This is what is called an opinion. So don't get in a lather that this opinion might not be your opinion. You are of course, entitled to post a contra opinion of you object to this opinion.....or a comment...actually comments welcomed and encouraged....this needs discussing, not more sweeping under the rug or neutralizing, right? No one is against progress, what people are against is how experts brought in from the outside all perceive our futures by their own definitions. We can develop without multistory behemoths in every town...our towns weren't designed that way....nor were they designed to be constantly redesigned just to keep developers employed, right? Hows about some growth that is educated and thoughtful because smart seems so dumb? Anyway....

It looks like the TRID train is coming down the track to Bryn Mawr and this one may be an express. TRID, transit revitalization investment district, is a legislative tool that give the railroad the power to “revitalize” by using eminent domain to acquire and develop real estate around train stations. This may sound familiar to those of the community who saw TRID being proposed as an alternative to eminent domain in Ardmore during the last few years.

Though a TRID district was never given in Ardmore it is now on the table in Bryn Mawr and residents are scared—and rightly so. Though the current Lower Merion Commissioners have promised not to use eminent domain in the township this is a de facto use of the terror weapon. If you read the legislation, and it is quite clear, when the township opts for a TRID district they give the power to the railroad to take “underutilized property" and redevelop it within a mile radius of a train station.

Though the township would not use eminent domain the transit line, SEPTA, can.

It is hard to imagine that the most profitable line in the region needs development but, unfortunately, once the power is given the residents will have NO ability to prevent their property from being taken away because eminent domain for a public purpose, in this case transportation, is still viable even after new legislation has
curtailed the taking of a property for economic development.

So after fighting for 4 years to prevent this kind of development our community is once again faced with the probability that piracy on Lancaster avenue is once again looming. With the current election cycle under way in earnest now that Fall is looming there is only one thing standing in the way of this scourge. Residents are going to have to get educated on this issue and ask the candidates where they stand on this important issue. Given the inability of out railway administrators to run their lines on time should we really trust them to be the planners for one of our town’s futures?

Just some food for thought....if eminent domain won't be used, why not get the railroad to announce that legally and publicly?

Maybe people should attend this meeting mentioned on www.lowermerion.org?

Bryn Mawr Community Meeting
Sponsored by the Township of Lower Merion
Wednesday,
September 26th
7 p.m.
LOCATION:

Township Administration Building
Board Room, 2nd Floor—75 E. Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA

TOPIC:

Proposed Zoning Changes for the Bryn Mawr Village
Kathryn Madden of Sasaki Architects will make a presentation on this topic followed by a question and answer period.

Is the Bryn Mawr Business Association weighing in any time soon with an opinion? There was a bit of news a while back from them, but since then, NOTHING. What are they up to? Can they update people? Surely, their input is invaluable, right?

Business owners and residents need to go to that meeting September 26th. No excuses.