SEN. WILLIAMS ANNOUNCES PURCHASE OF HAVERFORD STATE HOSPITAL BY HAVERFORD TOWNSHIP

HARRISBURG, August 1, 2002 - - State Senator Connie Williams today announced that Haverford Township has come to an agreement in principle to purchase Haverford State Hospital from the state for $3.5 million with settlement coming before the end of the year.

The Senator said that negotiations between the state and the Township have been going on for years and she is pleased that an agreement has finally been reached.

"My role in this process has been to support the wishes of the people of Haverford Township and to facilitate the process at the appropriate time," Williams (D-Delaware/Montgomery) said.

The Township’s original offer of $1 million was rejected by the state on June 28, at which time the state set a deadline of July 27 for the Township to meet its price of $4 million.
Williams said she was delighted that she was able to delay the bidding and convince the state to wait to issue a formal request for proposal until after today’s meeting.

Approximately 135 acres of the Haverford State Hospital grounds have been designated as open space. The Township has stated that it wants to reserve at least 125 acres for passive recreation such as hiking and biking trails.

The Senator said that her next step will be to make sure that a land conveyance bill is passed.

"I hope that Rep. Vitali and I will be able to get the legislation passed when we come back into session in September," Williams said.