March 24, 2015

Delco politician seeking funds to save Beaver Valley from development proposal

State Rep. Steve Barrar is seeking state and federal grants in an attempt to preserve a 318-acre parcel slated for a development project.

By John Kopp
PhillyVoice Staff

Thom Carroll/for PhillyVoice

With the exception of a small vineyard on the adjacent hillside, all of the land visible in this photograph - as well as hundreds of acres behind the camera, would be completely developed for the Vineyard Commons project.

A Delaware County politician is seeking state and federal grants to potentially preserve a 318-acre parcel slated for a development project that is in dispute.

State Rep. Steve Barrar, R-Delaware County, is hosting a public meeting Friday to discuss possibilities for preserving a portion of open space bordering First State National Historic Park, according to the Delaware County Daily Times.

A pair of developers are seeking to construct 163 homes on 230 acres of the land, which is being sold by Woodlawn Trustees. The Concord Township Board of Supervisors approved the preliminary plans at a meeting last week.

Yet, the township also has pledged $500,000 in an effort to preserve the space, the Daily Times reported. Delaware County has agreed to commit another $250,000. A preservation group has received pledges totaling $4 million.

Several community groups have fought the project, known as Vineyard Commons, for nearly three years, wishing to see the land preserved for future generations. For decades, Woodlawn opened the space to the public.

The property is part of Beaver Valley, a scenic area straddling the Delaware and Pennsylvania borders. Thousands of acres in the valley were owned by Woodlawn, including 1,100 preserved by the national park. The region has served as a hotspot for hikers, bikers and horseback riders.