If we could but linger again in those places whose beauties never wane; surely we would then be able to endure many difficult hours with a lighter heart, and carry on, thus strengthened, in the eternal struggle of this existence.” – Author/Planner/Architect, Camillo Sitte, in The Birth of Modern City Planning, c.1889, analyzes the civic and artistic character of old European towns. In his essays on planning, he illuminates the relationships that exist between buildings, monuments, and their public places (plazas). He articulates that which makes the “Town Center Plan” vital to our daily, cultural existence. It is clear that the creation of aesthetically pleasing places for social intercourse and public celebrations of all kinds is essential for healthy, substantive, meaningful living.

The Master Plan delineates a new critical mass that promotes a diverse and vibrant modern lifestyle; one that offers what we have come to cherish in our historic, landmark town centers. The objective is to create an urban plan with public and private environments and potentially unique landscape, architectural, and civic conditions that elevate the entire grouping of new town center structures and streets to their greatest potential. The work is designed to help the BOSS 2020 Revitalization Committee bring a compelling, attractive aesthetic to its existing planning initiative and assist with seeking broadened grass-roots-support and attract private development participants.

The work examines existing architecture and streetscape features, vehicular and pedestrian circulation patterns, and occupancy types and property values. It considers potential uses and occupancies to determine the most appropriate uses for a given location and interfaces planning associated with current zoning requirements. The Master Plan interfaces existing conditions planning data with new vehicular circulation design established by the civil engineer, Ludgate Engineering. The new Columbia Extension Roadway plan calls for some big changes, including realigned streets and the selective demolition of buildings. The town center plan proposes a new borough hall and park surrounding the namesake sinking spring as a central gathering destination. Recreation space and a bus transfer station form a buffer between higher density development areas and the neighboring rail line. The plan represents a conceptual vision of what is needed in developing the required square footage to make the project viable.