WILLIAMS’ HAVERFORD BILL PASSES

HARRISBURG, October 4, 2002 -- Pennsylvania’s state Senate has unanimously passed a bill, sponsored by Sen. Connie H. Williams, D-Montgomery/Delaware, that will provide more than 100 acres of new open space in Haverford Township.

Under the bill, the state will sell the township the more than 200-acre site of the former Haverford State Hospital for $3.5 million. The township has agreed to reserve at least 120 acres for passive recreation and 15 more for active recreation.

"It’s gratifying to see progress on this project," Williams said. "This land will provide wonderful opportunities to local residents for generation to come."

Several developers have expressed interest in the remaining property.

Since the former mental hospital closed in 1998, the state has been paying about $300,000 for security and upkeep.

The bill now goes to the state House of Representatives, where state Rep. Greg Vitali, D-Havertown, has been working with Williams to move the project along.