Radnor Township has backed off its plan to acquire roughly 17 acres from Valley Forge Military Academy Foundation through eminent domain, instead pursuing a deal with the institution for a right of first refusal for a larger piece of its property. Valley Forge Military Academy Foundation officials have said the land is not for sale and pledged to continue to operate Valley Forge Military College on the campus. The Valley Forge Military Academy — the boarding school for grades 7 to 12 — is preparing to wind down operations this spring, and the institution's Main Line land holdings have been coveted by developers and neighboring institutions, in addition to Radnor Township. Township solicitor John Rice said during a board of commissioners meeting that the right of first refusal proposal would give the township the chance to match any offer on the remaining 34 acres of Valley Forge Military campus land over the next five years. However, Valley Forge Military Academy Foundation board chair John English said if a clause blocking the township from using eminent domain over the five-year period could be negotiated, he was optimistic the board would be supportive. Rice said the right of first refusal agreement will go to a board vote on Monday, March 23.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 3/10/2026