West PikelandFriday, November 6
West Pikeland supervisors move ahead with selling the building that houses SALT Performing Arts
The West Chester Morning News team
West Pikeland supervisors voted 3-2 on Nov. 2 to advertise the township building at 1645 Art School Road in Chester Springs for bids. They didn't require a buyer to keep SALT Performing Arts' license. That reversed a halt the board approved unanimously Oct. 26 while it checked its legal options.
The township wants the money for 1001 Kimberton Road, where it would move its offices and police department. A motion to cancel that purchase also failed 3-2. The township expects to close Nov. 13. SALT spent about $400,000 on improvements for a 10-year fixed-rent license. Bid terms let a buyer honor it but don't require it.
The sale has changed course three times in two weeks
- Oct. 19Supervisors vote 3-2 to put the Art School Road building up for bid.
- Oct. 26Supervisors vote unanimously to halt the sale while they examine legal options.
- Nov. 2Supervisors vote 3-2 to advertise the property for bids.
- Nov. 4The Art School Road property is scheduled to be advertised for bids.
- Nov. 13The township expects to close on the Kimberton Road property.
Sources: MyChesCo, vista.today, inquirer.com
- Opposed the sale: supervisors Steven Costa and Harold M. Hallman III
- SALT's record: 90 mainstage productions over 12 years
- Petitions: hundreds of signatures against the purchase
- Ending SALT's license: 30 days' notice, Township Manager Joan Blatcher said
“If you go through with this, we're getting that money back.”
SALT and the township each have about $400,000 on the line
- 3-2
- vote to advertise the building for bids
- $400,000
- SALT put into the building for a 10-year license
- $400,000
- nearly, the township's nonrefundable costs on the new property
- $2 million
- at least, what the township aims to raise for police
Sources: MyChesCo, vista.today
Sources: MyChesCo, vista.today, inquirer.com