Lower Merion BOC OKs demolition for 2 Class 1 Cricket Avenue buildings

Moving through a full committee agenda March 4, Lower Merion commissioners took action on a variety of matters, from demolition of two historic structures in Ardmore, to a plan to deal with some trash collections in winter weather, to a grant opportunity that could give a big boost to renovations at the Gladwyne Library.

Cricket Avenue demolition

Following up on an issue tabled last month, the board took final action to grant permission for demolition of the late 19th-century buildings at 47 and 55 Cricket Ave in the Ardmore Business Historic District, a part of the former Gillanes Tavern complex and the former Cardone Printing building respectively.

Located across from the townships Cricket Avenue Parking Lot, where construction is expected to begin soon on Dranoff Properties One Ardmore Place development, the combined lots have been offered by owner Brad Paul for lease for temporary public parking.

Despite concerns about erosion of the historic district, the Lower Merion Historical Architectural Review Board voted in February to recommend approval of demolition of the buildings, said to be in such a condition that they are not suitable for a business use. The board recommended conditions to guard against the space reverting to private parking. Development of a new mixed-use building, not to occur until after the Cricket Lot project is complete, is in early talks.

Commissioners in their turn tabled the matter, wanting to divide the questions of the appropriateness of demolition and a proposed lease of the site. Board President Liz Rogan also wanted to see something in writing before authorizing negotiation of a lease.

An outline of those details came in the form of a binding letter of agreement this week. It includes provisions for lease of the lot for $1 per year. The township is also being asked to reimburse the property owners for real estate taxes of $5,000 to $6,000 per year.

The property owner would be responsible for demolition, grading and site preparation. The township would pave the space, stripe it and install parking meters for about 40 spaces. In an analysis, total costs to the township would run between $30,000 and $36,000 in the first year, about the same amount recovered through parking meter revenues in 12 months.

The major issues this week involved structuring a lease to ensure that the property would continue to be used as public parking until the anticipated new mixed-use building goes to construction. That was accomplished in two ways: by setting a minimum term of two years for the lease with the option for extension, and by requiring the public parking use to continue until the owners pull building permits and begin construction on the site.

Alleyway trash collection Continued...

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Lower Merion BOC OKs demolition for 2 Class 1 Cricket Avenue buildings