As the meetings continue in both Manheim Township and East Hempfield Township to evaluate the feasibility of building a new mega-shopping center along Harrisburg Pike across from Long's Park, opponents gained significant energy from the revelation that the farm slated for demolition held a historic place in Lancaster County history. Also, the traffic plans for the development were called into question by engineers retained to review the work done by the developer.
Turns out, the farm known as the Deisley property was also known as the Swarr Farm, and in the winter of 1763 it was a site of some of the drama known as the "Paxton Massacre" when a band of white settlers tracked down and killed a number of american indians in the Lancaster area. Several native survivors sought shelter at the home of Peter Swarr. Afterwards they were transferred to downtown Lancaster, where they were subsequently found by the Paxton gang...at a recent Manheim Township meeting, the developer's historic representative confessed he didn't know about this event nor other potential historic issues surrounding the farm or it's buildings.
In the most recent township hearing, the analyst from GAI Consultants poked holes in the proposed traffic plan, pointing to irregularities in it's conception and other conflicts.
Local residents have created a group, Lancaster For Smart Growth, to organize the movement to deny the developer this precious land resource. Also, several neighborhood websites like this one have sprouted up to bring attention to the impact the mega-center would have on their local roads nearby. In addition, there is a movement to bring the Swarr Farm under the control of Long's Park - an idea I think is a great solution.
Given all the citizen unrest and growing body of evidence that this shopping center would be bad for the community, I'm sure hoping that township supervisors do the right thing. I only wish I was able to vote on it myself...
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