Arbor Heights in Norristown Wins Gold Commonwealth Award for 'Smart Growth'

10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania, one of the state’s leading ‘smart growth’ advocacy organizations, recognized Arbor Heights in Norristown as an exemplary “‘smart growth’” residential development at its annual Commonwealth Awards ceremony in Harrisburg on June 19th, according to a release from 10,000 Friends. 

Arbor Heights is a new mixed-income, multi-family community that was developed by Progressive Housing Ventures LLC to help revitalize the historic DeKalb Avenue corridor in Norristown.  Arbor Heights replaced two blight-plagued buildings with stacked townhomes that were more affordably priced, and which have had a positive impact on the surrounding neighborhood, according to 10,000 Friends. 

The Arbor Heights project promoted first-time homeownership for authorized homebuyers, and put the homes within reach with help of a package of public and private financing.

Sarah Peck, President of Progressive Housing Ventures, was in Harrisburg to receive the award with Norristown Director of Planning Jayne Musoyne, who had planned the project, and who represented Norristown Municipal Council and Council President Gary Simpson at the ceremony.    

"We are deeply honored that Arbor Heights was selected from applicants from all over the state and cited as an outstanding example of infill housing.  This project kicked off Norristown's efforts to reclaim DeKalb Street for homeownership.  Hopefully we will be able to continue to provide new and affordably priced homeownership opportunities at our new townhouse project at 1202 DeKalb so as to further the effort to increase homeownership in the Municipality," said Peck.

Arbor Heights received support from Norristown, and funding from HUD, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the Montgomery County Commissioners, and the Montgomery County Redevelopment Authority.      

Jack Machek, President and CEO of 10,000 Friends, noted, “‘Smart growth’ strategies build suburban, urban, and rural communities with more transportation options, housing and recreational choices, as well as proximity to jobs, shopping, and schools while protecting green space, clean air, and clean water.  It is encouraging to see so many smart growth projects succeeding as many sectors of the construction industry continue to rebound from the recession. 10,000 Friends is proud to showcase the companies and organizations like Progressive Housing Ventures working to build stronger towns and communities across the state.”