Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
A former credit union building that was purchased by a drug and alcohol counseling firm has been claimed by Bristol Township.
Last month, the township claimed eminent domain and filed a declaration of taking for the two-lot property at 2104 Bath Road, according to court filings and township attorney Adam Flager. In August, Bristol Township Council approved moving forward with the plan.
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Grace Land II LLC purchased the former financial institution building in late 2017 from Inspire Federal Credit Union for just under $1 million.
Flager said the township had the former credit union building and a second smaller property next to it appraised and offered approximately $1 million and $195,000 for each.
Grace Land II and an affiliated company that owns the second property can challenge the township’s ability to claim the lots and also get separate appraisals to request more money, Flager explained.
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As of Saturday, a request for comment to a representative of the property owners was not returned.
Bristol Township Council President Craig Bowen said the properties were attractive to the municipality due to the new park going in next door. He said they could be used for a new fire station or senior center to replace the current aging building.
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Last year, representatives for Grace Land II and DayBreak Treatment Solutions outlined their plan to use a portion of the 10,000-square-foot building to treat a small number of patients dealing with drug and alcohol addiction for either three or six hours a day. They told zoners the facility would “absolutely not” be a methadone or suboxone clinic.
Residents and the township opposed the plan. Some residents worried the facility could turn into a more intense detox facility or expand.
Grace Land II appealed the denial of their plan in county court and the matter ended up going in their favor. The township has appealed their decision to a higher court.
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