Abington commissioners approve purchase agreement and resolution to acquire five hospital parcels amid public protest

The Abington Township Board of Commissioners voted on May 28 to approve a purchase agreement with Abington Memorial Hospital and a companion resolution authorizing the exercise of eminent domain to acquire five adjacent parcels on and near Old York Road and Horace Avenue.

The vote followed a presentation from the township solicitor that described the transaction as a ‘‘friendly condemnation’’ in which the hospital is cooperating with the sale. Solicitor Ms. Gallagher explained the process to commissioners and said the documents provide for title insurance and deed preparation. "This is all being done in a friendly condemnation matter, with the hospital signing the purchase agreement," Ms. Gallagher said.

Vice President Behe moved the purchase-agreement motion and the board carried it after a brief discussion of the parcels’ potential use. Commissioner supporters said acquiring the properties will allow the township to create a municipal campus and control development of a key corridor. "It's a chance to create a municipal campus in the heart of our township," one commissioner said.

Staff explained how the purchase would be funded. A township staff member said the board could initially use available ARPA funds and later reimburse the township if it issues a general-obligation bond. "The township would use funds that it has acquired through the ARPA program," the staff member said, adding that the dollars were previously reassigned to park programming and could be repurposed for acquisition.

The board also approved Resolution 26-021, authorizing eminent-domain procedures for the same parcels, and accepted a proposal from Title Land Transfer LLC to provide title insurance and prepare deeds.

Public commenters raised objections to the approvals and to the board’s process. Adele Covell argued commissioners had canceled promised public meetings and favored developers in closed-door sessions, and she urged the board to stop using tax dollars to demolish hospital-owned buildings. "Commissioners made the decision to favor both developers at closed door meetings away from public view," Ms. Covell said. Joe Rooney called the timing and notice of the $3,000,000 acquisition 'taxation without representation' and criticized the board for not providing appraisals or a public plan before a final vote.

Board members responding during discussion emphasized that any future development of the acquired parcels would be presented publicly through planning and committee processes. Solicitor Ms. Gallagher reiterated that the process being used is coordinated with the seller and not an adversarial condemnation.

Votes at a glance

- Purchase agreement for five parcels (1177 Old York Rd.; 1169 Old York Rd.; 1159 Old York Rd.; 1165 Old York Rd.; 1874 Horace Ave.): motion moved by Vice President Behe; second recorded; motion carried (board vote recorded as 'aye'). - Resolution 26-021 (authorizing eminent domain): motion moved by Vice President Behe; motion carried. - Title Land Transfer LLC proposal (title insurance and deed services): motion carried. - Contract award: JDM Materials, Inc., was approved for ready-mix concrete ($87,200) and retaining-wall block ($28,300) earlier on the agenda.

What happens next

Officials said plans for developing the parcels will be unfolded in future public forums, including planning commission and other committee reviews. The township will complete title and closing steps as necessary; questions raised by residents about appraisals, exact financing and demolition costs were not resolved at the meeting and were described by commenters as outstanding.

The board adjourned after additional public comment.