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Philadelphia representative urges removal of Woodhaven Center from DGS surplus list over zoning, traffic and school impacts
Summary
Representative White asked that the Woodhaven Center parcel be removed from the surplus disposition plan to allow more community engagement, citing the parcels industrial surroundings, heavy commercial traffic and existing school overcrowding; DGS said zoning is local and noted the legislative process can amend the plan.
Representative White urged the joint committee to remove the Woodhaven Center parcel from the 2026 surplus disposition plan, arguing the parcel in her district sits in a heavy industrial corridor and that residential redevelopment there would increase traffic and worsen already-overcrowded public schools.
"If it was to be sold as indicated in this plan, for potential residential development, that would be a major problem for our area," Representative White said, pointing to truck-heavy corridors and limited road capacity near Southampton Road and warning of public-safety and school-capacity consequences.
Deputy Secretary Califano responded that DGS is working with county officials and an Urban Land Institute technical assistance panel is expected to inform redevelopment options for similar sites; he reiterated that zoning and decisions about land use fall to local governments and that the General Assembly can approve, disapprove or amend the plan under the statutory process. Califano also noted that carrying costs for Woodhaven are roughly $2,000,000 annually and that the department tries to balance timely disposition with adequate local engagement.
Why it matters: Local representatives said the current statutory timeline (Act 48) did not allow enough time for community engagement on Woodhaven and requested removal to allow further stakeholder review; DGS cited both fiscal carrying costs and statutory appraisal rules that constrain how the department can set minimum bids.
Next steps: Representatives and DGS said they will continue to coordinate with local officials and interested stakeholders; the committee did not vote to remove the parcel at this hearing.
