Minutes of Finance and Community Development Committee Meeting of May 28, 2004

In attendance were Committee members Tom Huestis, chair, and Paul Beck. Also in attendance were Council Chair Lisa Aaron, and Borough Manager Jane Billings.

1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m.
2. There were no minutes available from any prior meetings to consider.
3. The Committee’s first agenda item was consideration of a proposal from the Swarthmore Centennial Committee/Rotary organization to build a free standing clock and a small plaza area in the Borough center adjacent to the train station platform at the junction of Myers, South Chester, Park Avenues and Field House Lane. The Committee had previously reviewed the project concept and a preliminary drawing at its February meeting. Edmond Jones representing the organizations reintroduced the project and re-stated to the Committee that the organizations are proposing to have the entire project paid for using private and donated funds. Mr. Jones then turned the presentation over to Elizabeth Knapp, a Swarthmore architect hired by the organizations to assist with the project. Ms. Knapp distributed three sets of drawings of the proposed project and reviewed the details with the Committee. Ms. Billings and Mr. Huestis reported conversations with representatives of the Fire Company and the Co-Op that they did not think that the construction of the project would have a negative effect on access to Myers Avenue. The Committee then raised three main questions regarding the revised drawing for the plaza: (i): the ongoing maintenance cost of the plaza, (ii) the absence of public gathering space and (iii) project interface with the Borough’s way-finding project. Mr. Beck suggested that the organizations consider raising a maintenance fund to assist the Borough to maintain the project. Mr. Jones stated the organizations were not set up to provide on-going maintenance, but would consider raising a maintenance fund. In terms of the lack of public gathering space, Ms. Knapp proposed expanding the size of the plaza moderately to the west to provide space around the clock for benches and more gathering space. Ms. Knapp proposed to deliver drawing to the attendees prior to the Borough’s work session meeting in June. In terms of the wayfinding project, Mr. Jones stated that he did not think that there would be space in the plaza to locate a wayfinding station, but that it might be appropriate to have the wayfinding station located on the train station platform adjacent to the plaza, although discussions with SEPTA would be required. Mr. Jones stated that it was the organization’s intent to raise the funds and then have the Borough manage the construction of the project. He then requested that that Borough Council consider a resolution in support the project and the use of public space for the project. It was the consensus of the Committee to recommend the project to Council provided that the revised drawings provide for the additional public space that was discussed.
4. The Committee then reviewed the progress of the revitalization capital improvement project. Ms. Billings stated the construction work on the revitalization project was now being scheduled to begin with demolition of the existing Co-Op building and the Lafayette Court improvements to commence in the fall of 2004. The remaining project, consisting of the streetscape improvements around the town center, would not start until Spring of 2005 in order to minimize disruption of the town center business activity during their peak season.
5. The regular meeting was adjourned at 9:15 a.m.
6. The Committee then met in executive session to discuss an item related to the on-going litigation of Claude de Botton and Springfield Square South v. the Zoning Hearing Board of the Borough of Swarthmore relating to 545 Riverview Road.
7. Minutes submitted by Tom Huestis