Rethinking Institutional Properties
5
INSTITUTIONAL PROPERTIES IN
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Many institutions are situated in
park-like settings that contribute to a
community’s character and open spaces.
In Montgomery County, institutional land
amounts to more than 13,000 acres, or
4 percent, of total land area. In some of
our municipalities, institutional land can
make up 13 percent or more of overall
land area.
The county has 2,100 institutional
buildings, which were designed for
a specific purpose, vary in size, and
frequently display architectural details
not commonly seen in other building
types. They are traditionally located in
residential and downtown neighborhoods
and, due to their function, distinctive
design, and settings, have become
centers of community life. In a survey of
Montgomery County municipal managers,
many reported that closing institutions
are a current issue, or will become
an issue, in their communities. Some
municipalities have begun to plan for their
transformation by enacting ordinances to
allow for compatible new uses.
Why Are Institutions
Closing?
Institutions close for many different
reasons. Parochial schools, public
schools, and church congregations are
consolidating or closing entirely. In the
past five years Montgomery County has
seen the closure of five public school
buildings, and an estimated 7,000
churches close each year nationally.
Schools, hospitals, and government
agencies often want buildings with
modern spaces or facilities that
accommodate the latest technology.
Changes in school enrollment—an
increase or decrease—can cause it to
move or close, and some institutional
communities are not able to support high
long-term maintenance costs of large
buildings and grounds.
Some Factors for
Why Institutions are
Closing
SCHOOLS:
Outdated buildings and a need for
modern technology and instructional
spaces.
Local fluctuation in number of
school-age children entering the
school system.
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS:
Decline in parochial school
enrollment.
Changes in dominant religious
preferences over time, with growth
in nondenominational and other
nontraditional religious communities.
Declining numbers of men and
women entering religious life,
including leadership and staff
positions in religious institutions.
GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS:
Need for modern buildings.
Consolidation of services.
Large-scale consolidation of U.S.
Postal Service retail locations and
processing facilities.
HOSPITALS:
Need for modern buildings that
accommodate today’s medical
technology and practices.
Consolidation of healthcare systems
in the region.
Lack of growth and expansion
opportunities at original locations.
Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, Pottstown.
