Monday, January 16, 2012
The board meets Wednesday to consider the tweaked version of a redevelopment plan for 862 acres of Willow Grove air base.
The Horsham Land Reuse Authority is poised to weigh in on a fifth version of a redevelopment plan for Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove on Wednesday night. Dubbed “option E,” the newly tweaked plan is expected to address concerns related to the board’s suggestions to scale back the number of residential units from 1,999 to 1,416; build on larger lots; and provide more land for a middle school, among other issues. HLRA consultant, RKG Associates, was originally supposed to be in attendance Wednesday. However, HLRA Executive Director Mike McGee said the consultants will not be on hand, but will have supplied a revised plan – option E – in advance. “Hopefully the board will review it and confirm that the option E does address …
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
A look back at Hatboro and Horsham, 65 years ago this week.
From the Public Spirit, Week of Oct. 24-30, 1946 Thousands visit Naval Air Station - The Navy celebrated Navy Day with a big two-day show at the Willow Grove Naval Air Station and two other Naval installations. Thousands of spectators visited the three bases. At the Naval Air Station, visitors were thrilled on Sunday by a display of U.S. Naval airpower in action over the field. All the latest types of fighter planes were on display, closeup and in the air. Pilots of the Naval Reserve and the regular Navy and Marine Corps participated in the air show. Today, after a hard, weary and grueling war, the Navy has emerged stronger and more determined than ever that a large and well-trained Reserve organization can and must be maintained. The …
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Consultants for the Horsham Land Reuse Authority presented three conceptual alternatives for repurposing 892 acres of military property, HLRA official said, the 'airport's dead.'
Fifteen years, roughly $700 million. That’s how long it’s expected to take and how much it will cost to redevelop 892 acres of land at the closing Willow Grove air base in Horsham. Consultants for the Horsham Land Reuse Authority presented three potential redevelopment options Wednesday night with price tags in the $672 million to $741 million range, not including the estimated $40 million infrastructure costs for road creation, water and wastewater improvements. W. William Whiteside, HLRA chairman and Horsham Township councilman, said the construction expenses would not be the sole responsibility of Horsham. Whiteside said the township prides itself on its ability to “encourage” developers to help cover such costs. “These are basic …
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
The Horsham Land Reuse Authority's consultants will present three potential redevelopment plans during tonight's meeting.
With an airport clearly out of the picture for the closing Willow Grove air base, the Horsham Land Reuse Authority will begin deciding what should fill the 892-acre parcel. That process gets underway tonight at 7 p.m., when the HLRA's consultants, RKG Associates, present three potential redevelopment plans. The sketches, which could amount to an early blueprint of the base's future, will likely include the half dozen public benefit conveyances the board approved for various requests including roads, parks, acreage for Hatboro-Horsham School District to build a school and more. Other possible redevelopment inclusions could be a mixed-use town center, a preferred option among community members in attendance at HLRA meetings this summer; and…
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Horsham made its way onto the mag's top 100 list in 2007 too.
Money Magazine’s announcement is perhaps news to anyone who doesn’t live in Horsham. But, the more than 26,000 people who call the 17-square-mile town home already recognize Horsham as a great place to live. And now, the magazine has agreed with residents – again. In its September issue, the publication proclaimed Horsham as No. 31 of the best 100 places to live. This year’s nod followed Horsham’s ranking as No. 15 on the magazine’s 2007 list. Listed as benefits for the suburban community’s placement are its close proximity to Philadelphia, low crime rate and the Blue Ribbon-winning Hatboro-Horsham School District. The 25,000-square-foot Horsham Township Library, a community gathering place for readers and non-readers alike, is another …
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Patrols regularly drive through Willow Grove Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base.
Although the Willow Grove air base is a virtual ghost town as compared to its previous peak operations, a force will remain in place long after the military is completely gone. Horsham Police. The police took over regular patrols on the Navy side of the sprawling 1,100-acre base on July 1, according to Horsham Township Manager Bill Walker. With most of the military gone, Horsham Fire Company and ambulance are now responsible for emergency calls on the base as well, Walker said. Security remains in place at the main gate, which is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Walker said. To date, the only wrinkle has been a minor theft of a pig smoker, Horsham Police Capt. Joseph M. Repkoe said, noting that it was believed to have been taken sometime …
Thursday, July 7, 2011
A Sunday afternoon visit to the Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum in Horsham.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Council passes resolution contesting runway use at Willow Grove air base.
The Hatboro Borough Council this week joined several other local entities that have spoken out against the continued use of the runway at Willow Grove air base. The council voted 4-2 Monday to approve a resolution opposing plans that could allow for continued use of the air base's 8,000-foot runway. Councilman John Zygmont was not present. Hatboro Borough Council has now joined the governments of Horsham, Warminster and Montgomery townships, along with the Hatboro-Horsham School District, in opposing plans submitted by the Bucks County Airport Authority and Montgomery County. The issue drew no public comment at the meeting. Council president Marianne Reymer and Councilman Bill Tompkins voted against the resolution. At its previous meeting…
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Residents and airline industry representatives expressed both their worries and support of the potential airport in Horsham.
In an effort to address the numerous concerns that have arisen since the airport possibility took flight, the Montgomery County Commissioners held a special meeting Wednesday to hear public input on future runway use at Willow Grove air base. The eighth floor board room was packed with about 60 people - many of whom were angry Horsham residents vehemently opposing using the 892-acre base as an airport. As the meeting began, a Montgomery County comprehensive plan was displayed, stating that the 8,000-foot-long runway should stand. Immediately following the presentation, Roger Moog, a board member of the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania, made a case for using the airport for corporate use. "I believe the airfield should be retained as an …
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Remediation at a handful of the 12 sites within the parcel is ongoing, most has concluded.
Half a decade before the military’s Base Realignment and Closure Commission vowed in 2005 to close Willow Grove air base, the massive 1,100-acre site was beginning onsite remediation. Eleven years after the cleanup process got underway, roughly 30 acres still have active water and soil samplings, with ongoing remediation, according to Robert Lewandowski, Navy Base Realignment and Closure environmental coordinator. During the 45th quarterly meeting of NASJRB Willow Grove Restoration Advisory Board on Wednesday night, Lewandowski estimated that some aspects of the site remediation would continue for the next 10 years. “It doesn’t really restrict development out there … putting a building up,” Lewandowski said in addressing a question from …
Bill
9:12 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
The HLRA is so corrupt, the Federal government needs to come in and do a thorough audit on each and every one of the board members and the people that will get contracts to work on the redevelopment phase, mark my words you will be seeing most of them retiring soon and living high on the hog off all the taxpayers hard earned money. more ›