Pictured above is the team from Progressive New Homes and Keller Williams Mercer Group enjoying the festivities

At its annual awards celebration for the Best in PA Living, the regional Homebuilders Associations honored the Beech model at Arbor Place with both the Best Multifamily Home and Best Interior Merchandising in its size category.

Courtesy of Philadelphia Business Journal October 3, 2024

In a section of Conshohocken surrounded by thousands of apartments, a developer is building for-sale townhomes aimed at first-time homebuyers.
River Place, at 901 Washington St., features 62 townhomes along the Schuylkill River just west of the Spring Mill train station on SEPTA’s Regional Rail line. Progressive New Homes is developing the $29 million project on land owned by a partnership of Eli Kahn, Jim Vesey and Gary Toll. Read More.

Progressive New Homes hosted a community gathering prior to the demolition of the vacant school building. Alumni and local neighbors enjoyed the opportunity to share experiences about their beloved high school. Nearly 200 attendees spanned graduating classes from 1955 through 2010. “I was struck by how profoundly the school affected so many people,” said Sarah Peck, President of Progressive New Homes. “Given the importance of this school to the Norristown community and surroundings, I felt it was appropriate to give folks the opportunity to say good-bye.”

Ninety for-sale townhomes and flats are proposed as well as garden and townhouse style rental apartments. The new development will incorporate street names that evoke the school’s values, and name the apartment building, The Kenrick.  For more information, please visit www.arborplacetownhomes.com.

Pictured left with Sarah Peck: State Representative Greg Scott, Montgomery Commissioner Chair Jamila Winder, and Norristown Council members: Lauren Hughes, Thomas Lepera, Rebecca Smith.

Pictured right: Karen Santillo Fiorello, event co-organizer / committed alumna of Bishop Kenrick, proudly unfurls the school flag. 

On Sunday August 11th, South Media residents and Nether Providence township held a ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate the newly renovated Martha Burton park. The beautiful new playground was a collaboration by the township, local residents and Progressive New Homes. “We are proud to have sponsored this lovely project which will be enjoyed by children of all local residents,” says Sarah Peck. “I am glad I was there to represent our new neighborhood,” commented Carmen Mulraney a resident of Media Walk which is located just one block from the new playground.

In April, 2024 CREW-Philadelphia celebrated its fortieth anniversary at the newly opened Switch House venue in Philadelphia. As the original co-founder, Sarah Peck shared stories about how the organization was launched both in Philadelphia and nationally. CREW has now grown into an extensive networking forum with over 74 chapters nationally and ten internationally. Her fellow founders Patricia Adell and Lois Alexander joined her in a lively panel discussion. Pictured above from left to right: Lois Alexander, Sarah Peck, Patricia Adell and Wandy Mann, Executive Director of CREW National Network. Also pictured are some of the past presidents of CREW-Philadelphia.

The newest community of Progressive New Homes, River Place, is located on the riverfront in Conshohocken, PA. Models are not yet opened but the community is already 40 percent sold out. A combination of duplex townhomes and traditional townhomes are offered, starting in the low $500’s. For more information visit www.riverplaceconshy.com and see informational newsletters here.

At the November 2023 Nether Providence Commissioners meeting, Sarah Peck presented a check for $25,000 to South Media Neighbors United and the Township. The funds will be earmarked for renovation of the nearby Martha Burton Park, a central gathering place for the South Media community as well as for other activities benefiting the S. Media neighborhood.

Peck thanked Nannette Whitsett and her co-leader James Mason of South Media Neighbors United and their team for collaborating with her company to help secure rezoning and land development approvals needed to create the Media Walk development. “By developing a trusting relationship between our organizations, we worked together to secure a better outcome for all stake holders,” she said.

Media Walk is now successfully completed and occupied by 25 new homeowners.

Courtesy of Philadelphia Business Journal May 31, 2023

After sitting vacant for a dozen years, the 15-acre site of the former Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic High School in Norristown is set to be developed into 325 residential units including townhomes and apartments.

Wayne-based developer Progressive New Homes bought two adjoined properties at the site for a combined $3 million from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, according to public records. Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic High School closed in 2010 and the property at 250 E. Johnson Highway is planned to be demolished. Read article here. Read article here.

Courtesy of Philadelphia Business Journal March 26, 2021

In 2015, a partnership that involved E. Kahn Development began marketing an 82,000-square-foot office building at 901 Washington St. in Conshohocken, sensing its boutique size would appeal to tenants.
After three years of marketing it, those efforts were shelved when no tenants stepped up and 901 Washington Partners, the development team, switched gears. Read article here.

Arbor Heights, Progressive Housing Venture’s first community in Norristown, was one of 7 projects in the greater Philadelphia region to receive an award for excellence from the Urban Land Institute (ULI), an non-profit institution dedicated to providing leadership in sustainable land use and for creating and sustaining thriving communities.

Read the announcement from ULI here.

For the Progressive Housing Ventures official press release, click here.

For more information about the ULI Awards for Excellence, click here.

Delaware County Times

Philadelphia Business Journal

At the 35^th anniversary celebration of CREW-Philadelphia, which was held in November at the Philadelphia Convention Center, Sarah Peck spoke about her role in helping to found the organization.  With over 650 in attendance, the event raised more than $30,000 for scholarships for women college students entering the commercial real estate field as well as for West Philadelphia high school students learning CAD in an architecture and engineering training program.

See the video about the event here

Sarah Peck received the Chester County 2020 Citizen Planner Award on April 25 2019. The non profit organization promotes managed growth and preservation of open space through education and dialogue between Cuonty’s civic, business and political leaders. Pictured above: Dorothy Ives Dewey, Chester County 2020 board member,  David Ward, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Sarah Peck, Judy DiFilippo, Chester County 2020 board member and Chester County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone.

Read text of Sarah Peck’s acceptance speech here:

Arbor Knoll, created on the heels of the highly successful Arbor Heights and Arbor Mews communities, plays an integral role in transforming Norristown into a thriving and desirable neighborhood in which to live, work, and play. Gathered for a ribbon-cutting at Arbor Knoll on Wednesday are, from left, Montgomery County Commissioner Ken Lawrence, Rep. Tim Briggs (D-149th Dist.), developer Sarah Peck, Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh, Municipal Administrator Crandall Jones, and Norristown Municipal Council member Valerie Scott Cooper. Missing from photo is Council president Sonya Sanders.

Click here to read full article

On April 11, 2019, at its annual Synergy Awards for excellence, the Homebuilders Associations of Montgomery, Bucks, Chester and Delaware Counties awarded Arbor Knoll’s Porter II floor plan the best multifamily floor plan for its size category. At nearly 1700 s.f., the Porter II townhome offers tremendous value for the money.

The innovative back-to-back design has a tandem two car garage tucked beneath the home. The resulting higher density keeps costs down and prices more affordable. All 34 homes at Arbor Knoll are affordably priced for the market, which, coupled with attractive financing for first time homebuyers have resulted in the entire community being nearly sold out in less than a year. Despite its complex design, a great deal of natural light floods the living spaces through oversized ceilings and tall windows with transoms. As a result, the home feels very private despite its being situated between two other homes and in back of a third home. Extensive sound mitigation construction details ensure maximum privacy. Outdoor living spaces are provided by both a spacious balcony off the living level plus a huge roof deck. The top floor bedroom can flex as a man-cave or family room and its optional bathroom has been purchased by most homebuyers. The Porter II’s 4 story vertical design offers the millennial buyer the privacy of a townhome with extensive living space in 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. The stairs do not seem to bother this young buyer. The majority purchasing this value-packed plan have a young child or are starting their families. As a result, this is the perfect entry level starter home for a growing family. "We are so gratified that over 90 percent of the homes sold at Arbor Knoll are to first time homebuyers," says Sarah Peck, President of the company developing Arbor Knoll. "And most households earn less than 120% of the county’s median income. It is rare to find well built, new construction homes in this location at such an affordable price point" All homes at Arbor Knoll are now sold. The decorated model home is now available for sale. Visit www.Arborknoll.net for details.

Pictured above: Gregory Wissman, AIA – architect for the project, Sarah Peck – Project Developer, Sharon Dienno- Danley Townhomes Sales Manager and Mark Schultz – Danley Townhomes construction manager. The award is presented annually by the Home Builders Associations of Montgomery, Bucks, Chester and Delaware Counties.

A process that transforms once blighted areas into beautiful,  and vibrant residential  living.

Sarah Peck is in the vanguard of developing affordably priced new homes in in-fill locations around Philadelphia.  Check out her comments below showcasing how vacant or underutilized land is repurposed for today’s growing market.

Arbor Knoll, created on the heels of the highly successful Arbor Heights and Arbor Mews communities, plays an integral role in transforming Norristown into a thriving and desirable neighborhood in which to live, work, and play. Gathered for a ribbon-cutting at Arbor Knoll on Wednesday are, from left, Montgomery County Commissioner Ken Lawrence, Rep. Tim Briggs (D-149th Dist.), developer Sarah Peck, Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh, Municipal Administrator Crandall Jones, and Norristown Municipal Council member Valerie Scott Cooper. Missing from photo is Council president Sonya Sanders.

At their annual Synergy awards ceremony, the Home Builders Associations of the four suburban counties of Philadelphia awarded the 2016 Townhome of the Year in its size category to the Hayden model at the Danley Townhomes, a unique new townhome community in Bryn Mawr.  The Hayden model also received merit recognition for Best Interior Merchandising.   The Hayden’s design, along with Danley’s convenient walkable location one block from the center of Bryn Mawr has spurred its strong success in the market.  The Hayden has attracted downsizing empty nesters as well as professional couples and even families seeking a low maintenance, less expensive lifestyle with the freedom to walk one block to the heart of Bryn Mawr and its commuter train, restaurants, shops, theater, parks and schools.  The interior merchandising appeals perfectly to this diverse target market.  A crisp color palette of classic navy with medium blue hues and white and soft gray accents, along with richly diverse dark woods in the furniture and flooring has created a sophisticated yet comfortable transitional style décor. Hosted by the Home Builders associations of Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, and Delaware Counties and judged by an independent panel of industry experts, the annual Synergy Awards honor excellence in construction, design, sales and marketing by members.

Hear the Sarah Peck interview from The Times Herald.
Read the full article here.
See Philadelphia Magazine report on ULI

Thanks to unseasonably warm weather, roads are paved and first foundations are in for the first phase of Danley, a Progressive Housing new home community of 28 townhomes near Bryn Mawr Hospital.  The duplex townhomes along Old Lancaster Road will echo the feel of this historic Bryn Mawr neighborhood. The lower level homes include a master bedroom on the living level with two additional upstairs bedrooms and a finished basement option while the upper level homes include 3 bedrooms in over 2000 SF of space. Three bedroom townhomes will be built on the opposite side of the private drive that within the community.  Every home includes an attached garage. The site includes a private pocket park and guest parking. A plan for the site is available here

Virtual tours of the community and the floor plans will be available before the community opens for sales in 2016. To sign up for the priority waiting list visit http://progressivehsg.com/communities/danley/contact/

This week’s cover story in the Philadelphia Business Journal by Natalie Kostelni predicts Norristown will become the next Conshohocken. Arbor Mews’ success is mentioned as part of the reason. There are still a few choice homes remaining at ArborMews.com if you want to get in on the ground floor of Norristown’s upward trajectory!  Read the full article here.

Main Line Today calls Norristown a Town on the Brink citing how this municipality on the river is poised to take off as a popular place to live – and it cites Arbor Mews and Arbor Heights as part of that path to success. Read the full article here.

Arbor Mews and Arbor Heights were the topic of a feature article in the Philadelphia Inquirer about how these two communities of new townhomes came to be in Norristown and how they are bringing new homeowners to this walkable and affordable community. Read that article here.

Arbor Mews and Progressive Housing’s first community in Norristown, Arbor Heights, were featured in an article in the Times Herald, Norristown’s daily newspaper. Read that article here.

Arbor Mews was recently featured in the Times Herald, a local newspaper in Montgomery County, PA. The article highlighted the excellent townhome design that incorporates the historic roots of the neighborhood while helping reinvigorate the area with young and diverse residents. For the full article, click here.

The Urban Land Institute in Philadelphia has named Norristown’s Arbor Heights as an Award for Excellence finalist. The winners will be announced during the awards ceremony on June 17th.

The Willard G. Rouse III Award of Excellence recognizes the region’s top real estate projects completed within the last five years throughout Eastern and Central Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware.

To read more about the award, click here

Site work for Danley, a community of 28 new townhomes in Bryn Mawr, is slated to begin in June with the demolition of existing structures on the site.   The existing garden apartments and two existing homes will be cleared to make way for an innovative land plan that combines 16 interlocking twins and 12 traditional townhomes that will be situated on the property. The project is located on Old Lancaster Road and South Merion Avenues, just west of the Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Construction of the new homes is slated to begin later this fall, with sales scheduled to begin in October.   New homes are expected to start in high $400,000’s for these 3-bedroom, 2-1/2 bath townhomes with garages and off street driveways.

Click here to see the site plan and preliminary floor plans for the interlocking twins and the townhomes.

To receive more information when it is available, please sign up for our priority mailing list.

The February 2015 edition of Professional Builder recognized Arbor Mews as an exemplary demonstration of urban infill housing, noting: "After first-time buyers snatched up the 12 townhomes at Arbor Heights, built on a blighted city block, the neighborhood started to turn around. Now Progressive Housing’s owner and founder, Sarah Peck, is back with new designs and financing assistance for buyers."

To read more of the article, click here

Arbor Heights, a new townhouse community in Norristown, received a 2013 Montgomery Award for successful redevelopment efforts, attractive infill affordable housing, collaboration, and community revitalization. This exceptional project, which has created an appealing, pedestrian-friendly residential community, has been a catalyst for Norristown’s continued revitalization efforts.

To read more about the award, click here.

Click here to Download a PDF Press Release For The Montgomery Awards

Former Governor Tom Ridge and 10,000 Friends President Jack Machek present Arbor Heights with its Gold Commonwealth Award at 10,000 Friends’ recent event.
From left to right: former Governor Tom Ridge, Progressive Housing CEO Sarah Peck, Norristown Director of Planning Jayne Musoyne, and 10,000 Friends President Jack Machek

Harrisburg–10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania, the state’s leading Smart Growth advocacy organization, recognized Arbor Heights in Norristown as an exemplary "smart growth" residential development in Pennsylvania at its annual Commonwealth Awards ceremony. Developed by Progressive Housing Ventures LLC, Arbor Heights is a new mixed income, multi-family community that is helping to revitalize the historic DeKalb Avenue corridor in Norristown.

A superb example of infill redevelopment, Arbor Heights replaced two blighted buildings with affordably priced, stacked townhomes that are having a catalytic impact on the revitalization of the immediate neighborhood. With close proximity to public transportation, Arbor Heights is a pedestrian-friendly development that utilized energy efficient building techniques and attractive architecture that blended seamlessly into the historic streetscape. The project promoted first time homeownership for qualified homebuyers, made attainable by an attractive package of private and public financing.

Sarah Peck, President of Progressive Housing Ventures, was on hand to receive the award along with Norristown’s Director of Planning, Jayne Musoyne, who had spent over five years planning the project. Musoyne represented Norristown Municipal Council and Council president Gary Simpson at the ceremony. In addition to support from the municipality, the project was made possible through collaborative funding by the Montgomery County Commissioners, the Montgomery County Redevelopment Authority, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and HUD.

10,000 Friends also awarded thirteen additional projects from across the state with its prestigious Commonwealth Award for a range of innovative developments embodying smart growth principles. An audience of developers, architects, land use planners, municipal and state officials participated in the event, which included the presentation of the Mark C. Schneider Memorial Friend of Pennsylvania Award to former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge in recognition of his lifetime of service and visionary land use and environmental policies during his tenure as Governor.

Jack Machek, President and CEO of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania, 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."

The Commonwealth Awards is a juried statewide annual recognition event. 10,000 Friends received submissions from a multitude of companies and organizations that have produced a wide range of project types—urban infill, historic preservation, adaptive reuse, brownfield redevelopment, mixed use, traditional neighborhood development, commercial, farmland preservation, public space and infrastructure, community institution, and revitalization planning. Those judged most exemplary were selected by the jury for Commonwealth Awards.

#####

10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania is the leading statewide and regional advocated for creating great communities and the recognized authority on responsible land use. Our vision is to have a positive impact on the built and natural environments through responsible and efficient land use. Founded in 1998, our work improves the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians—we build and support coalitions of citizens, public officials, and organizations to create land use, infrastructure, and development policies, practices, and projects that strengthen our economy, conserve land, save money, promote public health, and reinvest in our diverse cities, towns, older suburbs, and rural communities.

Jack M. Machek

President & CEO
10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania
240 North Third Street, Suite 407
Harrisburg, PA 17101
office: (717) 234-6070
fax: (717) 234-6075
jmachek@10000friends.org

NORRISTOWN— At their annual awards ceremony on May 17, the Home Builders Associations of four Philadelphia suburban counties presented the Synergy Award for Best Affordable Housing to Arbor Heights, a successful new townhome community on DeKalb Street in Norristown.

Sarah Peck, president of builder Progressive Housing Ventures of Malvern, was on hand to accept the award.

The event was held at the King of Prussia Radisson and attended by homebuilding professionals from Montgomery, Bucks, Chester and Delaware Counties.

Arbor Heights is the fulfillment of a 10-year dream by the Municipality of Norristown and Montgomery County…

Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Scott Elliott
March 3, 2009
717-730-4380, ext. 3010 (office)
717-649-6522 (cell)
selliott@pabuilders.org

Sarah Peck of Malvern-based Progressive Housing Ventures LLC has been
awarded Pennsylvania Builders Association’s Building Innovation Award in recognition
of her innovative neighborhood revitalization and performance zoning achievements.
In selecting Peck, judges highlighted the ability to increase property values in a
Downingtown neighborhood by eliminating an eyesore and using high-density
construction that yielded a combined increase of onsite parking and open space — a rare
combination. Peck also made a significant financial investment in the community; the
project sold out just over one year from grand opening in September of 2007.
In addition to being a PBA member, Peck is actively involved in the Home
Builders Association of Chester and Delaware Counties.
Nearly 200 PBA members, colleagues and distinguished guests were on hand Feb.
28 at The Hotel Hershey to congratulate Peck for the honor.
"It’s important for us to recognize exceptional work among our members," PBA
President Gene Kreitzer said. "The best and brightest in the state’s homebuilding industry
raise the bar of achievement for everyone else to meet, and that provides beneficial
competition."
In total, nine awards were presented at The Hotel Hershey to PBA members
whose work advances the state’s homebuilding industry.

About the PBA
Chartered in 1952, the Pennsylvania Builders Association is a nonprofit professional
trade organization representing more than 9,000 member companies from across the
commonwealth. PBA members and their 528,000 employees include builders,
remodelers, material suppliers, subcontractors, consultants, lending institutions, utilities
and others involved in the housing industry.

PBA serves its membership by providing proactive leadership on state regulatory and
legislative issues and by offering products and services to its 40 local associations that
enhance the effectiveness and professionalism of its members. PBA serves Pennsylvania
communities and consumers through its steadfast efforts to protect homeownership rights
and advocate for affordable housing options. PBA is affiliated with the National
Association of Home Builders.

Best In American Living Award presented for Outstanding Home Design at 2009 International Builders Show

Malvern, PA, February 2009 — In recognition of the nation’s best new housing designs, the 25th annual Best in American Living Awards (BALA) were presented on Monday, January 19, 2009 at a ceremony in conjunction with the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas. The Best Suburban Smart Growth Community Merit Award was presented to Progressive Housing

Ventures, LLC for the Green Street Mews, LLC town-home project in Downingtown, PA.

The annual Best In American Living Award (BALA) residential design competition—cosponsored by Professional Builder magazine and the National Association of Homebuilders — is the foremost residential design competition in the country. It pays tribute to those individuals who produce homes that illustrate design quality, success in the marketplace, and exemplify the best in American living.

In making their award, judges took into account not only how well the Green Street Mews community sold in the marketplace, but also such things as how pedestrian-friendly it is, how well it protected the natural environment, and used land in an efficient and innovative manner, and how well it respected the architecture and aesthetics of the surrounding neighborhood.

A total of 48 award winners in 36 categories were chosen from more than 300 entries. The 2008 BALA competition’s panel of 13 judges was composed of builders, marketing experts, architects, land planners, developers, design professionals, interior designers and Professional Builder editors.

The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing more than 200,000 members. NAHB is affiliated with more than 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. For additional information go to www.nahb.org.

Valerie and Rob Schindewolf were starting a new chapter in their lives. Wanting a shorter commute to work and closer proximity to an elderly relative in West Chester, the couple decided to sell their spacious single-family home in suburban Lancaster and move to Chester County – ideally to a low maintenance townhome within walking distance of a town and train. Despite months of looking for the right combination of price, size, charm and parking, however, they came up short. Then, late last fall, they stumbled upon Green Street Mews in Downingtown Borough.

When we found Green Street Mews on the internet, we were impressed with the community’s green construction, sidewalks to nearby Main Street, and the historic looking architecture with two garage garages, says Valerie. We knew right away that this was not a typical new townhome development. When we saw other interested buyers visiting the sales office, we knew we had to act quickly.

Not wanting to risk it, they snatched up the last remaining townhome in the 30-home community.

Our decision was a no-brainer, Valerie says, because we had not seen anything that had as much bang for the buck or the quality as this home.

With the Schindewolf’s purchase, this unique infill townhome development sold out – in just over one year from the grand opening of the decorated model. That the intense market interest continued throughout the mortgage crisis, credit crunch, and slow economy, shows just how alive the Chester County housing market still is – for the right product with the right marketing.

Sharon Dienno, regional marketing manager for Prudential Fox and Roach Realtors, and the selling agent for the development explains: Green Street Mews proves that the market is alive and well for eco-friendly homes that are well-located, and connected via sidewalks to amenities like parks, restaurants, shops and the train. She points to the steady, strong sales traffic throughout the marketing of the project and buyers with good credit, good jobs and money saved as evidence.

Dienno commends the developer, Sarah Peck, for thinking outside the box in obtaining special zoning to build the project and building environmentally friendly and architecturally tasteful homes that fit seamlessly into the historic neighborhood.

Sarah Peck has shown that buyers still crave a maintenance-free lifestyle in unique, close-in, pedestrian-friendly settings and will buy no matter what the market conditions. Dienno also credits the developer’s internet-oriented marketing which appealed to 30 and 30-something, first time homebuyers.

The professional community agrees with the market’s assessment. The Delaware Valley Smart Growth Alliance, for example, awarded its prestigious Smart Growth recognition to Green Street Mews for its innovative and environmentally friendly concept. And last April, the Homebuilders Association of Chester and Delaware Counties awarded Green Street Mews its Smart Growth Community of the Year.

Peck is planning a sequel to Green Street Mews, also in Downingtown Borough, though on a larger scale. To be developed jointly with Southdown Homes, the community will be built on the present site of the Borough-owned Kardon Park, overlooking the existing public park and ponds which will remain. Like Green Street Mews, the homes will have two and three bedrooms and will have attached rear garages, allowing a charming and pedestrian-friendly streetscape. A number of new townhome and single-level plan styles will be offered, including some without any stairs at all, which Peck feels will attract seniors. Homes are expected to start in the mid $180,000’s, although prices and details will be finalized when pre-sales start in late spring. People wanting more information can leave their contact information at 610-269-9100.

Valerie Schindewolf is so enamored with Downingtown Borough and the developer of Green Street Mews that she and her husband say they would move again to the new Kardon Park community when the time is right. “We love Downingtown’s new retail and restaurant development on Lancaster Avenue and the exciting up and coming plans,” she says. We most certainly see ourselves staying in Downingtown Borough and have informally taken first dibs on the best lot in the new development!

Downingtown Ledger May 1-8, 2008

Chester County Business Ledger November 2007

Daily Local September 14, 2007

The operative word in Sara Peck’s new company – Progressive Housing Ventures LLC – is progressive.

That is what the well-known developer of single-family homes wanted when in 2001 she gave up the high-profile chief executive officer position at Rouse/Chamberlin Homes to form her
own company with a special emphasis on in-fill development.

Peck was a mangement partner at Rouse where for 15 years she and her partners built more than 1,500 homes in communities in the Philadelphia suburbs earning awards along the way.

Peck was named as a “Woman of Distinction” by the Philadelphia Business Journal and the National Association of Women Business Owners. The company was also recognized as “National Builder of the Year” and ” America’s Best Builder” by a national trade magazine.

But by 2001, Peck was interested in going in a different direction.

“I wanted to be around for my kids and I was also craving to do something more progressive and creative and to go somewhere were we were wanted,” said Peck, referring to increasing
community resistance to subdivision developments.

With a background in urban planning, Peck’s attention turned to in-fill developments – those little corners of downtown areas that have been passed over because of their proximity to
train stations or tainted from environmental pollution.

“The key to doing this in-fill is that you have to invent the product to fit the land,” Peck said.

After bidding on some projects that didn’t materialize, Peck hit pay dirt with a small parcel of land in the heart of Downingtown occupied by a Quonset hut.
“It was a non-conforming industrial site with flooding problems. The seller just wanted to sell and get out,” said Peck.

Around the same time, Peck went to a breakfast sponsored by the Urban Land Institute on in-fill development where municipalities could talk about their communities with developers.

“Brenda Brinton, Linda Baugher and Jeffrey Valocchi were there talking about brownfield sites in Downingtown. I was very impressed that they took the time to reach out (to developers),”
said Peck.

A key ingredient in any revitalization project, according to Peck, is the attitude of local government.

“You really have to know the leadership in any municipality. You have to be comfortable and have favorable signals that the municipality has vision and competent staff and political
leadership to accomplish the revitalization,” Peck said.

She approached the borough with the proposal for Green Street Mews – a 30-unit condominium project on the corner of Green Street and Jefferson Avenue.

A year and a half later, having gone through a zoning change, a conditional use hearing and land development plan approval process, Peck is close to being able to start construction. One
hurdle remains – the creation of the Alcoa basin, a stormwater retention basin planned upstream of the proposed development.

The borough is in negotiations with the Alcoa Flexible Packaging plant to purchase a 9.8-acre parcel for the basin.

Included in the proposed development are flood improvement measures that the developer will undertake plus provide financing to the borough to help with the cost of building the
stormwater basin.

The condominiums are being marketed to young professionals buying their first home in a good neighborhood, a segment of the population that Peck feels has not been adequately
tapped in Chester County.

This is the kind of progressive project that Peck quit Rouse/Chamberlain to do.

“I’m helping to revitalize a neighborhood. Aesthetically the condominiums will be an improvement (over what’s there now). The borough benefits financially from the new revenue.
It will improve home values in the surrounding neighborhood. I’ve helped a borough prosper and it was creative,” said Peck.

The developer has written about in-fill development in brooks and real estate trade journals. In one publication, Peck describes in-fill locations as properties that are either vacant or
under-utilized locations in an area that is already developed. Some sites which could be well-located are deemed undesirable because they are located near active railroads or
expressways. But Peck says a new breed of home buyer likes the convenience of walkable communities. Within suburban markets, Peck says there is extensive demand for housing for
singles, people who have never married or are divorced. This market is looking for a residence other than a conventional single-family home. The new market combined with revitalizing
overlooked areas creates new opportunities for developers with the added benefit that municipalities generally welcome them.

The operative word in Sara Peck’s new company – Progressive Housing Ventures LLC – is progressive.

That is what the well-known developer of single-family homes wanted when in 2001 she gave up the high-profile chief executive officer position at Rouse/Chamberlin Homes to form her own company with a special emphasis on in-fill development.

Peck was a mangement partner at Rouse where for 15 years she and her partners built more than 1,500 homes in communities in the Philadelphia suburbs earning awards along the way.

Peck was named as a “Woman of Distinction” by the Philadelphia Business Journal and the National Association of Women Business Owners. The company was also recognized as “National Builder of the Year” and ” America’s Best Builder” by a national trade magazine.

But by 2001, Peck was interested in going in a different direction.

I wanted to be around for my kids and I was also craving to do something more progressive and creative and to go somewhere were we were wanted, said Peck, referring to increasing community resistance to subdivision developments.

With a background in urban planning, Peck’s attention turned to in-fill developments – those little corners of downtown areas that have been passed over because of their proximity to train stations or tainted from environmental pollution.

“The key to doing this in-fill is that you have to invent the product to fit the land,” Peck said.

After bidding on some projects that didn’t materialize, Peck hit pay dirt with a small parcel of land in the heart of Downingtown occupied by a Quonset hut.

“It was a non-conforming industrial site with flooding problems. The seller just wanted to sell and get out,” said Peck.

Around the same time, Peck went to a breakfast sponsored by the Urban Land Institute on in-fill development where municipalities could talk about their communities with developers.

“Brenda Brinton, Linda Baugher and Jeffrey Valocchi were there talking about brownfield sites in Downingtown. I was very impressed that they took the time to reach out (to developers),” said Peck.

A key ingredient in any revitalization project, according to Peck, is the attitude of local government.

“You really have to know the leadership in any municipality. You have to be comfortable and have favorable signals that the municipality has vision and competent staff and political leadership to accomplish the revitalization,” Peck said.

She approached the borough with the proposal for Green Street Mews – a 30-unit condominium project on the corner of Green Street and Jefferson Avenue.

A year and a half later, having gone through a zoning change, a conditional use hearing and land development plan approval process, Peck is close to being able to start construction. One hurdle remains – the creation of the Alcoa basin, a stormwater retention basin planned upstream of the proposed development.

The borough is in negotiations with the Alcoa Flexible Packaging plant to purchase a 9.8-acre parcel for the basin.

Included in the proposed development are flood improvement measures that the developer will undertake plus provide financing to the borough to help with the cost of building the stormwater basin.

The condominiums are being marketed to young professionals buying their first home in a good neighborhood, a segment of the population that Peck feels has not been adequately tapped in Chester County.

This is the kind of progressive project that Peck quit Rouse/Chamberlain to do.

“I’m helping to revitalize a neighborhood. Aesthetically the condominiums will be an improvement (over what’s there now). The borough benefits financially from the new revenue. It will improve home values in the surrounding neighborhood. I’ve helped a borough prosper and it was creative,” said Peck.

The developer has written about in-fill development in brooks and real estate trade journals. In one publication, Peck describes in-fill locations as properties that are either vacant or under-utilized locations in an area that is already developed. Some sites which could be well-located are deemed undesirable because they are located near active railroads or expressways. But Peck says a new breed of home buyer likes the convenience of walkable communities. Within suburban markets, Peck says there is extensive demand for housing for singles, people who have never married or are divorced. This market is looking for a residence other than a conventional single-family home. The new market combined with revitalizing overlooked areas creates new opportunities for developers with the added benefit that municipalities generally welcome them.

Two very different proposed development projects in Chester County – a redevelopment site in the Borough of Downingtown and a new traditional neighborhood-style development in historic Sadsbury Township – have received recognition from the Delaware Valley Smart Growth Alliance (DVSGA), a new non-profit collaboration of more than 100 government, private sector and non-profit organizations in the tri-state region.

These become the second and third projects to be recognized by the DVSGA since its formation last year. Each recognized project receives a letter of endorsement from the Alliance and its 100+ member organizations, as well as an offer of testimony before a governing body. The first recognized project is proposed for a site on the northern edge of center city Philadelphia.

Green Street Mews, to be developed by Progressive Housing Ventures of Malvern, seeks to build 30 townhomes on a 1.65-acre former industrial site at the intersection of Green Street and Jefferson Avenue in Downingtown. The site is less than one mile to the Downingtown SEPTA train station by foot or bike via sidewalk, and within short walking distance of retail and restaurants in and around Lancaster Avenue.

In its recognition, the DVSGA jury cited the project’s community support, its focus on density in the downtown, pricing designed for moderate-income families, and off-street parking that will benefit the entire community. The developer hopes to break ground in late 2005.

On the other end of the smart growth spectrum is Sadsbury Park, proposed by Arcadia Land Company, based in Wayne, PA, on a parcel adjacent to Sadsburyville, a historic older village at the intersection of Old Wilmington Road and Lincoln Highway (Business Route 30) west of Coatesville.

The community, which could break ground in late 2005, will include about 460 small-lot single-family detached homes, townhomes and multi-family homes in a traditional neighborhood design (TND), with a street grid, garages in the back, a sidewalk and trail system, and creatively-designed opened spaces for recreation. The neighborhood will be within a quick walk of historic Sadsburyville, which needs critical mass for sustainable commercial development. The proposed housing prices are among the most affordable in Chester County.

The DVSGA jury applauded Arcadia’s leadership role in the community development process, and further encourages the company, neighboring property owners and the Township to encourage more smart growth and connections to the surrounding community.

We received several applications in this quarterly round, said John B. Rosenthal, Jury Chairman and Chairman Emeritus of Pennrose Properties. Jurors felt that both Green Street Mews and Sadsbury Park reflect the criteria for true smart growth – location; density, design and diversity of uses; transportation and accessibility; environmental issues; and community assets and participation.

The DVSGA accepts applications for early-stage recognition for development projects in Southeastern Pennsylvania (through Dauphin County), Southern New Jersey (up to and including Mercer County), and Delaware which meet its smart growth criteria (available on the web at www.delawarevalleysmartgrowth.org).

Applicants with projects still in the entitlement stage are encouraged to apply for DVSGA recognition. The deadline for the next quarterly review of applications is June 1, 2005. All applications are treated confidentially and reviewed on a quarterly basis by an independent jury that represents the tri-state region and all of the skills and disciplines within the land use field, including experience in planning, architecture and design, landscape architecture, engineering, environmental and stormwater management, economic feasibility, development and construction of market-rate and affordable housing, commercial and mixed-use projects.

Each project that obtains recognition – based upon compliance with established smart growth criteria — receives a letter of endorsement and an offer of testimony before local approving bodies by a member of the jury. The criteria and an application form can be downloaded from www.delawarevalleysmartgrowth.org.

By highlighting the potential of smart growth projects to add value to the region, we hope to encourage developers, business organizations, citizen groups and elected officials to strive for smart growth solutions, said Marc D. Brookman, President of the DVSGA and Chair of the Real Estate Practice Group at Duane Morris LLP. Projects that will receive DVSGA recognition are those that will help the region to accommodate growth and redevelopment in a manner that achieves important economic, environmental and quality of life objectives.

Financial support for the DVSGA comes from the Philadelphia District Council of ULI – the Urban Land Institute, PennDOT, The State of New Jersey’s Office of Smart Growth, the State of Delaware’s Office of State Planning Coordination, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Temple University’s Center for Sustainable Communities, the Builders League of South Jersey, and the Building Industry Association of Philadelphia.

Professional Builder Magazine August 2004

NJPA Real Estate Journal