News Briefs for November 15, 2024
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Wayne Presbyterian Church in Radnor Township sits at the intersection of Lancaster and North Wayne avenues. The township has leased a parking lot from the church for decades, but is now considering taking the lot through eminent domain.
Photo: Smallbones (CC0)
SEPTA is facing a financial crisis, might raise fares 29%
SEPTA's deficit is fueled by the end of federal COVID relief funding along with a drop in ridership post-pandemic. SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said the agency’s goal in talks with lawmakers is "getting a permanent solution in place" to address long-term annual deficits. Should funding remain flat, the transportation agency is considering fare increases up to 29%, service cuts of up to 20%, and hiring freezes for some positions, such as administrative posts.
Source: Axios Philadelphia; 11/12/2024 & Billy Penn; 11/12/2024
With much of PA under drought watch, burn bans in place
Many Pennsylvania counties are under a drought watch, including all of the Philadelphia region. Two nearby counties, Berks and Schuylkill, are under a drought warning. Burn bans are in effect in Bucks, Chester and many other counties in the commonwealth. More details are available on the PA Drought Information website.
Source: PA DEP; 11/14/2024
Toll Brothers buys 17 acres in Sellersville
Toll Brothers has purchased a vacant 17-acre site in Sellersville. The property is at 716 Lawn Ave., east of Route 309, between Cathill Road and Farmers Lane and just south of the newly expanded Grand View Hospital. The plans for the site include 72 carriage-style townhomes for 55-plus active adults. Named Regency at Rockhill Ridge, Toll Brothers anticipates beginning site work “shortly,” with new homes opening for sale in fall 2025. Toll Brothers active-adult communities include first-floor primary bedrooms in the homes with many of the developments offering amenities like a clubhouse and swimming pool. The development will add to several other sites Toll Brothers is building in Bucks County, including 137 townhomes in Doylestown and 38 single-family homes in Quakertown. The developer has also purchased an 86-acre site in Langhorne.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 11/12/2024
Centennial’s superintendent status is unresolved
Centennial School District Superintendent Dr. Dana T. Bedden submitted a letter to the school board on Oct. 28 to “formally inform” the body that he would “not be seeking an extension of his current five-year contract, which expires on June 30, 2025.” Bedden has had a contentious relationship with some members of the school board, most recently with President Mary Alice Brancato. Several board members, including Democrats Jane Schrader Lynch, Patti Crossan and Tony Sadowski, and joined by Republican Charles Martin, said they believed the rest of the board recently met in executive session along with the board's solicitor. After that meeting, the solicitor conveyed the discussion to Bedden and that prompted Bedden to submit his letter. After a contentious discussion, Republican Board Member Dr. Kathleen Maguire broke from board leadership and made a motion to table the motion acknowledging Dr. Dana T. Bedden's decision to leave the district at the end of the school year. Maguire said she could not make “an informed decision” that evening. The motion passed. Read more detail in the Bucks County Herald.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 11/12/2024
Central Bucks announces pilot full-day kindergarten sites
Central Bucks School District has announced the six elementary schools where a full-day kindergarten pilot program will launch for the 2025-2026 school year:
- Cold Spring Elementary School
- Doyle Elementary School
- Groveland Elementary School
- Jamison Elementary School
- Kutz Elementary School
- Mill Creek Elementary School
The pilot program will run in two elementary schools from each of the three tracks that dictate which middle and high school each student attends in the district. Central Bucks plans to implement the program in all elementary schools the following year.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 11/8/2024
Doylestown wrestles with crumbling downtown building
Problems at a vacant Doylestown Borough building have escalated since pieces of the three-story, brick building at 34 W. State St. fell to the sidewalk in June. The sidewalk area around the building was closed off until September, when the property owner installed scaffolding that allowed pedestrian movement on the walkway again. The borough filed citations against the property owner for obstructing the sidewalk and for the building’s condition with Magisterial District Justice Mark D. Douple. A hearing is scheduled for Dec. 19, according to Karen Hyland, the borough’s director of building and zoning. If found guilty, the penalty could be as much as $1,000 a day for each of the two violations — with possible totals for each being $21,000 for sidewalk obstruction and over $70,000 for ongoing failure to maintain the building. Hyland also said the borough is preparing to file a lawsuit with the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas to force improvements to the building’s façade.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 11/11/2024
Hilltown looks to make it 14 years without a tax increase
Hilltown Township supervisors gave preliminary approval to a proposed 2025 municipal budget of $14.6 million that would keep the township’s property tax rate at the same level for the 14th year in a row. If approved without change, the budget includes a municipal tax rate of 8.75 mills. A mill is equal to $1 of every $1,000 of a property’s assessed value. A Hilltown property assessed at $60,000 will have a township real estate tax bill of $525 under the planned 2025 rate. County and school district property taxes add to the overall levy load, but are not set by the township. Hilltown’s earned income tax is expected to continue to be 0.5% in 2025. The budget is currently available for public review and will be adopted in the future following a public hearing.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 11/12/2024
Exton Square Mall under contract with buyer eyeing redevelopment
Exton Square Mall in West Whiteland Township is under contract to sell to a local developer with plans to overhaul the struggling property, according to sources familiar with the deal. Elkins Park-based Abrams Realty & Development's plans include tearing down a portion of the mall and adding residences along with a variety of other uses to the retail center, the sources say. Abrams specializes in building and owning retail properties in the Philadelphia area and owns a portfolio of 3.1 million square feet. The PREIT-owned, nearly 990,000-square-foot mall is anchored by Boscov’s and Macy’s. It was 62% occupied as of the spring. Philadelphia-based PREIT has identified the property as “non-core” and considered adding non-retail uses given its struggles as a traditional mall. The 72-acre property sits at the intersection of Route 100 and Route 30, about four miles from the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The entire site is within West Whiteland’s town center zoning designation, meaning a mix of residential and nonresidential uses are allowed at the highest density permitted in the township. Allowable nonresidential uses include retail, restaurants, office, hotels and fitness clubs.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 11/7/2024
Plans for NVF site in Kennett Square call for nearly 300 new homes
Kennett Square residents learned about developers’ vision for the old National Vulcanized Fibre Company (NVF) site at a forum held at Kennett Library on Nov. 7. Plans for the 22-acre site along West Mulberry Street call for construction of 294 “for rent” and “for sale” residential units. The complex will include 246 single-family townhomes: 38 single-family townhomes and 104 stacked townhomes with two units each, as well as a projected total of 492 parking spaces for residents and visitors. They are expected to be priced in the upper $300,000s for a 1,200-square-foot residence up to the low-to-mid $500,000s for a 2,220-square-foot residence. In addition, the complex will offer 48 mixed-income and affordable multifamily residential units that will be accompanied by 149 additional parking spaces. Glen Morgan, a principal of Delaware Valley Development Corporation (DVDC), described the 48 units as “housing for the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker.” Read more at Chester County Press.
Source: Chester County Press; 11/14/2024
Coatesville redevelopment project takes another step forward
Plans to bring a mixed-use commercial and entertainment development project to Coatesville have taken another step forward. Coatesville has completed the sale of a 24-acre parcel of land known as the Flats to IDG Development, which plans to build the National Sports & Events Center, a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose arena and special-events center featuring a world-class velodrome. The sale was completed on Oct. 31. Completion of the project is expected to have an economic development ripple effect for Coatesville — through the creation of new jobs, small business openings, youth engagement opportunities, tourism, increased foot traffic and new tax revenue for future improvement projects, according to Coatesville City Manager James Logan. “The sale of the Flats and the construction of the National Sports & Events Center represents a major step for Coatesville’s future growth and addresses the region’s need for a multi-purpose facility that seats up to 3,000 people,” Logan said in a statement. “The project represents a significant piece of the city’s planning efforts to attract new development opportunities in the area.”
Source: Daily Local; 11/11/2024
Penn Township to consider raising EIT
The Penn Township Board of Supervisors will consider increasing the earned income and net profits tax to 0.75%. The estimated revenue to be derived from the tax increase during 2025 is $355,000. If adopted, the tax ordinance will be effective on Jan. 1, 2025. A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. at the Penn Township Municipal Building located at 260 Lewis Road, West Grove.
Source: Daily Local; 11/11/2024
Media Borough to consider leaf blower ordinance
Media Borough Council will consider an ordinance regulating the use of combustion-powered leaf blowers. The proposed ordinance will prohibit the use of leaf blowers from sunset until 9 a.m. on weekdays during the school year (Sept. 1 to June 30). The ordinance will be considered at a public meeting on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Borough of Media Building, 301 N. Jackson St.
Source: Daily Times; 11/11/2024
Radnor expected to vote on using eminent domain to take church lot
Radnor commissioners last month delayed a decision on using eminent domain to take property owned by Wayne Presbyterian Church for a municipal parking lot in Wayne’s business district. But the vote is now expected to happen at the commissions' next meeting. Through a lease agreement dating back to the 1940s, the township has used the parking lot as a municipal lot for the Wayne Business District. Over the past 15 months, the township and the church have been negotiating an updated agreement. In August, the church sent the township a notice to terminate the agreement. Following the church’s notice, the township responded with its decision to use eminent domain. Township officials say there have been a lot of conversations going on between the township and the church.
Source: Mainline Times and Suburban; 11/11/2024
Newtown Township seeks volunteer applications
Newtown Township is accepting online volunteer applications to serve on township boards, committees and commissions. The application to volunteer can be found here. The deadline for submission is Dec. 6.
Source: Newtown Township; 11/2024
Chester receiver continues push to monetize water assets
Chester’s appointed receiver, Michael T. Doweary, anticipates that the monetization of the city’s water assets could occur as early as next summer. Doweary said the mediation process would continue through the federal courts with the Chester Water Authority and DELCORA, the wastewater authority. The receiver and the CWA have been in mediation since 2022. The receiver has said that a key component of the monetization is that the assets would remain in public hands. Another key aspect would be that Octoraro Reservoir, which is where the Chester Water Authority gets its water, would continue to have public access and use. The receiver has split the procurement process into two stages in coming months: a request for qualifications, and a request for bids. On Nov. 20, the request for qualifications will be released.
Source: Daily Times; 11/13/2024
Delcora to smoke-test lines in Nether Providence and Rose Valley
DELCORA will conduct a smoke test of its sanitary sewer lines. Work crews will be in Nether Providence and Rose Valley from Nov. 18 to 22 and on Nov. 25, from 8 a.m. to 3p.m. Smoke may be seen coming from manholes, vent stacks or holes in the ground. Delcora has noted that the smoke is nontoxic, nonstaining and odorless. It is white to gray in color and creates no fire hazard. Residents in Nether Providence and Rose Valley can find more information here.
Source: Nether Providence Township; 11/2024
Upper Pottsgrove eyes 3.75% tax increase
Upper Pottsgrove Township officials are considering a tax increase for the first time in 15 years. The draft $4.4 million 2025 budget calls for an increase in the tax rate from the current 4 mills to 4.15 mills — a 3.75% increase. Township Manager Michelle Reddick estimates that, for a home assessed at $100,000, the increase would add $75 to the annual tax bill. Reddick reported that 2024 is expected to close out with a $250,000 deficit between income and expenses and it is currently estimated that the 2025 budget will carry a $368,000 deficit without an increase in revenues. Reddick told supervisors that township roads and storm sewers have “been neglected,” community EMS services are facing serious problems, and the cost of maintaining the township’s open space is increasing. Not discussed at the meeting was Upper Pottsgrove’s failure to contribute its share to the Pottstown Regional Library for the past three years. The library recently announced it will be cutting hours next month, due in part to the township’s failure to contribute. Several tax hike options were presented to the commissioners on a spreadsheet, which — along with a visual presentation of the draft budget — was not shared with the public. The commissioners plan to vote to advertise the budget at the Nov. 18 meeting.
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 11/12/2024
MCHA announces open enrollment for Housing Choice Voucher Program waiting list
The Montgomery County Housing Authority will accept applications for the Housing Choice Voucher Program waiting list from Nov. 15 to 21. Applications must be submitted online and are available in both English and Spanish. The application process is not first-come, first-served. All applications submitted within the designated timeframe will be given equal consideration for placement on the waiting list. Find out more here.
Source: Jenkintown Borough; 11/13/2024
PREIT accelerates apartment plan at Plymouth Meeting mall
Residential developments are taking shape next to the PREIT-owned Moorestown Mall and Plymouth Meeting Mall. Plymouth Meeting-based Bel Canto Asset Growth Fund plans to begin vertical construction on 375 residential units on a 6.3-acre outparcel in the parking lot of the Moorestown Mall in the beginning of 2025. PREIT is following a similar strategy at Plymouth Meeting Mall, where the company is “softly marketing” land next to the mall to residential developers, according to PREIT CEO Jared Chupaila. PREIT has received approval from Plymouth Township to build 275 units in the site’s parking lot. After emerging from bankruptcy protection, PREIT still has roughly $300 million in debt to pay off. PREIT aims to finalize business plans for each of its 17 malls in the coming months.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 11/11/2024
Indoor pickleball courts open in Montco
Lansdale recently saw the opening of Dill Dinkers, a 37,000-square-foot, indoor pickleball facility at Velocity Station at 1180 Church Road. The opening came several months later than initially expected due to construction delays. The Lansdale Dill Dinkers includes 11 indoor courts, a pro shop and event space. Operator Andrew Wakefield said he is hopeful a second location in Hatboro will open later this year. It will span 48,000 square feet at Hatboro's Station Park, a mixed-used commercial building at 330 Warminster Road. The Philadelphia region has experienced a steady growth in people looking to open indoor pickleball centers during the past two years. Another indoor pickleball center in Montgomery County recently made its debut when the 12-court Forward Pickleball opened on Nov. 7 in Audubon. Other indoor pickleball centers are in the planning stages in areas including Plymouth Meeting, Horsham, Newtown and Moorestown.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 11/11/2024
City council kicks off series of hearings devoted to Sixers’ arena proposal
The 76ers and SEPTA have yet to reach an agreement over how the cash-strapped transit authority will cover the additional operational costs it is expected to incur if the team’s $1.55 billion arena proposal is authorized by city council. That fact, and the need to find a financial solution, came up repeatedly during the first in a series of daylong council hearings dedicated to examining the Sixers’ plan to build a new facility on top of Jefferson Station in Center City. The hearing unfolded on the same day SEPTA announced its own plans to significantly raise fare prices and make severe service cuts in the face of a fiscal crisis. The authority is also in the midst of negotiating a new contract with its largest bargaining unit, which is demanding higher wages for its members, among other things. Read more at PlanPhilly.
Source: PlanPhilly; 11/12/2024
More landlords are marketing units to renters with housing vouchers
More landlords are advertising their units to voucher holders, many in the face of increased vacancy rates at market-rate apartment buildings, particularly at newer properties in hot neighborhoods like Fishtown and Northern Liberties. Between 2021 and 2023, Philadelphia saw a spike in construction starts after a bevy of real estate developers lined up to beat changes to the city’s property tax abatement program. The building boom created a rare apartment glut, spurring a level of competition that has made it more challenging for landlords to lease up their higher-end properties. Read more here.
Source: PlanPhilly; 11/12/2024
Car-free streets will return to Rittenhouse Square this winter
Center City’s Rittenhouse Row will become temporarily pedestrian-only on Sundays, Dec. 8 and Dec. 15, for holiday shopping. “Last September’s pilot program saw nearly 90% of businesses reporting increased foot traffic, some by as much as 300%,” according to Center City District. There are approximately 50 retail storefronts along Walnut Street between 15th and 19th streets. The area will be reserved exclusively for established retailers — mobile food trucks, street vendors or pop-up markets are not permitted to participate. The retail corridor includes a smattering of clothing stores, coffee shops, restaurants and specialty retailers that could see a boost in sales as pedestrians stroll, shop and dine without the stress of traffic. Existing restaurants can extend their tables onto the sidewalk for customers as a pop-out streetery. The Center City District, the Rittenhouse Row business group and the city of Philadelphia collaborated on the program as one way to improve pedestrian traffic for retailers on the commercial corridor.
Source: PlanPhilly; 11/12/2024
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