Delco Council Receives Standing Ovation for Approving Eminent Domain Actions in Marple Land Acquisition

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Don Guanella site.
Image via MediaNews Group.
Don Guanella site.

Delaware County Council unanimously approved eminent domain actions July 7 to acquire the 213 acres of the Don Guanella property in Marple for a county park, writes Kathleen Carey for the Daily Times.

The move to acquire the 124 acres belonging to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and 89 acres owned by Marple Glen Development LLC was followed by a standing ovation from those attending the public meeting.

County Councilwoman Elaine Paul Schaefer described the property as an “environmental workhorse,” cleaning the air, cooling the region, filtering water, and performing de-carbonization.

Open space preservation also raises land value around it, saves money on stormwater management and gray infrastructure, and improves the local economy, she said.

“It is well-documented that it has ripple effects in terms of retail, restaurant, all of the economic activity that it brings to the region where it is,” she said.

It will be an expensive purchase, and the county has to pay fair market value.

The archdiocese had earlier sold the land to developer Bruce Goodman for $47 million.

County Councilwoman Christine Reuther said preserving the property is an investment back into the community’s health and well-being.

Read more in the Daily Times about the latest actions regarding the county’s new park.

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