Politics & Government

Marple Commissioners Table Decision to Demolish Historic Building at Community College

Marple Board of Commissioners table their decision on denying or allowing the request from Delaware County Community College to demolish the Pond House.

BROOMALL–At a meeting on Monday, Oct. 10, a decision to deny or approve 's request to demolish a historic building on the college campus was put on hold.

The Pond House on the college's property has been put forth in a demolition request from the community college for the building's main house and barn. Upon approval of the request, the college acknowledges that they will continue to maintain the springhouse in good condition in accordance with the township's building, property maintenance and historic resource ordinances and codes.

In addition, if the request is approved, the college will have to install historic markers, approved by the Marple Historical Commission, for each of the historic properties demolished on the campus as well as for the for the springhouse.

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Second Ward Commissioner Jan Ceton, also a member of the township's Historical Board, said the Historical Board made a recommendation not to tear down the building.

According to the letter from the college, the building was noted as a "public nuisance," which turned into one now after neglect, said the commissioners at last week's meeting.

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Fifth Ward Commissioner John Longacre also agreed with Ceton in that he was more partial to denying the college's request to demolish the building.

"We've spent hours publicly saying that, 'We'll never let this happen again,' and then we let them tear it down," said Longacre. "And this isn't the first building...this is the second or third building this has happened to."

Ceton said the springhouse there is a "unique" piece of property but the college has not committed to saving it.

"It's demolition by neglect or it just sits there and rots away," added 7th Ward Commissioner Dan Leefson.

According to Anthony Hamaday, township manager, Tony Deluca, facilities manager at the school, has told him that the current condition of the springhouse is covered in vines and wood, and have not taken a hard look at the springhouse.

Ceton added that "there are a lot of problems there," referring to the property proposed for demolition. "We had hoped someone was going to move in to it for use but it never went through."

"They let it get out of control so that no one would want to move in," explained Longacre.

Leefson made a motion to table the demolition request, which was seconded by 1st Ward Commissioner Trudy Riddell. The motion passed unanimously by the board. Commissioners President Michael Molinaro suggested that the representatives of the college come in to officially present their demolition request before the board at the budget workshop session scheduled for Nov. 9.


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