IN THE NEWS

Council approves settlement with McCool properties
Borough officials allow demolition of all three buildings on East Market
Street site for condominiums and mixed-use project

By ANNE PICKERING

Staff Writer DailyLocal.com

WEST CHESTER - In a 5-to-2 decision Wednesday, borough Council approved a settlement agreement with McCool Properties Group to allow the demolition of all three buildings on an East Market Street site to build a condominium and mixed-use project.

Councilwoman Carolyn Comitta and Councilman Charles Christy voted againstthe agreement primarily because it included demolishing the State Farm building.

Both said they were supportive of the project but did not like that the State Farm building would not be saved.

"I love the project but I love the old building and I wish there was something we could do," said Christy.

Comitta said, "I'm not convinced it is not possible to reuse the State Farm building and that is something we should do. We have lost a lot of historic buildings."

Councilman Scott Smith spoke about how much the condominium project would do for the neighborhood and said "most of us have a sensibility to the historical nature and we wouldn't do something on a whim."

According to the settlement agreement proposed by McCool, the developer will document the historic resources prior to demolition and make a
$15,000 payment to the borough for future preservatioin efforts.

McCool received conditional-use approval for the 64-unit condominium mixed-use project on East Market Street in September on the condition that the developer try to incorporate the facades and at least 10 feet of side walls of the State Farm and Yearsley buildings.

The developer hired an engineer experienced in historic buildings to inspect the buildings. He determined that the Yearsley building was
unsafe. The borough's code enforcement officer subsequently condemned the building. In reviewing the State Farm building, the engineer said the brick facade was not attached to the inner front wall, a defect in the initial construction of the building. The foundation is also in poor condition.

According to marketing information, McCool plans to build 64 one-, two-and three-bedroom condominiums with 160 parking spaces and private
balconies. The first floor will be 25,000 square feet of commercial/retail space. The complex will be 75-feet tall.

To contact staff writer Anne Pickering, send an e-mail to apickering@dailylocal.com.