J.D Bravo Selected to Build the Blackwell Community Center

Malvern’s J.D. Bravo Co has been chosen to be one of the firms working on the design and construction of the long awaited Lucien E. Blackwell Community Center in West Philadelphia. J.D. Bravo was chosen for the $6.3 million project near 48th and Brown Streets through an open bidding process that began in November, and its successful bid was announced Wednesday.

J.D. Bravo, which was founded in 2011 by Iraqi war veteran James M. Davie, will be working on the construction of the project in conjunction with JacobsWyper Architects of Philadelphia. J.D Bravo has already announced that the design and construction of the Lucien E. Blackwell Community Center is expected to take around 21 months with the entire project planned to be completed by early 2018.

Growing Popularity of Drones Raises Public Safety Concerns

Once used only by military, drones are now becoming a key tool for the police and the fire department as well as in business and industry. But most worrying, is their growing popularity among recreational users.

45 states considered restrictions on drones in 2015 according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Although no drone incidents have yet occurred in West Chester, Police Chief Scott Bohn expects that without some kind of regulation they are almost certain to occur sometime in the near future.

Last year, two drones crashed in Haverford Township, with one coming down in the middle of a playground filled with over 30 children, immediately raising concerns of public safety. To prevent further incidents, Haverford Police Chief John Viola plans to work with solicitors and the township management to draft ordinance to regulate drone use.

“They’re all over the place. You can go into any hobby store and buy them for $80-$90.”  Viola said.

Stonebridge’s New Owners Plan to Relocate and Rename the Bank

Acquisitions have seen the names of numerous local banks disappear in recent years, but one acquisition will bring back a name that was erased two decades ago, Lancaster County’s Hamilton Bank.

Stonebridge went into bankruptcy last year following the gradual erosion of its assets from $493 million to $115.8 million after the recession, leaving the bank down to 15 employees at its West Chester location. It was recently bought by three Lancaster County investors who are planning to move its headquarters to Lancaster County and rename it Hamilton Bank.

“We’ve gone back to a trusted name, a name with obvious Lancaster connections and a name people remember fondly,” said the lead investor and a former State Representative, Gordon Denlinger. “It’s humbling to see how far this vision has come. We’re well on our way to a successful result.”