Suburban Philadelphia Real Estate News

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to attend the first meeting being held by the City of Chester PA as they begin the process of updating their comprehensive plan.

The City is holding a series of five public meetings to obtain input and ideas from the public on both the progress in the city to date and which items should be highlighted as priorities in the future.  The last Comprehensive Plan, Vision 2000, was completed in 1994.  The new plan, titled Vision 2020, is expected to be completed toward the end of 2009.  State law requires periodic updates to the plan.

The first meeting was held on an informal basis at the Eastside Ministries on 9th St allowing participants ample opportunity to learn about various facets of the plan.  There were multiple charts and graphic displays which provided a great overview of the situation today and the tentative plans for the future.   Many of the planners were in attendance providing an in-depth description of the projects currently under way.

The City of Chester has made tremendous progress recently with the addition of Harrahs, the waterfront development, the new soccer facilities now under construction, increased freeway access, and multiple housing projects.  They now want to build on this momentum as they plan for the future and highlight those areas that the community feels are the most important items to be included in the future.  Input from the residents will be used to prioritize the projects as they move forward.

Chester has planned four additional public open meetings to gather input:

-Tuesday June 9, 2009 at 6:30
at the Chester Senior Center, 721 Hayes St
- Monday June 15 2009 at 6:30
at the New Jerusalem Church of Chester, 2100 W 3rd St
- Wednesday June 24 2009 at 6:30
at the White Rock Christian Church at 308 W 3rd St
- Tuesday June 30 2009 at 6:30
at the North Chester Baptist Church at 2331 Providence Ave

Please be sure to visit any of these meetings to learn where we stand today and provide input for the future.

As always, if you have any questions or need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Congratulations WAWA on the big 45!

For those of you in the area, nothing else needs to be said.

For others, the Philadelphia Inquirer probably gives the best anniversary details.

To another 45!

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As always if you have any questions, need any additional information, or are considering a move to the area, please feel free to contact me anytime.

This morning, Delaware and  the Old Swedes Foundation held Landing Day Services at the site of Fort Christina Park in Wilmington DE.

Unknown by many, Delaware was founded by the Swedes and Finns. In 1638, the first Swedish settlement was established at Fort Christina located just east of present day Wilmington just off 7th Street along the Christina River. They quickly formed the first permanent settlement in the future state.  The Swedes controlled the immediate area until 1655 when the Dutch took control and the future state of Delaware ultimately fell under British control in 1664.

In 1698 the Swedes and Finns built a new church on the site of their original burial ground.  The church was established as a Swedish Lutheran Church but in 1791 it became part of the Protestant Episcopal Church.  The Old Swedes Church is the oldest church still in use as originally built. 

Today was the 371st anniversary of the Swedes and Finns original landing on March 29, 1638.  In 1938, Fort Christina State Park was built before the 300th anniversary of the event and it was dedicated in 1938 with the attendance of President Franklin Roosevelt and Swedish royalty.  The Landing Day Services have been held every year since (except for two years) on March 29 and in 1988 on the 350th Anniversary the Swedish King and Queen once again attended the ceremonies.

This morning's event was held by the congregation and Old Swedes Foundation with both Delaware Governor Jack Markell and Wilmington Mayor James Baker providing remarks.  There were also proclamations delivered from the state, county, and city.  Despite the weather, it was well attended, well done, and continued the long standing tradition honoring our founding