Save Our Swarthmore Defense Fund

This campaign is being led by Save Our Swarthmore. S.O.S. (Save Our Swarthmore) LLC is a group of Swarthmore citizens concerned about the proposed multi-use development on Park Avenue. We are opposed to the scale of the current design and the destruction of buildings of historic value which will also displace successful businesses.

The money raised will be used for the legal defense fund to fight the proposed 110 Park Development Plan. The funds raised will be withdrawn to an account managed by Save Our Swarthmore and then remitted to our attorney. 

In order to protect the town, we need the support of legal counsel. Contributions to this group will be directly used for any legal and administrative costs required to ensure our town reviews this proposal from all angles including preservation and safety concerns. 

Visit www.saveourswarthmore.org for info on all of the important upcoming Borough Council Meetings, Planning Commission Meetings, and Zoning Hearing Board Meetings. PLEASE ATTEND and make public comment about the project. 

 

If you have not yet signed our petition, please do and share with friends. We are now 860 strong and counting!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe2HZje6o9OAfH0trB9qFY5yab3bYcQg4W1Isyk3b_zadKWTw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&fbclid=IwAR1pe7R5etqNWH-QfEGHpGwWt4RhS3MF7qwUg_7kDLmjHoAEPtFWgoD3g6M 

Our current focus is the existing proposal made by 110 Park Developers, but we also have broader interest in making long term adjustments to our zoning code to appropriately protect historic buildings in Swarthmore and seek designation of Swarthmore as a Historic District. Any money not used in pursuit of the mentioned goals will be returned to the donors accordingly. The attorney has been excellent to date issuing a Request for Determination, representing the voices of SOS in order to protect the process, and game planning ways to ensure we appropriately challenge the illegal development. 

 

We know that these buildings are identified in the Historic Resources Survey prepared by John Pickett in 2001 and therefore are subject to the regulations of the zoning code.

 

We know that Section 1256.06(a) states that in order for a building of historic value to be demolished, it must either be structurally unsound or not have a substantial negative effect on the character of Town Center.

 

We are concerned that demolition of these historic buildings violates this standard and will set a precedent that could permit the demolition of buildings like the Beaux Arts Shirer Building, The Classical Revival PNC Bank building, and the Tudor Revival Michaels Pharmacy building.

 

We agree with the purpose of the intent of the Town Center Zoning District, 1256.01, to

 

• “Encourage the retention of the Town Center streetscape by preserving the existing

buildings of historic significance to the greatest extent possible.”

 

• “Promote the reuse of existing structures, and the construction of new structures in a

manner that maintains the visual character and architectural scale of the Town Center.”

 

We are not opposed to development in Swarthmore Town Center and look forward to future development that is compatible with our existing historic buildings, and consistent with the character and scale of our wonderful town that means so much to us all.

For Updates on this Project, please visit www.saveourswarthmore.org or https://www.swarthmorepa.org/2270/Park-Avenue-Development-Project-Document 

UPDATE MARCH 16th

A Victory for the Community

The past 18 months have been challenging and even painful, with both highs and lows. The advent of the 110 Park Avenue Condo project really forced the community to speak up for our shared civic life, aspirations, and values. Dialogue about preservation, affordability, sustainability, the value of public space, safety, and a host of other issues have lead to change and initiatives at multiple levels of municipal government, and of course, rethinking of the Zoning Code.

Clarification of the language surrounding "conditional use" (demolition permitting) and, as of Monday, a reduction in the maximum allowable height of new construction from 65'/5 stories to 45'/4 stories are now part of our Zoning Code, and more holistic rethinking of Town Center Zoning is being led by a consultant and is in progress! In addition, the Historic Preservation Task Force continues to work towards ensuring protection for our most valued historic resources. This is a direct result of vocal advocacy by SOS and other Civic groups and individuals.

Finally, please do take a moment to reflect on how much good has come from this at times painful process. The current iteration of the 110 Park project is better than the original in some important respects (pedestrian safety excepted), and, regardless of the final outcome, we are a better and more self-aware community for this debate.

With gratitude,

The SOS Team