|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Kathy Manderino |
|
Manderino bill allowing Lower Merion Township's sale of park land passes House
HARRISBURG, March 18 – The state House this week passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Kathy Manderino, D-Phila./Montgomery, that would allow Lower Merion Township to sell Smith Cottage, located on .035 acres of Lewis J. Smith Park in Belmont Hills.
"Since the Smith Cottage has been vacant since the late 1990's, the township has looked at several ways to put it to good use," Manderino said. "However, the cost of renovating the cottage are simply too high for the township to justify or recoup, which is why the township has decided to sell the cottage and the land on which it rests."
Selling the land requires legislative approval since it was purchased through the state's Project 70 Land Acquisition and Borrowing Act (Act 8 of 1964), which authorized the Commonwealth to issue bonds for municipalities such as Lower Merion Township to purchase land for public parks and recreational use.
"This legislation would simply allow the township to sell the small piece of land at fair market value, which is approximately $180,000. Sale of the cottage will include a perpetual façade easement to ensure the permanence of the property. The township must then use proceeds from the sale within two years to acquire another portion of open space of equal value and usefulness," Manderino said.
The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources would have to approve the township's purchase. Project 70 restrictions would apply to whatever park land the township purchases.
"The Township is hopeful that this important legislation will see similar success in the Senate," remarked Lindsay Taylor, director of Parks and Recreation. "Proceeds from the sale of the Smith Cottage would certainly be put to good use to as we continually seek to improve and expand our township’s open space areas."
With current interest in the development of the Cynwyd trail, Manderino said it is hoped that useful open space can be found adjacent to the trail property.
House Bill 109 now heads to the Senate for consideration.
###mds/2009/bfg
l:'print'releases'lowermerionparkland.194