The Rt. 30/Harrisburg Pike interchange was rebuilt only nine years ago, at a cost of more than $45 million. It has no structural deficiencies, yet the Lancaster County Transportation Coordinating Committee wants it rebuilt and is asking the federal government for over $20 million to pay for it.
The rebuilding of the interchange was a condition imposed by the Manheim Twp. Commissioners for a large shopping center that the county’s largest developer – High Real Estate Group – wants to build near the interchange. The LCTCC approved the rebuilding of this structurally sound interchange when the recently-passed state budget includes no money for fixing structurally deficient bridges or even pothole-filled roads.
Currently a farm, the land is in a flood plain. The Manheim Township Commissioners gave High a waiver that allows building closer to Conestoga Creek than the township’s flood plain ordinance allows.
The county’s largest shopping center after Park City, it will be the size of 13 football fields, It will be built directly across from Long’s Park and diagonally across the highway from Park City Center. If current shoppers at Park City choose to spend their dollars instead at High’s new shopping center, that could affect the real estate taxes that are currently paid to Lancaster City. Manheim Township will receive all real estate taxes from the new shopping center.
The Manheim Township Commissioners made little effort to find a business or industry that would not bring thousands of cars daily unto Harrisburg Pike, many of them using the Rt. 30 interchange. Prior to announcing the shopping center, High got an exclusive purchase agreement from the owner of the farm. The land was zoned “industrial” but the Commissioners granted High a zoning modification that would permit a shopping center.
The reconstruction of the Rt.30/Harrisburg Pike interchange will primarily benefit High Real Estate, the developer of the proposed shopping center. All who oppose spending federal dollars to subsidize this privately-owned enterprise should send a letter addressed to: ATTN: Ray LaHood and the TIGER II team, U. S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington D.C. 20590.
Ths whole thing has stunk like a skunk from the very word go. Hopefully someday, the powers to be in whatever municipality that High Realty Group has earmarked for their next rape and pillage will have the intestinal fortitude to “JUST SAY NO”!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe LNP could do some ‘real’ investigative reporting on High Realty……….don’t hold your breath!!!
Thank you for the contact name and address. My letter goes out tomorrow.