Local Share Account funding will support five new wayfinding kiosks to be installed throughout Downtown Ardmore, representing a continued investment in the Downtown Ardmore commercial corridor

ARDMORE, Pa., (September 15, 2026) — Downtown Ardmore District today announced it has been awarded $68,000 through Pennsylvania’s Statewide Local Share Account (LSA) program to advance the Downtown Ardmore Placemaking & Wayfinding Program along Lancaster, Anderson, and Cricket Avenues.

The $68,000 grant will support a project to replace existing signage and install new signage where none had previously existed. Design work for this project was performed by Merje Design in West Chester and has taken place over the previous 12 months. Bids from several fabrication firms are in the process of being solicited and a firm will be chosen in the coming weeks. Completion of this project is expected by the end of 2026.

“The Wayfinding Signage Program will serve critical functions for our community,” says Ardwood Civic Association President Garrett Elwood. “These kiosks will create visual continuity throughout the commercial area while functioning as navigational aids that direct shoppers and visitors to explore beyond the main corridor. When visitors arrive in the area, these kiosks will invite them to discover the businesses along the side streets and connecting avenues—the restaurants, shops, and services that have historically struggled to attract the same level of foot traffic as the primary thoroughfare.”

The wayfinding investment comes at a significant moment for Downtown Ardmore. Multiple compounding development projects have situated the community at the forefront of convenient, walkable life in Philadelphia’s western suburbs. Amtrak/SEPTA’s new train station was completed in April, and two mixed-use apartment complexes are either underway or recently completed: Coulter Place and The Piazza at Ardmore. These projects have combined with the 26 new businesses opened in Downtown Ardmore since the beginning of 2025, all representing Ardmore’s emergence as a regional leader. Additionally, this grant will ensure that Downtown Ardmore is aesthetically consistent with existing brand assets, and will allow the increased visitors to more easily traverse the area.

The kiosks won’t just include directional maps and a QR code to an online business directory, but will also feature historical information about each site. These storytelling opportunities will inform readers about Ardmore’s rich past, its architecturally significant buildings, and the history of its businesses. Contributions for this portion of the project was conduction through a voluntary community brain trust, comprised of members of Lower Merion’s historic preservation community.

Lower Merion Commissioner for Ward 8, Craig Timberlake, expressed strong support for this project. “I am especially passionate about promoting Ardmore as a pedestrian-friendly community, and believe that a vibrant and inviting streetscape is crucial to this pursuit. An engaging and well-designed wayfinding kiosk will fill this need and ideally fit seamlessly into the fabric of the existing streetscape.”

About Downtown Ardmore District

Our mission is to champion Ardmore’s businesses and properties through education, advocacy, accountability, promotion, and civic design. We strive to enhance the cultural, economic, and infrastructural vitality of Downtown Ardmore by leveraging public/private partnerships, promoting new and existing businesses, and investing in dynamic place management strategies. For more info, please visit Downtownardmore.org or email info@downtownardmore.org.

Media Contact:

Melissa Grimm, Grimm & Grove Communications

215-840-0604

melissa@grimmandgrove.com