Fox Chase Cancer
Center eyes Delaware

Is Fox Chase Cancer Center planning to open a second location in Delaware?
Last week, the center’s board of directors approved a motion authorizing officials to explore the possibility of creating a second campus in the Diamond State.
Right now, Fox Chase has plans to expand into Burholme Park, adjacent to the current facility at 333 Cottman Ave.
The deal has to be approved by Philadelphia Orphans’ Court. The matter is pending in front of Common Pleas Court Judge John Herron.
Save Burholme Park, a group of opponents of the park expansion, contends that the century-old will of Robert Waln Ryerss prohibits a private entity from building on the ground.
Even if opponents lose in Orphans’ Court, they have vowed to appeal to the state Commonwealth Court and Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
"We are hopeful that the court will decide in our favor, but there is considerable uncertainty," said Dr. Michael V. Seiden, president and CEO of the center. "This is just one of the reasons why we are moving forward with the consideration of the Delaware option."
State officials in Delaware have been wooing Fox Chase, but no specific site has been identified. Seiden said the hospital has looked at more than a dozen possibilities in the last year. He said the Delaware option has "considerable promise" to meet the needs of patients, physicians and scientists.
In the next few months, he said, Fox Chase will conduct feasibility studies on operations, finances and legal and regulatory requirements.
The hospital said it must grow to treat a larger patient base and conduct cancer care research. It is building a pavilion on its existing campus.
In February, the Fairmount Park Commission by a vote of 8-4 approved a lease agreement that allowed the expansion into the park. City Council and Mayor Michael Nutter later made the deal official.
Fox Chase wants to build on 19.4 acres of the 60-acre park. It has promised to preserve the park’s historic mansion, ball fields and sledding hills. The golf driving range will have to close, if construction ever takes place.
The 20-year project will cost about $1 billion and create 1,500 jobs. ••