SEPTA Faces Fight Over 5-Story Garage

SEPTA has big plans to alleviate the headaches many commuters face every weekday at one popular train station in Montgomery County. But those plans may not get very far if local residents get their way.

On the Wyncote side of the Jenkintown SEPTA station, where commuters park, she couldn't find a single open parking space Friday.

That's why SEPTA wants to build a giant parking garage on the site.

The idea, however, is turning out to be about as popular as a fare increase.

Wyncote is known for its historic charm. Residents can't even change a feature on their houses without getting approval first.

So the idea of a five-story, 700-car parking garage in their neighborhood doesn't exactly sit well.

"It doesn't fit into the historical character. The design, it's a fake-brick façade. It doesn't look like any of the other homes here," opponent Emily McHugh said.

"The height will be approximately twice as tall as our three-story houses here. It's going to loom over the neighborhood and will be very, very ugly," said another opponent, Allan Lundy.

SEPTA's plan calls for a garage that is 200 spaces larger than its parking garage in Norristown, which covers a full block.

"It's clearly designed to draw people from farther out in the suburbs, to drive past their own local train stations to park here because it is more convenient," Lundy said.

Critics say that defeats the purpose of public transportation, to get cars off the road.

What's more, critics say it'll double the traffic on streets not equipped to handle that volume.

Opponent Olga McHugh said, "$47 million dollars to increase a parking area by 350 cars? Just do the math. It's a lot of money."

SEPTA would not comment except to say it wanted to meet directly with the community.

It's clear, though, that the current parking lot is too small to handle the need. Fox 29 News cameras spotted one driver leaving after she couldn't find a spot.

SEPTA is supposed to meet again with the community, but a date hasn't been set.

In the meantime, opponents are drawing up battle plans because they say they intend to fight this to the end, Gomez reported.