Can Cheltenham's Main Street Save a Town Searching for Its Soul?

Cheltenham Township is mapping out its future, and local businesses are an important part of the picture.

The township’s recently approved long-term plan outlines ideas for guiding growth through 2040. Instead of relying on large amounts of new development, Cheltenham is looking at ways to breathe new life into existing commercial areas, including Glenside and Elkins Park.

Ideas include attracting new restaurants and shops, creating opportunities for food trucks and home-based businesses, and finding productive uses for oversized parking lots. The plan also explores adding more housing near shopping districts and public transportation, including apartments above businesses.

Creating more walkable neighborhoods is another priority. Having residents live closer to stores, restaurants and transit could mean more customers for local businesses while reducing dependence on cars.

Cheltenham’s approach could be worth watching throughout Montgomery County. Many established communities face the same question: How do you encourage economic growth when there isn’t much open land left to develop?

For Cheltenham, part of the answer may be reinvesting in the neighborhoods and business districts it already has.