All tagged Development
As a Professor of Finance and Economics at Wharton and a 45-year resident of Swarthmore, I have been following the recent debate over plans to build a 36-unit condominium opposite the library with more than passing interest. I’m afraid I could not resist thinking this through as an economist, and thought it might be useful to share my thoughts—for better or worse, you decide.
Opposition to the proposed condominium project at 110 Park Avenue remains after the developers unveiled a revised design. Concerns about the scale of the building, the historical significance of existing buildings, and public safety remain primary points of contention.
State Senator Tim Kearney, who was the chair of Swarthmore’s Planning Commission prior to becoming mayor of Swarthmore, provided his thoughts on the 2013 zoning code changes and the current condo development project under consideration.
After considering community feedback, the developers who have proposed a new condominium building at 110 Park Avenue have unveiled a new design. “We really did a lot of strategizing, spent a lot of time, and developed what I think is an extraordinarily very different, attractive building,” said Swarthmore resident Bill Cumby, whose building firm, W.S. Cumby, is behind the project, in partnership with Don Delson (also a Swarthmore resident), and in consultation with the architecture firm Bernardon.
At its November 8th legislative meeting, Swarthmore Borough Council approved the proposed 2022 budget, which calls for a 3.5% tax increase to fund a $5.66 million operating budget. The public comment section of the meeting was primarily devoted to an update on the progress of a study related to affordable housing development in the borough. Towards the end of the meeting, Borough Manager Billings reported that, pursuant to a recent directive from the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority, all 49 municipalities in Delaware County will be faced with an immediate 20% increase in tipping fees.
I am one of the 26 community members who offered my opinion at the October 20 Planning Commission meeting about the proposed 5-story condominium project on Park Avenue. I appreciate the developers taking the time to respond to the community’s concerns in last week’s issue of The Swarthmorean. However, I believe they still misunderstand the deeper issue: their current vision for this building is fundamentally at odds with the character of Swarthmore.
As The Swarthmorean reported online on October 22 in a special recap of the October 20 Swarthmore Planning Commission meeting at Borough Hall, 26 community members stepped up to the microphone to voice their opinions about the proposed condominium project that would span 102-104 and 110-112 Park Avenue in Swarthmore. The comments coalesced around several themes.
“We thank all of those residents who took the time to attend the October 20th planning meeting to share their thoughts on the proposed development at 110 Park Avenue. As long-time residents of Swarthmore, we value community feedback, and appreciate how civically engaged many Swarthmoreans are, so it was gratifying to see that engagement in action at last Wednesday’s planning meeting.”
Members of the community gathered at the Swarthmore Borough Hall for a presentation by the developers of a planned condominium project on Park Avenue in Swarthmore. 26 people took the microphone to share their thoughts on the project — many in opposition, some in support, and some in between.
The Swarthmorean has more information about the planned development of condominiums by Bill Cumby and his building firm W.S. Cumby, in partnership with Don Delson, both longtime residents of Swarthmore. Cumby and Delson will present the initial plans for this project to Swarthmore’s Planning Commission at 7:30 on Wednesday, October 20.
The Swarthmorean has more information about the planned development of condominiums by Bill Cumby and his building firm W.S. Cumby, in partnership with Don Delson, both longtime residents of Swarthmore. Cumby and Delson will present the initial plans for this project to Swarthmore’s Planning Commission at 7:30 on Wednesday, October 20. For subscribers only.
