Cancer center’s lease
agreement approved

Supporters and opponents of the Fox Chase Cancer Center’s expansion into Burholme Park will head to Orphans’ Court, now that City Council has approved a lease agreement.
The ground will be leased in a deal involving the city, the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, the Fairmount Park Conservancy and the cancer center.
The Fairmount Park Commission voted 8-4 last month to OK the lease.
The vote last week in Council was 15-0, with Councilwoman Marian Tasco and Councilman Bill Green abstaining because of conflicts of interest.
The bill was sponsored by Councilman Brian O’Neill, and Mayor Michael Nutter is expected to sign it.
"We’re gratified by Council’s vote to support our plans to expand Fox Chase Cancer Center to become one of the nation’s top cancer research and treatment centers," said Dr. Robert C. Young, chancellor and former president at Fox Chase.
"We’re also grateful to Mayor Nutter and Councilman O’Neill for the leadership they’ve both demonstrated in advancing this important project. With all of our partners in the community we serve, we’re looking forward now to making good continued progress in the future."
Orphans’ Court will resolve a dispute over whether a century-old will prevents a private entity from building on the ground.
The Fox Chase Cancer Center, at 333 Cottman Ave., wants to build on 19.4 acres of the 60-acre park. The 20-year project will cost up to $1 billion.
The cancer center will pay a development fee and rent, will fund improvements to the park and will pay for unspecified initiatives in the community.
The center wants to expand in the park to maintain one campus, with employees in all aspects of cancer care working together.
"To be effective, the cancer center must be in one location," said City Councilman Jack Kelly (R-at large).
But Tim Kearney, a Mayfair resident and Democratic candidate in the 172nd Legislative District, believes the cancer center should move to another location.
On Saturday, Kearney joined state Rep. Mark Cohen and members of Save Burholme Park and Friends of Ryerss to raise money for the legal fight.
Kearney said he was not surprised that the expansion opponents lost the political battle, but that they hope to win the legal battle.
"We knew all the district Council people would fall in line behind O’Neill," he said. ••