(Trouble reading this email? View this newsletter online at http://www.saveardmorecoalition.org/node/2120)

As you may or may not know, this morning we all learned that EBL&S, headed by Lower Merion resident Ed Lipkin, was withdrawing as the chosen developer for the Ardmore Redevelopment Plan prior to the completion of the contract between developer and township. Before this morning, all we knew was the township was negotiating with the developer, and as many of you know, we recently held a joint meeting with ArdWood Civic Association and met with the developer and some of his team.

This Morning's LMT Press Release:

EBL & S Withdraws from Negotiations for Ardmore Transit Center and Business District Revitalization

We are shocked by this news. Yet, the reality is as a community we must soldier on. We need to move forward, and instead of perceiving this as gloom and doom, we should as a community explore our options now and in the future. There are decisions to be made, and they must reflect the true will of the citizenry.

The Save Ardmore Coalition would like to impart the importance of tomorrow's public meeting, Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 at approximately 7:15 p.m. which is directly related to this news:

Economic Revitalization Committee
Date: 3/5/2008 7:15 PM
Location: Township Administration Bldg - 2nd floor Board Room
75 East Lancaster Ave
Ardmore, Pennsylvania 19003-2323
Chair:
Commissioner Elizabeth S. Rogan
Vice-Chairs:
Commissioners Brian A. Gordon & Lewis F. Gould, Jr.

AGENDA: ARDMORE TRANSIT CENTER AND BUSINESS DISTRICT REVITALIZATION PROPOSALS

Consider for recommendation to the Board a process for the selection of a developer for the Ardmore Transit Center and Business District Revitalization Project.

PUBLIC COMMENT

This means, to an extent, that yes we are back to where we were BEFORE the Township chose this developer, and that being said, do you have a developer you would prefer now that this developer has departed? OR would you prefer to see instead of a huge redevelopment plan, a more modest plan that builds a couple of things FIRST then reevaluates how much we need? A plan that is perhaps more mindful of the realities of the current economic climate?

Perhaps start with a train station (so we don't lose the Federal Funds that Congressman Gerlach got to benefit ALL of us)and maybe build that much needed, oft discussed garage on the Bernicker Lot with some mixed use there as an experiment to see what the market will truly bear? Do you all still like the idea of a community space/theater that EBL&S proposed? Do you want a traditional Main Street Village or Urban Cityscape? Would you prefer to NOT add housing to any redevelopment plan until we all see how many other residential development projects there will end up being in Ardmore and other locations close to Ardmore? Do you want some real affordable housing?

What do you want?

If you didn't have a voice last time, fate has given you another opportunity, so make the most of it.

Here is the link to the Ardmore Project:

Ardmore Transit Center and Business District Revitalization Project (note: the link is slow, so if it does not come up please go to www.lowermerion.org and find it on the front page of the website or under "Topical Issues" found under "About Lower Merion")

We need to come together and stay together as a community and a township to make sure whatever it is we envision Ardmore as is heard, and even more importantly? Listened to and acted upon.

Take the time to attend this week's crucial meeting- and pay close attention to the Township Website in case the times change. We would also like to share with you the memo we received this afternoon from Township Manager, Mr. Douglas Cleland:

TOWNSHIP OF LOWER MERION
Office of the Township Manager
MEMORANDUM
TO: President and Members of the Board of Commissioners
FROM: Douglas S. Cleland, Township Manager
SUBJECT: Ardmore Transit Center and Business District Revitalization Project

DATE: March 4, 2008

Citing the recent downturn in the credit markets, developer EBL&S of Philadelphia informed the Township that they must reluctantly withdraw from development negotiations for the Ardmore Transit Project.

Township staff has contacted the remaining developers who submitted comprehensive proposals for the train station and related Ardmore projects: BET Investments, Dranoff Properties, and Strategic Realty Investments. There is continuing enthusiastic interest in this project from all three of these developers who participated in the initial selection process.

Staff proposes that, on Wednesday March 19th, the Economic Revitalization Committee (ERC) hear brief presentations from those firms which continue to seek to be the developer for this project as well as public comment. If the ERC and Board of Commissioners agree with this process, the ERC will also hear additional public comment following the developer presentations on March 19th, with the further possibility of a recommendation to the Board that evening.

Here at the Save Ardmore Coalition we remain dedicated to a better Ardmore. We remain dedicated to being a community voice, a voice the community can trust. But we can't be the only voice. Now more than ever, please make the time to attend public meetings and voice an opinion. Never be afraid or reluctant to speak to those elected to public office. Their jobs are to represent all of us fairly, and they can't truly do that if citizens do not particpate in the public process.

We wish Mr. Lipkin well in all of his future endeavors.

Comments? Questions? Concerns?