Tonight I, and two of my council colleagues, met with a representative from developer The Ingerman Group. Ingerman has proposed to develop a 49-unit, multifamily rental complex in the far East End of town on Sandy Street. This development is called workforce housing by advocates, but low-income housing by detractors.
Initial reaction has been cool at best, because the reality is that Norristown has more renters than homeowners, and certainly has its share of affordable, if-not-quality, places to live for low- and moderate-income households.
Are we just driving Norristown further down a deep hole by agreeing to this development?
Well the jury is still out.
But one thing that can be said is that The Ingerman Group is a quality firm. I have perused their website and was impressed by the variety and quality of affordable housing projects they have done.
Take for example a senior housing project in Chester, PA -- Pentecostal Square:
http://www.ingerman.com/rental.php?property_id=55
Such development is a commendable role for the church in service (rather than in worship), and shows an important investment of public funds to provide low-income seniors a quality place to live.
Those who are not affluent nevertheless deserve the dignity of a quality place to live.
I'm not rich, so I don't live in a gated community with private security guards. But that doesn't mean the place where I live should not be a nice, even if affordable, place to live and raise my family.
We are going to continue to listen to The Ingerman Group and learn more. I encourage you to do the same and share your feedback.
Quality development is quality development -- whether it serves wealthy people or working people.
And this could be an opportunity to bring quality development to a community of hardworking folks.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with that!
As always, feel free to express your opinion or ask questions as we continue to gather information and learn about what is possible and in the best interests of our community.
