Center for Excellence in Local Government at Albright College Annual Open House

Each year we gather all of our local officials, county officials, professionals, public planners and many more to present awards to our “Master Planners”, Smart Growth Alliance of Berks County Award and presentation along with a specific topic that is of interest to all.  Ray Ott, Jr., AICP, will present on the topic of parking issues in urban and suburban areas with ideas and approaches to solve this many faceted issue.  The winner of the 2017 Smart Growth Alliance Award will present their unique way of resolving both a largely vacant shopping center and lack of student housing near Albright College by creating the Rockland Hall. (1 CM credit)

Parking: Its Impact on your Municipality
Parking is an issue in many urban and suburban developed areas.  Does your community struggle with how many parking spaces are required for existing and new businesses along your “Main Street” or how much of a “sea of blacktop” is necessary for a store or shopping center?  What are the alternatives to using the same old parking standards?  Will changing how we manage parking requirements attract new businesses?

Rockland Hall – Redevelopment of an old strip mall
Rockland Hall, designed by Kleckner Laucks Architects and build by Perrotto Builders in partnership with Albright College, is a brand new and completely modern housing complex reserved for juniors and seniors, with a waitlist option for sophomores.  The complex was built next to Albright College and re-developed and revitalized a nearly vacant strip mall. The residential area is made up of 52 state-of-the-art suites. Students who live in Rockland Hall are permitted to park on-site and Public Safety provides security of the area. Additionally, residents will have secured access to the building with required ID swipe at both the main entrance and elevators, with separate security features for individual suites and bedrooms. Suites are accessible at all times of the year. Restaurants (coming soon!) will occupy the first floor of the building in an effort to provide a creative and unique atmosphere for all Albright students.

For more information please contact Sara Pandl, 610-966-4343 ext. 126