Upper Darby Township Council will consider an ordinance authorizing the acquisition of property located at 7241 West Chester Pike, which has been a volunteer fire company building, through eminent domain. The township plans to condemn the property and use it for general municipal purposes. In April, leadership at Upper Darby Fire Company No. 1 put the firehouse up for sale, citing financial constraints and issues with volunteer recruitment. The township had been advised to enter into a lease agreement with its fire stations but not Station 1 because renovations would be too expensive. Township solicitor Michael Clarke said the township is trying to negotiate a sale. The township wants an appraiser to investigate the building. “This fire station is of such critical importance for fire safety,” Clarke said. “Since they have listed it for sale, we want to make sure that our intent to purchase either through negotiation or eminent domain is clear to the fire company, and to any other potential buyer.”
Source: Daily Times; 5/24/2026