Mayor's Message 3/16/2022

Mayor’s Message 

March 16, 2022

Good Evening.

March 25th is Greek independence day. I will be attending an event at Saint Demetrius church on Sunday, March 20th in celebration of the holiday where I will present a proclamation. 

This morning’s groundbreaking ceremony of the new Drexeline Town Center was a great event . Today marked the official start of this mixed-use redevelopment. The renovation of Drexeline Town Center will revitalize this cornerstone of our community. This huge investment by MCB will bring more jobs, more shopping opportunities, more new housing, and more tax revenue to our community. 

I appreciate the dialog and collaboration between my administration and MCB over the past two+ years and am committed to working together to see this project through to completion.  We will continue to be in close communication through each phase of this transformative redevelopment.  We’re grateful to MCB for their massive investment in our community.

The demolition of the former Welcome Center began yesterday.  That is the location of the future Upper Darby Community Center at 7000 Walnut Street. It’s hard to believe that a community the size of Upper Darby with over 85,000 residents does not already have a community center but it’s true.  This is a state-of-the-building which will include classrooms, meeting spaces, a brand new multi-purpose gym, an accessible green roof and allow for programming for residents of all ages. Which is why I am happy that Council unanimously approved the land development for the Community Center last month.

We have hired an American Rescue Plan compliance consultant, Jack Reagan from UHY, who introduced himself at the council meeting two weeks ago.  Funding for the Community Center is a qualified ARPA expense which is why my administration has amended Ordinance 3111 to include funding for the Community Center and for administrative expenses.  The amended ordinance was sent to all members of Council a week ago this past Monday, March 7. 

I would like to cede some time now to Jack Reagan for him to speak. 

*PAUSE*

The allocations in the amended ordinance are as follows:

Flood Mitigation & Sewer Upgrades, $3.5 million

Police & Fire, $3 million

UD Community Center, $2.5 million

COVID Relief & Negative Economic Impacts, $2.5 million

Parks & Public Spaces, $3 million

Administrative Costs, $380,969.50 for a total of $14, 880, 969.50

I strongly urge Council to vote to place Ordinance 3111 on the agenda of the next council meeting to be introduced and advertised.

 Please visit our Facebook page, Upper Darby Township government for frequent updates. 

Now I’m going to ask CAO Rongione to provide some additional updates from the administration. 

*PAUSE*

Thank you Jack and CAO Rongione. That concludes my remarks.