Villanova University hopes to add new dormitories, a parking garage and retail space where its main parking lot currently sits on Lancaster Avenue.
When the redevelopment plan was first presented, it did not include a pedestrian walk over busy Lancaster Avenue. But the walk was something that many in the community thought should come with all of the new building.
The school's design team has chosen the location for the bridge at "Church Walk," the intersection where St. Thomas of Villanova Church is. It would be 475 feet in length and have an elevation of 17 feet from the street to the base of the crossing, reports Main Line Media News.
The newspaper writes, "The crossing will start at the exit of the train station and will “connect with the Septa bridge.” and meets up perfectly at the other end of the pedestrian crosswalk with the church on Main Campus. To incorporate handicapped travelers, there will be an elevator shaft for people who cannot use the two stair cases that will also be built on the train side. On that side of Lancaster Ave., the crosswalk will be nestled between the proposed apartment complex and a parking lot."
Do you think a pedestrian bridge is a good idea? Will it be used?
The "written evidence" you are demanding I produce regarding the drain on the people and the RTPD was already provided to you in a link which I included in my first answer to you. Didn't you read it? No? Please SCROLL BACK,.. all the way back to your original questions to me,.. there you will find the links. FOLLOW THE ENCLOSED LINK and PLEASE CAREFULLY STUDY the words straight from the mouths of the RTPD CHIEF, and also the LMTPD CHIEF; and see what you think about what they say regarding the situation. Also, there is "written evidence", past and present, for you to read each and every week,... right here on the Patch,.. simply go to the POLICE & FIRE section, and read - note the crimes and address,.. let's you know where our enforcement resources are being expended. Hope this helps clarify the situation for you
Your words, not theirs. In fact if you read the article Radnor Police Chief Colarulo praised Villanova as a "good partner in law enforcement". He also acknowledges that Villanova is doing its best to work with his department. He hopes for more cooperation and for more expulsions for any wayward kids (offenders do have a right to due process prior to any disciplinary decision). Never once does that article reference a "drain on resources" or disdain for Villanova by the police. You act as though Radnor PD is over burdened. Villanova is fixing that by moving students on campus with their plan to build on Lancaster Ave. Also, I am not going to go through the police blotter to look at how many times Radnor PD responds to Villanova. It is a specious argument just like your assertion that Villanova is a drain on Radnor's resources when in fact Villanova is big time contributor to the town. So back to my questions, how about all the over time pay VILLANOVA pays Radnor Officers for working their events (through the town)? . Do you know Villanova does not even rely on Radnor for EMS services? I have seen the Villanova ambulance service driving around as long as I have lived here. Lastly, please respond to the link I have provided that covers all that Villanova gives to our town. Thanks!
Colarulo said Villanova has been a good partner to law enforcement, too, but it could be quicker to suspend and expel students who get in legal trouble. "The university's doing its best to work with us. We just have to hope they do more," Colarulo said. End Quote. That's the whole thing. PERIOD.
Really? That's good news, since I can't figure out exactly "what team" it is that you are on. There is an existing documented problem - we have lived with it for years - which due to the proposal of an Overhead Walkway above Lancaster Avenue - that problem has the potential to become worse for everyone. I offered a solution which would provide for all: A) Reduced visual impact on our landscape B) Increased security and safety to students, residents and motorists C) Job creation within our community during a failing economy D) Reduce the burden to our Radnor Police E) Provide for the Development/Expansion goals for a growing Villanova University F) Increase protection - from two fronts - for immediate area resident home owners And - as politely as I could - repeatedly answer all of your charged and pointed questions, complete with verifiable documentation via links for your edification. So, no sir, I have no idea what "Team" it is that you are on, as you say. However, I will agree to stop answering your questions and providing you with facts.
My word you have gotten extremely argumentative and caustic in your responses! Since I cannot reply directly I will have to reply down here. I know I said I wanted to move on but hey, I am glutten for punishment! What can I say? "The university's doing its best to work with us. We just have to hope they do more," Colarulo said. I would assume you are not a lawyer because if this is your evidence that Villanova is a burden on the local infrastructure and resources then you present a weak case. In fact, it appears you are putting words in our police chief's mouth. I do not see any perjorative language in that article by any local official. I did a quick google search looking for studies or any substantive evidence to support the claim that Villanova is a burden on Radnor Township. I cannot find anything (granted I am not the most intelligent person out there so it might very well exist). What I can find is that Villanova contributes millions annually to Radnor Township. I know first hand that Villanova is gracious to its neighbors and holds its students accountable. "That's the whole thing. PERIOD." So, I ask again, please point me to a study, newstory, or independent finding that underscores the drain on resources that Villanova causes. Also, please respond to this link. I am curious to see your thoughts. http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/media/pressreleases/2011/1220.html Please keep it civil, we are all adults and Radnor residents.
We watched the game and went home - sorry it didn't work out that way for Corey Stokes, the person who received the citation from the Police later that same night at 3am. Also, it is clear you have no knowledge of the Police being Understaffed, which explains why you keep going on and on, Therefore, here is our Chief regarding the situation with our understaffed and over-taxed Radnor Police http://radnor.patch.com/articles/with-budget-cuts-looming-radnor-talks-staff Read it straight form the Chief himself. The Chief did this interview made in an effort to raise awareness of this issue. Obviously, you knew absolutely nothing about this.
http://radnor.patch.com/articles/with-budget-cuts-looming-radnor-talks-staffing
My goodness, where in that article does it say the Villanova is a "drain" on Radnor's resources or the reason for the budget crunch? Why do you continue to ignore my request for you to comment on all the money Villanova reinvests back into Radnor? Why do I feel like Sisyphus when debating you? Please stop trying to belittle me as I seek to have a civil discussion with you. Just because I do not follow the party line or march in step with your agenda do not try to insult me. Bottom line, and this is something I think you know but don't want to admit, Villanova does not drain resources from Radnor Township. Radnor Township may indeed have strains on its police/fire/EMS but at no point have you decisively proven that Villanova is the direct reason these agencies are stretched beyond their limit. Villanova has their own Public Safety and EMS. Radnor PD comes in when events require state sanctioned law enforcement. End of story. Furthermore, it is a nonstarter because as I pointed out earlier, and I bet you a coke on this, the Radnor Police Chief would not endorse installing a state sanctioned law enforcement agency at Villanova. Anyway, I think we can both agree that Villanova gives far more than it takes. It creates jobs, works with neighbors, and invests millions annually in the township keeping my taxes low. I recommend you abandon your parochial agenda and open your eyes to world around you. Villanova has been around since the mid 1800's.
The meeting was in response to ON-GOING LOCALIZED NUISANCE PROBLEMS, and our Chiefs' hope that VU, while a good partner in law enforcement, will act swifter, sterner with offenders, and "do more". The link: WITH BUDGET CUTS LOOMING RADNOR TALKS STAFFING addresses the understaffed and overtaxed situation our officers are suffering under. "Colarulo said that Radnor has, at present, 38 officers, down from 48 in 2005, and with eight eligible for retirement in 2013, could potentially have as few as 30 by next year." With 3 officers on patrol and one one the desk, on any given shift, if an officer needs to call for back-up to deal with a high-priority call, that leaves one lone officer - with no immediate mobile support - to cover 14 sq. miles and 30,000+ residents The link: VILLANOVA STOKES CITED FOR PUBLIC URINATION was the place I could find the score and document the date of the last VU Basketball we attended - being your direct question of me. It would be nice if you might concern yourself with the welfare of our officers and citizens, rather than worrying about what basketball games I have attended (?) Since the facts are being provided to you - and on your behalf - could you make an effort to relate them to the specific questions you are asking for clarity on
I DID NOT see the 'Post Game Show" that night, starring Villanova guard, Corey Stokes, when he was cited by Police after the game at 3:00 am for public urination outside a Bryn Mawr bar on Lancaster Ave, http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillyhoops/Villanovas_Stokes_cited_for_public_urination.html Sadly, our family can no longer get to the games, as we are too busy doing dealing with this type of thing now http://brynmawr.patch.com/articles/top-cops-vow-attention-to-students-boozy-behavior" He does realize that he's making the case FOR this bridge and project. The whole point of the bridge in this location is to help facilitate new pedestrian patterns in association with the proposed new housing and parking design on the Lancaster Ave. lot. This will remove the students from surrounding neighborhoods, and place them on campus in a far more structured/monitored environment. Also, Corey Stokes taking a leak outside at 3am (which you repeatedly cite) has exactly what to do with this proposal?
Please quote me accurately.
http://radnor.patch.com/articles/lower-merion-stats-show-most-nuisance-charges-from-nova-students It says: Villanova students committed the majority of Lower Merion Township's 'nuisance offenses. Of 186 arrests in August through October, 110 involved Villanova students, Hope that explains to you the burden on ALL Police, Citizens, and Good Students 110 out of 186 arrests in just three months belonging to VU STUDENTS,.. NOT A RECORD TO BE PROUD OF
I suggested that in lui of an overhead bridge, an underground tunnel be considered to accommodate the safety of citizens, motorists, and VU students alike - while providing for VU's future development needs and expansion goals, and keep everyone in the whole community safe, I am not bad mouthing anyone, the LINKS offered in response by "pep squad yo-ho's" who asked for documentation,.. sorry if the FACTS paint a poor picture, The negative press belongs solely to the earned reputation of Problem VU Students - They don't need me to badmouth them,.. they do quite fine at that themselves while in Police custody. Its just a shame that Radnor resident tas-dollars have to keep paying for VU student criminal acts. Facts are Facts,... sorry if VU students make VU look bad - I have nothing to do with that, Apparently, even upon graduation, the criminal behavior keeps popping up in the press http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2011/05/04/sports/doc4dc0a1a120de0539990134.txt No Sir,.. VU Students let their criminal actions do the bad mouthing for themselves. Any other questions?
Your main assertion is that Villanova is a burden on our police department. You provide no direct evidence except two separate articles that you try to link as one causing the other. I realize your animus towards anything Villanova will blind you to the fact that your argument is weak and unsubstantiated but feel free to keep throwing things out there as "facts according to swell guy". YOU CONTINUE TO REFUSE TO COMMENT ON THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS VILLANOVA GIVES, I SAID GIVES TO RADNOR TOWNSHIP ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. Instead, you would rather draw CONCLUSIONS of your own and attack Villanova and a resident of Radnor that does not believe in your myopic views. I have presented a direct FACT that Villanova gives millions to the school system freeing up funds for other services in town. You provide an article where the police chief himself states "Villanova is a good partner in law enforcement". Then you turn to Lower Merion, not even Radnor Township, to pile on. Here is solution, why don't you join me and be a good neighbor and close down the bars in the area? Oh that is right because it is important to our tax base. Can't have it both ways pal. Feel free to hurl insults at me, it is the sign of a person that is defeated. Also, why no angst towards Eastern, Cabrini, or Rosemont? Oh, I know, because those places are not as close to your property so they are not a problem in your eyes.
The 'assertion" is that of the LMTPD, The RTPD, the Commissioner of the ward in which VU resides, and the victimized residents of both Townships http://radnor.patch.com/articles/lower-merion-stats-show-most-nuisance-charges-from-nova-students#comments_list READ THE DOCUMENTED STATISTICAL DATA In case you get lost on the way over to that article, here is a quote "VU student conduct is having an enormous negative impact on our community, primarily in Bryn Mawr, and it has to stop," Zelov told Patch. "Our police department is responding, and it is now time for Villanova to do more." Villanova media relations officials have not responded to Patch's request for comment. Of course they had no comment, what can you say to documented FACTS, as it speaks volumes that Bryn Mawr is in BOTH townships, and yet they are suffering more than anyone.
John Fisher, the Radnor Township commissioner whose ward covers much of Villanova's campus, said, "I am not aware of a specific nuisance crime issue associated with college students here in Radnor neighborhoods but with over 10,000 college students on the mainline it a real concern." "Radnor police respond to numerous calls throughout the year on and around the Villanova campus related to student issues.Last year I collected Radnor police reports for the VU campus area and quickly ran out space on my desk." The first quote shows that where we live Villanova is not a real problem. The second is nebulous at best. Radnor PD responds to numerous calls at the train station, Radnor High School, and many residents throughout the town. I am sure a years worth of those reports would clutter his desk as well. I applaud you for looking out for Bryn Mawr and I say we get together and fight to close down the bars there. That is the real problem. Lower Merions desire for Tax revenue must be thwarted so we can keep Villanova kids safe! Mr. Zelov, I hear your cry, CLOSE THE BARS! Also, why don't you join me and saying a big thank you to Villanova for contributing millions to our town that help to keep our tax rates low all while benefitting our children.
until he was ARMED WITH THE FACTS by calling for the RTPD Arrest reports of VU Students,.-. "I collected Radnor police reports for the VU campus area and quickly ran out space on my desk." - and then he became "Aware", of the FACTS Unaware = Not Knowing,.. it does not mean there is No Problem LOL!
Also, please join me in thanking Villanova for contributing millions to our town on an annual basis. Thank you. Finally, let's do something positive here, join me in putting pressure on get these bars closed. They are nuisance and root of the problems here. We agree on the above two points.