Plans for new park move forward with Peters Township Council approval
Peters Township Council took several steps Oct. 22 toward developing a municipal park on the former Rolling Hills Country Club property.
On the financial side, council unanimously approved a settlement agreement with Pinehurst Land Partners LLC and others related to the property’s purchase, with a final payment of $1,597,719.
The settlement package, as listed in Court of Common Please of Washington County documents, is $14,270,439, which includes $266,439 in interest and $4,000 for attorney fees. The cost is divided between the municipality, which has acquired 93.771 acres with an eye toward creating an amenity-laden Rolling Hills Park, and Peters Township School District for 95.721 acres on which plans call for a new high school.
The municipality and school district reached the settlement with Pinehurst, which bought the Rolling Hills property in early 2016, and owners of mineral rights prior to a jury trial scheduled to begin Oct. 15. The trial would have addressed the appeal of a November ruling by a court-appointed Board of Viewers setting compensation for the property at $12.5 million.
The settlement includes a general release that allows the municipality to use the property for any permitted public purpose, so as to meet stipulations of the state’s Second Class Township Code.
To establish a financing mechanism for property acquisition and related improvements, council also approved a resolution expressing the township’s intent to issue municipal bonds and to use a portion of the proceeds to reimburse the township for capital expenses incurred prior to issuance.
During an Oct. 15 budget workshop, council members discussed a potential amount of $10 million for the bond issue.
According to township manager Paul Lauer, commitments already made to projects include construction of a street through the property and intersections at East McMurray and Center Church roads, with the municipality and school district splitting the $7 million cost. The township also plans to build a “loop” road, estimated at $2.75 million, to provide access future Rolling Hills Park amenities
Another expense is toward developing a trail system within the park, connecting with the township’s popular Arrowhead Trail.
Toward that eventuality, council on Oct. 22 authorized the signing of a contract with the state Department of Community and Economic Development for a $160,000 Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program grant. The cost estimate for the project, which under the terms of the grant has a three-year window for completion, is $500,000, with the township footing the remainder.
“I think this is an example of what we can hope to see inside of Rolling Hills Park, discrete projects that we can identify and get assistance from the state of Pennsylvania to be able to accomplish,” Lauer told council.
With regard to a bond issue, council also authorized Lauer to solicit proposals for an independent financial adviser.
“That person will advise council not only on the structure of the bond issue, but also the timing,” he said, explaining that the adviser also would assist with acquiring other professional services, including a bond counsel.