Politics & Government

Ride Along on Radnor Bus Tour With Patch

Follow Radnor Patch and Radnor officials on a bus tour around the township Friday morning from 8 a.m. to noon.

Radnor Township may only be 13.8 square miles but it has many challenges and issues.

Ride along with Patch and township officials on a bus tour Friday morning as township staff cover various issues and facilities throughout Radnor.

Check back with Patch as we live blog on the bus.

Find out what's happening in Radnorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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11:40

Find out what's happening in Radnorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

It's time to head back to the township building, just in time for lunch.

Someone makes a joke about us going to the White Dog cafe to eat...outside. (The restaurant was denied outdoor dining last night by the Zoning Hearing Board.)

Thanks for riding along with Radnor Patch.

11:35

We stop along Lancaster Avenue at Villanova University, which is in the midst of making changes to its campus. The firm Venturi Scott Brown has created a master plan for the school. Proposed for the large parking lot here is mixed use buildings (residence and commercial), a performing arts center and parking garage.

11:20

We get to Garrett Hill, a close-knit community that recently rezoned itself.

Not too much seems to change in Garrett Hill, but, what Matt Baumann just told us is the best news Radnor Patch has heard all day – what was Brothers Bar will soon be an Indian restaurant by those who own Khajuraho in Ardmore. Very good news for us and those who love Indian cuisine.

 Our computer has 30 percent of battery left and it seems like Villanova University is our next stop.

 11:00

We get off the bus at the Willows and walk into Skunk Hollow to see the small farm and leaf compost pile there.

The farm is no longer a CSA as it was for two seasons as a pilot project. Someone mentions that perhaps it will become a community farm.

As of 2012 township will no longer run the operation of the Willows mansion, Tammy Cohen tells us. Who or what entity will, we do not know.

10:20

Passing by the Willows where you are guaranteed:

 To get a lovely view…

And not to get any wireless access, even with a mobile broadband like we have…

OK, now the adept bus driver is backing this 45-seat megabus between the walls into the Willows park.

What do you like or want to see different at the Willows, which has provided many a special and funny memory for many of us who grew up in Radnor.

10:10

We pass Devon Square shopping center on Sugartown Road. Apparently an eatery named Tootie’s Brasserie is coming in there (from the owners of Blue Horse Boutique in Wayne) and the liquor license is from the now-closed Osaka restaurant. That empty space along Lancaster Avenue should house a new restaurant soon.

Amanda W. Holmes, what can you tell us about Tootie’s???

10:00

There are 422 houses in South Wayne Historic District, the largest of the townships three historic district. We’re driving through it now.

The roads around St. Katharines School and church are packed this morning. Does anyone know why?

Police superintendent says two speed humps are in the future for South Aberdeen Avenue.

In store for Lancaster Avenue at that intersection is an increase in stores and eateries where the Wayne Acme used to be. A Rite Aid may be in the future for where Taco Bell and the former Blockbuster building are.

9:45

Police superintendent William Colarulo tells us that there are 590 metered parking spaces in downtown Wayne.

Apparently all the meters are not being enforced Saturdays, so the township is hiring someone to enforce the meters on that day – fortunately or unfortunately, depending, he said.

About $385,000 is the revenue the township gets from the meters annually.

9:40

We took a coffee break along West Avenue.

Now Matt Baumann is talking about outdoor dining, an issue in the news lately.

White Dog denied for 50 seats; Xilantro approved for 34 seats.

There was an interpretation of an ordinance written in 2007 that the restaurants in downtown Wayne did not have to provide parking for the outdoor dining because it is seasonal and the additional seats are not there year-round, Baumann said.

9:20

We are now at the Eastern University parking lot once owned by Valley Forge Military Academy and College along Radnor Street Road at Walnut Avenue. That property is in limbo; the university has plans to build a learning center there for college-age students with Aspergers.

We are now in North Wayne Historic District, which contains 199 properties. Within the district, any proposals to demolish anything or add onto a building’s footprint you must go in front of the Historic and Architectural Review Board and Board of Commissioners.

Heading under the bridge at Wayne Train Station…will we make it under?

Yes!

We made it to downtown Wayne. Shall we talk about outdoor dining?

9:00

Cabrini is making a proposal for three parking structures for 770 extra parking spaces.

Parking structures are not technically “buildings” and therefore would not require the school going through land development process, although the school has agreed to come in, Matt Baumann said.

The proposal could start going into steep slopes.

The garages would be built on the hill of the campus if you drive along Eagle Road.

The school also wants to build new buildings but take away parking spaces in other parts of the campus, like Villanova University is doing, closing off more of the core of the campus to cars, Baumann said.

Also, there is a road widening project in the works for the intersection of King of Prussia and Eagle roads.

 

 

 

8:50

 

The Creutzberg Center, a Frank Furness-designed mansion being used by Main Line School Night, was discovered recently to have multiple zoning violations and safety issues.

 

The second and third floors have been sealed off and are not in use.

 

The organization is working to fix the problems and renovate, and MLSN will be responsible for significant repairs and investments, said Matt Baumann.

 

It was take a couple of years to address all the issues, he said.

 

Oh, already someone made a Lower Merion joke and an Upper Merion joke. Is Tredyffrin next???

 

8:40

 

Steve Norcini, brand new Public Works Director (who just came from the same position in Tredyffrin Township):

 

King of Prussia pumping station (on KOP road) moves water towards Philadelpha.

When you don’t hear about these little nondescript buildings that’s good, Norcini said.

Because of topography of township, not everything can flow by gravity, he noted.

 

8:30

 

Radnor Memorial Field

 

There is a proposal for turf field from Agnes Irwin and Monday the Board of Commissioners will vote to approve a lease of the field to the private girls school.

The field is a former helopad site for Sun Oil and has housed salt piles for public works department in years past.

Interim Parks and Rec director Tammy Cohen sayd the field has struggled to grow grass over the years there, and there have been playability issues over the years.

Parks and Rec department is a proponent of having the turf field installed, she said.

The cedar comfort station has significant wear because of a lack of maintenance.

Matt Baumann and the township solicitor say the new use for the field, if it is leased to AI, would be consistent with the zoning code and there would be nothing illegal about the change, as some neighbors are alleging.

 

8:12 a.m.

And we're off...First stop is Radnor Financial Center followed by Radnor Memorial Park and the Creutzberg Center.

The bus driver and staff have conferred on how to avoid the many low bridge underpasses that we have in Radnor.

Many township department heads are here, as well as police representatives including the chief and Radnor board members and community members.

Township manager Bob Zienkowski is staying at the municipal building today to talk with the staff. On Monday a reorganization plan is being presented to the Board of Commissioners.

8:16 We simple drive past the financial center and are heading east on Rte. 30 to get to Memorial Field. Need to take Spring Mill to COunty Line in order to avoid bridges.


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