Bondsville Mill Park committee asks board to back A3 occupancy for Building C and explore a roof over Building B

The East Brandywine Township Board of Supervisors heard a strategic-plan update for Bondsville Mill Park and a request on Thursday for supervisor support to pursue A3 occupancy for Building C and consider a roof over Building B to protect adjacent historic structures.

Jim, the presenter for the Bondsville Mill committee, told the board the strategic plan "is to evaluate the progress made to date and set a path forward towards completion of the park project as a whole." He read the plan’s vision: "create a free passive public park on the grounds of historic mill buildings with horticultural gardens, arboretum and hiking trails," and described existing features including two miles of marked trails, a one-acre cul garden, an amphitheater and a 39-space parking lot.

Why it matters: the committee said finishing Building C for public use would enable programs, meetings and storage for the historical commission, while a roof over Building B could stabilize masonry, reduce stormwater impacts on neighboring buildings and provide an ADA connection between Buildings A and C. The presenter framed the board’s role as approving a use model so staff can develop a detailed scope and cost estimate for the 2025 budget cycle.

Details presented: the committee outlined a four-stage approach—discovery (inventory, possible excavation and documentation), use selection, detailed cost estimates and then stabilization/construction. The presenter said much of the early discovery work has been volunteer-driven and that the determination of eligibility for the Bondsville historic district has opened grant opportunities, including Keystone grants, DCNR support and county-level funding.

Board response: supervisors repeatedly urged concrete cost estimates before voting to commit township funds. A committee member said, "I don't know that I'm ready to do that until we understand a budget and what we're looking at," and emphasized the need to define the building’s precise use before approving changes that will affect construction scope and long-term maintenance. Chair Kyle Scrier recommended consolidating supervisor feedback into a written document for the committee and cautioned against deliberating outside Sunshine Law procedures; he urged one-on-one meetings to gather comments before an adoption vote.

Codes and safety: board members raised fire-suppression and heating concerns tied to artifact storage and occupancy type. The presenter said the township codes officer, Matt Spelman, has been consulted and that required safety systems will depend on the approved public uses for each space.

Costs and grants: the committee cited past grant support (DCNR, Chester County, AXA XL and local foundations) and volunteer labor as factors that have reduced expense. It forecast that a self-contained restroom facility with running water would cost about $100,000 installed, and said it expects to seek DCNR and county grant support for that work. Supervisors said the committee should bring a costed scope to the township budget committee on Oct. 1 so the board can consider funding during its October budget calendar.

Next steps: Rocky (staff) was asked to develop a detailed scope and cost estimate contingent on whether the board supports public use for Building C; the Bondsville Mill committee will receive consolidated board feedback and is expected to present a revised plan and cost estimates to the budget committee on Oct. 1 and to the board before the Oct. 24 supervisor meeting.