King of Prussia Business Park re-zoned for multi-use

UPPER MERION The Upper Merion Township Board of Supervisors on Thursday rezoned the King of Prussia Business Park to allow residential construction.

The new zoning district, north of the King of Prussia Mall and east of Valley Forge, will allow multiuse properties such as high-rise condominiums with stores or offices at street level. It also encourages environmentally sustainable buildings and parks as well as pedestrian-friendly corridors linking to the planned extension of the Norristown High Speed Line.

The nonprofit King of Prussia Business District has lobbied for the change for several years, arguing that an update "from the traditional 1960s suburban office park to a dynamic, mixed-use district will trigger significant investment," executive director Eric T. Goldstein said.

The district hopes some of the 20,000 people who work in the business park will choose to live there as well, reducing commuter traffic and boosting weekend business for stores and restaurants in the area.

Township supervisors unanimously approved the rezoning. - Jessica Parks