Don't ask us to pay for this. Its frivolous. Havertown has more important projects to spend money on.

This is so out of line. I do whish to applaud Mr. Gentile though for indicating the budget simply cannot fund this. While we are on the topic can someone please ease my mind and tell me that the township did not pay ONE RED CENT for any of the sidewalk block replacements on Eagle road in front of all the businesses. It just seems strange to me that so many businesses all of a sudden decided at one time to replace their sidewalk blocks. . . I don't want anyone other then the business owners to pay for improvements that end up on a lot they own. Heck why not have the township come improve the front of my lot for me! I live one a main road, west chester pike, and assure you it would help the town look nicer! I also have some swamp land to sell them. . .

Sidewalk and lighting improvements will draw more business to the Oakmont District. The area needs to be improved. It is always easier to do nothing and hope for the best. I vote for the improvements!

Agreed. It looks like a good part of it will be funded by donations as well.

Initiatives sourced and funded by the private sector should always be given fair consideration - and this one appears to have all the merits one would look for. While it would be nice to have this project - and ones like it in other parts of the township - be a private / public partnership, our bias must be toward restraint rather than indulgence in the current economic environment.

We should give full support if this can be 100% privately funded.

The real problem are all the outdated and out of scale signage along our business corridors. A new sign ordinance should be crafted - with design criteria. The business owners can contribute by updating signage/facade, similar to what the Oakmont Pub did. Otherwise, it is like putting Silk Sheets on a Discount Mattress.

I am 100% behind any improvement to the Township! Move Forward.

I'm disheartened by the views of people who are okay with living in a run-down looking town with empty storefronts so that they can save $10 or $20 on their tax bill. This town has been neglected for years and this is our COMMUNITY - let's show some concern, commitment and pride. Obviously in a tight economy we'll need to spend more carefully, but this project is a pittance of the Bond that was secured for long-term projects. We have left beautification up to individual businesses and look where that led us? Concrete, chipping paint and cheap signage.

Larry, the Oakmont Redeveloment money was burning a hole in your pocket when you got caught paying for a private flagpole.What happen to that money Larry? How about you and some of these other stiffs take a pay cut. Like (double dip) Burke. He has two pension's. Where is this fair. The republican party in Havertown are a bunch of stiffs. Do the havertown hustle doot toot toot toot toot toot toot toot toot toot toot toot toot , do the hustle.

I think that Haverford needs more of this type of joint investment between the township and business owners. All residents of the township will benefit from developing and encouraging businesses to remain, expand and relocate to Haverford.

Mark does this type of "joint investment" mirror the joint investment between the township and the Why,MM.CC,Aye. Is this the type of success your looking for. Or would a better example be, the deal that the township made with Jeffery Rotwitt in regards to the land deal, at the Haverford State Hospital? Or how about the Quadrangle? Which one of these "joint investments" is your favorite Mark?

Ornery sign is falling down, falling down, falling down. Eclectic is one thing, but upkeep is another.

This project is a sound investment and a joint project between local business owners and the township. We have seen business district beautification throughout surrounding counties and municipalities. Examples: West Chester, Media, Jenkintown ect... We have a wonderful township to live in with great local pride. If we do nothing to develop local business districts then we will be left behind. Investment in these beatification efforts are a proven economic boost. Surrounding residential properties values rise and sound business's begin to see the township looking forward. The potential for new business investment in storefronts in Haverford Township will begin to rebound. This is a model to take to all the various unique business districts that make up Haverford Township and emulate. I am in favor for sure!

For the record it should be noted that Mr. Goggins association with the Oakmont Pub certainly may bias his opinion, and the reader should take this into account.

I agree the Oakmont pub is an excellent establishment, I eat lunch there no less then 25 times per year. I have no more or less affection for Orner's despite a falling sign though. I'm not even sure I'd like all the other stores on Eagle Road as much as I do currently if they were all made to look uniform or be of similar design. Please talk to some of these down to earth local business owners, talk to the Orners, or the owners of stores from the deli to the church at the corner of Darby and Eagle, you will find that many do not agree with this plan. If the group can afford to do this without tax-payer monies, and the business are all for it, then great, go for it. I think it's only fair I point out I am in the 1st Ward and not in the same general area.

The only uniform things being proposed right now are streetlights and a narrow edging strip of red bricks. BTW, this is not proposed for Eagle Rd. where Orner's is. It is only for the Oakmont Village Block of Eagle, down Darby Rd.to the parking lot, and around the triangle of the Darby Roads surrounding the Township Building. If the other blocks of Eagle or Darby (and/or other places around the Township, like Brookline) like it and want it, too, that would be proposed in subsequent years.

Brendan your right. Oakmont is a great location for a business. West Chester and Media are very good example of towns that have been great success stories. Media has become a town bathed in law office money,because they have a dual zoning law. A twin house in Media one day,the next day a 410 thosand law office. Havertown is a different kettle of fish altogether. The board of commissioner's in Haverford township want to steal properties,not invest in them. The names have changed but the games the same. Oakmont is a great investment,but it has to be 100% PRIVATE. Oakmont thrived for many years,but it will never thrive with this crew, they think they can steal Real Estate through the Eminent Domain Law. They tried it before and it went belly up.

The Oakmont Parking Lot project was funded by the Commissioners. The township set aside EECBG funds for the installation of decorative street lighting for the Oakmont area with proceeds from an energy conservation rebate funded by PECO. This is a good example of people hard at work in our government with the good intention of business district beautification. I am an active member of the HPED serving as President since it's onset. We are made up of local residents, business owners and township officials that see the value in developing our township for the future. This effort is years in the making and is not an abuse of township funds in my opinion. It will have an immediate impact on the look and feel of this particular district. I make no apologizes for attempting to see the business district we invested in thrive and develop. I would be happy to pay for our portion of the sidewalks; however, I can't speak for all the businesses this will effect. We have paid for various things over the years to help beautify our district, namely holiday lights that align all the trees throughout the Oakmont Village. The outside benches that our in front of our property are a great example of public/private beatification that has transformed a corner into a more appealing public space. I am aware that my business will benefit directly from this project. I also believe this will benefit all the businesses throughout this district and all the residents that live close by.

I vote for improvement. This is a positive step in the right direction.
Plus, for a Streetscape project-11K is a bargain.
Thanks to all who are trying to better our great community!

I find it very interesting that there are 50,000 people living in Haverford Township and the only a few hundred or so people volunteer their time, money and professional services to make Haverford Township a better place. I am including our hard working Commissioners and the excellent Township government employees who are committed to maintaining and improving our town. There are about 50 or so volunteers who maintain the Haverford Township Civic Council, The Historical Society, Tree Tenders, Friends of Haverford Trails, Freedom Playground, Haverford Music Festival, Friends of the Library, Friends of the Grange, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, over 20 local Civic Associations and more.

There is a whole different group of volunteers maybe a 100 more or so who volunteer with the fire departments and ambulance services who also contribute toward the safety of our town. Not to mention the other 100 or so volunteers who maintain Baseball, Football, Softball and Soccer leagues and other sports teams, who do an excellent job. 50,000 people and only a few hundred keeping it all together so the rest can have sports, trees, parks, trails, historic buildings, Haverford Township Day, Haverford Music Festival, volunteer fire departments and etc., when they feel the need to participate. 50,000 people and only a few hundred interested enough to ask Septa for station improvements, volunteer on the school board, volunteer at the Adult Center and the Adult School. If Merion wants to save tax dollars, come out and plant a tree, do some yard work at the Grange or Nitre Hall, clear a trail at Haverford Reserve, help us install a roof this spring at the Federal School house , help build a playground at Elwell Field in June, help the Darby Creek Valley Association clean Cobbs and Darby Creek, help the Tree Tenders plant 100 trees a few times a year, support the Heritage Festival which helps pay for Historic building repairs to Nitre Hall and Lawrence Cabin. 50,000 plus residents! A few hundres volunteers, working hard, saving the Township money with volunteer services, and dedicated to improving our town while many do nothing!

What about window cleaning at Mcgarrity house? The Historical society collects tax money from the taxpayers of Haverford township and has never saved one Historical property.Chris be a happy giver,not a sourpuss. Your heart is not in it Chris, if it was, you wouldn,t be such a cry baby. Be a happy giver, not a crybaby

Chris Whiting is the most cheerful, generous, hard working, community-minded volunteer I have ever met. Shame on you for your mean spirited comments.

She's so cheerful,she had to complain 3 minutes apart from each other.

Chris, you are exactly right!

It is easy to go on web sites and criticize every little thing that happens in the Twp., yet contribute nothing!

Without neighborhood civic associations, the scouts, and numerous other organizations, run by residents, very little would be accomplished.

Instead of asking us for more money, how about taking away money from somewhere else that's unnecessary and give it to this project? Say the school project that seems to be taking way too long. That's just an example. or the compost program we no longer have, take that money, but don't come looking to me for more. I cant afford to upgrade my electrical service that's in desperate need of modernization let alone an increase to my underwater home.

Mary why don't you pack it in. Any goverment money you recieve is wasteful spending. Those three buildings you refer to as historical,can be maintained by the township. Where was the Historical society when the Brookethrope Estate was bulldozed under to make why for the Marriot,s Guadrangle. The Brookethrope Estate was the Historical Jewel in Haverford. It was built in 1685 by a Quaker.If you put the only thing, that is left in Havertown, the grange Estate, next to the Brookethrope Estate,the grange estate would look like a one story sandbox. The beautiful log home at coppertown and Darby Rd was bulldozed under also. Mary the Historical society is a joke.

Good Question Jim, WHERE WERE YOU!!!, when action needed to be taken to save Brookthorope.

So easy to be a critic and not participate!

If you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem!

I was there Chris. The Historical Society needs to be History!

Did I hear or read that township employees will do some of the work(pavers) like Darby road and WestChester Pike to offset cost?

While there still getting paid by the township? Or are they double dipping. Do the hustle doot doot doot dootdootddootdootdoot toot toot toot toot toottoottoot, do the havertown hustle buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz buzzbuzzbuzzbuzz, do the hustle, everbody,come on Larry you know the dance

First, let me remind you that in the last 3 years, the township budget has increased 14.3%, out pacing the cost of living by a lot. From 2009 to the 2012 budget, recreation has increased 69.3% and park mtce by 48.5%. Despite saying they are saving money, the commissioners have a lot of free money for recreation, police and paramedics. That being said, $11,000 is a drop in the budget. The part that the presenters left out is will there be an increase in business? if so, what are their estimates? Will the increase in business cause the merchants to pay a higher business tax ? If so, will it increase by $11,000 over 5 years ? If it will, money well spent, if not, can the idea. Just my thoughts.

Marion Manor,I am sure Mary Courtney is a charming and bright woman,with all good intentions. The historical society is a seperate issue altogether. This society has no teeth and is connected to the board of commissioners, after the ordinance, that was past back in 2010. That board is playing Mary and her organization for more then it worth. That board would much rather bulldoze a Hostrical Property than save it. When is comes to large properties that board always tries to do the Haverford Hustle, Do the Havertown Hustle. Doot toot toot toot toot toot tooot tooot toot toot toot toot tooot toot toot toot toot toot toot toot. do the Havertown Hustle come on do the hustle!

Hey gang, make sure you come back here on Monday. There will be a follow up story on this.

Public Works doing pavers is my question?

No,pavers need to be installed by skilled labor.