Pennypack Property Future On Table In Hatboro

HATBORO, PA —They took two surveys. But they didn't take.

Borough officials wanted feedback from residents on what to do with the Pennypack property the borough purchased a few years ago as a temporary Borough Hall until it could move back to Loller Academy once HVAC renovations were completed.

And with the borough soon to be moving full-time operations back to Loller, the best use for the future of the former Spring Avenue school has been under scrutiny for some time as residents have questioned its future.

Borough officials won't answer those questions Wednesday, but they are holding a forum to seek more feedback.

The Pennypack Park Design Public Open House takes place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the former school on 130 Spring Ave.

The Pennypack Facilities Steering Committee has been working with the borough and the Montgomery County Planning Commission to develop a new vision for Pennypack.

Borough officials hope to use the property as a park and a community center and have held numerous events there including the recent Trunk or Treat and have built a Traffic Garden at the site.

Borough officials are asking residents to attend to provide feedback and help shape the future of the space.

The borough purchased the building from the Hatboro-Horsham School District for $600,000 and has housed its operations there for more than a year.

Some residents have asked whether the building would be razed, but borough officials said that was out of the question with Council President George Bollendorf saying the cost to raze the building was "astronomical" at $1 million.

Borough officials want to preserve the property as a park and community center and have held such events there recently as Trunk or Treat and a Traffic Garden.

At its meeting earlier this month, Councilwoman Nicole McMenamin said that the building has been used for borough offices and meetings, a community garden, farmers market, Bingo events, Toys for Tots, HatPacks, emergency services training, and a traffic garden.

She explained that the steering committee has 26 members with a lot of different opinions. But she said only the council can approve what's best for Pennypack; the committee can only make recommendations.

"We're in a little over our heads," she said. "This is a huge property. We've asked the county to step in."

McMenamin said the surveys were just a sample size of residents.

"We're looking for more feedback," Borough Manager Diane Hegele said. "We're missing a lot of people who haven't come forth with information."