When THE CROSSINGS was proposed, I attended quite a few of the meetings in Manheim Twp.
When the package was passed with Mr. Tom Smithgall at the helm, Manheim Twp. passed the project with a TEXT amendment meaning that the Center AND the highways to and from, in and out all have to be funded and opened at the same time. There was no promise to expand the bridge over 30 on Harrisburg Pike etc.
Also, the real estate around this project has become worthless for residential.
This week at the Commissioners’ meeting, Mayor Lutz from Columbia pleaded with the Commissioners to help him reinstate funding for the relocation of the 441 bypass that had been promised by the powers that be to be completed by 2012. This bypass is the lifeline to Columbia and really needed as they are coming alive downtown, and investors are projecting to the future with anticipation that 441 will be relocated.
The Mayor was informed last week that the money is no longer available. WHERE DID IT GO? I STOOD UP AND TOLD THEM WHERE IT IS GOING — TO THE CROSSINGS. AND WE DO NOT NEED MORE SHOPPING.
Columbia needs the bypass to save the town and it will be an economic boom come true. It fulfills the comprehensive plan of the county etc. Is this state and federal government not bought and paid for?
PLEASE keep a watch on this my friends because High almost got away with TAKING FROM THE POOR AND GIVING TO THE RICH. These Commissioners are going to see this in their face from me every week until that money goes back to Columbia instead of disappearing.
As for The Crossings, supposedly Wegman’s [super market] and K Mart are going to be big players plus high end stores of some kind. This is just another High saying I am going to do this project no matter what.
PLEASE KEEP ALERT.
