By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer

The Somerton Civic Association supports the latest basic plan for the redevelopment of the former Philadelphia State Hospital, but Harrisburg doesn’t seem ready to let go of the 153-acre site of the former psychiatric institution, commonly known as Byberry.
State Rep. George Kenney (R-170th dist.) reported to the SCA on Dec. 10 that he and departing Gov. Mark Schweiker have been unable to agree on terms for a transfer of the Byberry grounds to the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation.
Therefore, in the most recent legislative session, which ended on Thanksgiving, Kenney did not introduce a House bill required for the transfer. As a result, Byberry will continue to sit in its current overgrown, decaying state at least until the new legislature convenes after the holidays.
The key sticking point, Kenney said during the civic meeting, is funding for demolition of former hospital buildings on the property, which is located at Roosevelt Boulevard and Southampton Road. Specifically, Kenney wants the state to pay to tear down two buildings on a 22-acre section on the south side of Southampton Road.
Under a current proposal, that piece of the Byberry tract would be converted into community recreational space, complementing the neighboring Somerton Youth Organization and Lighthouse soccer fields.
Meanwhile, the rest of the site, roughly 130 acres on the north side of Southampton Road, would go to PIDC for redevelopment as commercial office space and a residential community. Also, a portion would be left as open green space, acting as a buffer between existing homes on Carter Road and new development.
Under the terms of an agreement of sale dated July 17, the state would sell the ground to PIDC for $1. But PIDC ultimately would be responsible for clearing the north side of the site of more than 20 decaying hospital buildings at an estimated cost of $15 million to $20 million.
PIDC officials have said they hope the state will contribute to the demolition cost, but no commitment of money is included in the existing agreement of sale. That agreement cannot take effect without legislative approval.
The document does have a series of built-in deadlines for PIDC to achieve certain progress in its redevelopment efforts.
“When it came to the transfer of the property to PIDC, we never reached an agreement,” Kenney said. “We could have talked until we were blue in the face. My priority is always, ‘Will the community be protected in whatever legislation is passed.’”
Kenney believes that under the existing agreement of sale, “(PIDC) gets what they want, and we’re still looking at twenty-two acres with about a million dollars worth of cleanup still needed.”
That stance doesn’t sit well with SCA president Mary Jane Hazell, who said that her organization voted in November, 95 to 6, to support the agreement of sale on the condition that PIDC address traffic concerns in the area. She reported to residents that she sent letters to both Kenney and state Sen. Mike Stack (D-5th dist.) urging each to introduce required legislation in their respective chambers.
“We know something has got to be done there,” Hazell said. “The (north side) buildings have to be torn down.”
Hazell pointed out that the buildings have been declared environmentally hazardous by federal inspectors. They contain airborne asbestos, among other threatening materials.
Kenney doesn’t think that the community shares in Hazell’s urgency.
“I’ve lived here for forty years, and nobody is banging on my door saying, ‘Develop, develop, develop,’” he said. “I think PIDC can continue to move forward on development plans (without his legislation). Their agreement is good for eighteen months.”
As for the traffic situation, which many residents fear would worsen with new development, Kenney contends that much can be done now. He believes the city could add a turning lane to Southampton Road at Roosevelt Boulevard regardless of progress on Byberry.
Besides traffic, some residents feared that PIDC might build too many homes on the residential portion of the proposed development. The rough plan calls for about 25 acres of green space, 55 acres of homes and a 50-acre office complex.
At the civic group’s November meeting, PIDC officials estimated that the new construction might include 300 to 400 homes.
Gus Scirrotto, who lives adjacent to the Byberry site on Carter Road, thinks that that’s too many. He would prefer single homes on half-acre lots. That would keep the number at about 100.
Hazell agreed that the number of homes is still a matter of debate.
“None of that was set in stone,” she said of the figures suggested by PIDC officials. “That was just thrown out as a number. They haven’t even been in there yet to say, ‘We can build here, and we can build there.’
“If the community says we don’t want any more than one-hundred houses, then that’s what will be done.”
Kenney further reported that the legislature had passed his bill to remove a portion of the Byberry tract from the state’s Keystone Opportunity Zone tax incentive program for businesses.
Companies that relocate into KOZs are eligible for state business tax breaks. But under program guidelines, lands designated as KOZs cannot be used for residential development.
Kenney said he anticipated that Schweiker would sign the KOZ-related bill before the start of the next legislative session.
In other Somerton Civic business:
• Hazell reported that Somerton residents who filed appeals on this year’s property tax increases would soon find out when their hearings will take place before the Board of Revision of Taxes.
The hearing dates will likely be in January or February, she said. The civic association is making arrangements for buses to transport residents en masse to the Center City hearings. ••
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or bkenny@phillynews.com