Lower Merion is getting nearly half a million dollars in state grant money for downtown Ardmore improvements and safer sidewalks along City Avenue.
State Rep. Tim Briggs announced Thursday, Sept. 17, in partnership with state Sen. Amanda Cappelletti, that more than $1.77 million in Local Share Account (LSA) grants had been awarded to projects across his 149th Legislative District.
Two grants totaling $468,535 land directly in Lower Merion.
The Ardmore Business District Authority received $68,535 for the Downtown Ardmore Placemaking Program. The City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion received $400,000 for a sidewalk improvement project along the City Avenue corridor.
Briggs secured the City Avenue grant in partnership with state Rep. Mary Jo Daley, who represents the neighboring 148th Legislative District.
"This funding will make important improvements along the City Avenue corridor, creating a safer and more welcoming environment for pedestrians," Briggs said. He added that the project would strengthen an area connecting residents and businesses on both sides of the city line.
The City Avenue sidewalk grant is separate from a PennDOT bridge repair project also underway on City Avenue. Whether the two efforts will be coordinated has not been disclosed.
The Ardmore grant marks the second LSA award for the business district in less than a year. In December 2025, Briggs announced $28,471 for the Ardmore Initiative Streetscape Wrap Program, which funded vinyl art wraps by local artists on township-owned utility boxes and disposal bins throughout the district.
Three other projects in the 149th District also received LSA funding. Montgomery County got $450,000 for Segment 5 of the Valley Forge Connector Trail. Upper Merion Township received $348,550 for public works facility renovations, and Bridgeport Borough received $508,692 for redevelopment of the 440 Mill St. parking lot.
LSA grants are funded through gaming revenues distributed under the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act through the Commonwealth Financing Authority. Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, municipal authorities and economic development agencies.
No project timelines or construction start dates for the Ardmore or City Avenue work have been announced.
