Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
UPDATE: Neshaminy Board Votes To Proceed With Sale Of Heckman School
The Neshaminy School Board will vote Tuesday evening on whether or not to sell the closed Oliver Heckman Elementary School that sits in Middletown Township and Langhorne Borough.
If approved, the agenda item will grant school district officials the authority to initiate the necessary steps for selling the more than 8-acre property to the Lower Makefield Township-based Erin Development Company for $3.2 million.
Advertisements
The future plans for the site were unclear as of Monday, and no plans have been presented publicly before Middletown Township officials. The majority of the site sits in Middletown Township.
The nearly 55,000-square-foot school located at 201 Cherry Street was constructed in 1966. It was closed as it aged, needed updates, and has suffered damage in the time since.
“Oliver Heckman Elementary School would require significant investment in renovation to bring it up to modern standards of efficiency, comfort and safety should it remain open,” a district school closing hearing packet said.
Advertisements
Over the past several days, there have been rumors and speculation on Facebook that homes will be developed at the site. However, that information was unconfirmed as of Monday.
A representative for Erin Development Company told LevittownNow.com that they were unable to comment on the plans at the moment. The company appears to be affiliated with Oakmont Development Group, which appeared to be involved with construction of an upscale home development in Hunterdon County, New Jersey in 2016.
Per Pennsylvania law, the district and developer will need to get a Bucks County Court of Common Pleas judge to approve the sale.
Advertisements
Neshaminy has been trying to lease or sell the building and property for several years. There have been discussions, but no plans have moved forward.
In January, the district made public a “request for expression of interest by purchasers/developers” for the site.
The document said the district seeks to “create and maintain a physical, economic, and social environment so both Langhorne Borough and Middletown Township remain a superior community in which to live, work, and enjoy a diversified quality of life.”
Advertisements
The district wrote options for the site that would interest them would be a park, recreation facility, nursing home, age-restricted homes, single-family homes, adult or disability day care, offices, childcare center, or a trade or commercial school.
Langhorne Borough Council heard a presentation in late January from Frank Kuepper, president of the Autism Cares Foundation, about a proposal they had to acquire the site from Neshaminy for $250,000. The organization planned to offer services, including afterschool care and disability daycare, at the site.
At the time, Langhorne Borough Councilperson Kathy Horwatt said it was her understanding Woods Services had also previously expressed interest in the site.
Advertisements
Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies
