Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Here is something new (well maybe not so new)
Coming up sometime soon; might be this month, might be next month, there will be a vote on wether or not to provide funds to shore up a building at the Nathaniel Boileau Park. I believe that the amount requested is around $56,000. In my humble opinion that is throwing good money after bad! I wish the commissioners would take heed from a survey done several years ago and get moving on a community center! The results were that a majority of those who took the survey said that UM needed a community center. Instead of putting money into these buildings that, from what I can tell, not many residents care about, lets do something the whole township can get behind! The township should look into funding to make a community center at the Boileau Park grounds. I have heard several people talk about this (yes they are non-political types) and they feel, as I do, Boileau would be a great location for a community center. The senior citizens could use it during the day and the kids could use it on the weekends and some evenings. There are a multitude of things that can be done there. Just my opinion.
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6 comments:
While I disagree with you about the worthiness of restoring the building, I can understand the taxpayers being unwilling to foot the bill. The township does have more pressing financial needs like, as you pointed out, a community center. I don't think that part of the township needs a community center as much as the south does. Reason? You have the Primary & Secondary School complex as well as the Middle School complex right up the road. Any activities that would be hosted by a community center could be held at one of the schools. Having one a little closer to the center of Willow Grove would be of greater benefit as that section of the township is currently lacking that type of space.
One question Mike, well actually two: 1 - Have you ever tried to get a usage permit for any of the school district properties? Very hard to do. 2 - Where in the center of WG could it go? There is no room in that area. Even if redevelopment were to take place no developer would give up money making space for a community center.
No I haven't tried to get a usage permit for any school district properties. I didn't know it was so difficult. Why is that so? The lion's share of our property taxes go to UMSD. The community should have reasonable access to their facilities.
As far as a community center in Willow Grove...how about all the abandoned Greenleaf properties between Giant & Big Heads? It would be adjacent to Veterans Memorial Park, which is supposed to be the focal point of our redevelopment. If you'll remember, the poll you referred to about the community's need for a community center was specifically directed towards the Willow Grove Redevelopment area. The preliminary plan even had one located on the current Ehrenpfort Block. I realize it was just a general outline of very rough ideas, but the idea was to place it in the heart of the redevelopment area.
Let's be honest; the future prosperity of Upper Moreland Township is heavily tied in with the ability to re-invent our downtown area. Most of our open space and park acreage is north of the Pennypack Creek, while most of the residents of the township are south of it. There's a greater need for recreational & community space in Willow Grove.
One more point...don't be so sure a developer wouldn't make space for a community center. There are advantages to a developer to make just such a consideration.
We're kind of drifting a little from the original point, aren't we? LOL...
Good spelling Mike!
Not many can get that one correct: Ehrenpfort Block
you seem very knowledgable, good to have your opinions.
Thanks Marion - for the both compliments. I'm glad to have the chance to have an open dialogue about UM's future.
Mike,
The reason for the difficulty is that the school clubs and organizations have first choice, then the parent organizations, then the public. Biggest problem is the process; you get bogged down with "red tape".
As for the developer, if there is one major developer then the possibility of a community center from him/her would be great, but the way the commissioners seem to want to go, this severely limits that possibility as they seem to want many developers. This, in my opinion, makes it difficult as each developer will want to develop each property to make money. A community center should be a non-profit place. Like I said previously, no developer will give up their property with out a payback.
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