I heard that the Double T Diner is being sold and a Wawa with be placed there. Is this making room for Wawa?

I am sure that if you made the owner the right offer, he would be willing to sell it to you so that you could rehabilitate it. Or maybe that 'someone' you refer to is the same someone that everyone refers to when "someone ought to do something..."

Doesn't seem like you read my comment correctly, Brandon. Anyway, perhaps you have the funds to buy this property from the owner and rehabilitate it. It's been sitting there for years waiting for someone just like you. There are several others in the community as well that I hope you can afford to renovate.

Guess it is a lot cheaper and easier to just let the structure collapse than to have a fully funded archaeological site evaluation done prior to demolition.

I believe that house is slated for demolition...isn't there a development going there?

Especially when you factor in how terrible the customer service is at Safeway...what a waste. outside of Swan Song and Safeway's everything bagels, that entire strip mall is more or less devoid of any value for me.

"Unfortunately its sometimes a matter of cost." Yes indeed it it way too unfortunate that we seem to base everything we do on MONEY. It is a commercial property. If could be rehabilitated into a money producing property. Consumers will not go to a business where the building is in such disrepair. The dress shop moved out, she told me, "because the owner would not make any repairs to this building." It appears that his plan all along was to let this building fall into such disrepair that the community would clamor for its demolition. We, as a community, have been manipulated. And sorry to say, it also appears that the councilman is going along with this manipulation whether he realizes it or not.

This may be "Monday morning quarterbacking" , but the owner rented this property to a business, which made the owner a landlord. Why wasn't he held accountable for properly maintaining the property for the past 20 years?

But perhaps the possible income in rent wasn't enough to justify the expense of upkeep and/or renovation...I seriously doubt, that with the lack of parking and difficult access, that many businesses would have much success in that building... without a successful business, it's hard to pay the amount of rent that would be necessary to maintain such an old building... simple fact is that this property has MORE value without this structure there...is it sad to see old buildings disappear, sure...but nothing last forever

Why is it that just because it is old it needs to be torn down? This is a form of architecture. This is historic in that sense. Lets preserve some of that. Lets show an appreciation for how things used to be while moving forfard. Lets end the "disposable" mentality we have as Americans. Reuse it. Refurbish it. Recycle it.

Brandon, you are free to make an offer to purchase this structure and reuse it, refurbish it, even recycle it. Or are you expecting the taxpayers to do that?

I agree, I think this house is an eyesore and needs to go; plus potentially dangerous if asbestos clean up is required. Progress is progress, and it's a good thing. No need to be sentimental when the replacement will be modern, clean, more energy efficient and bring commerce to the area. We have pictures and historical documents to show us how things "used to be"; we don't need crumbling reminders on the side of the road. This is life, things change, either you go with it, or fight against it at every step and remain angry old people resenting every new progress and developlment that hits the town. I for one, think PH is great place to live, and a little sprucing up is welcome.

That is why I asked a question: "Or are you expecting the taxpayers to do that?"

This is the second comment that refers to government money. And no where on this blog have I expressed anything relating to the idea that government money should be involved.

You could however impede this demolition until a solution could be found. The presentation of this article this morning saying this house will be demolished "this week." seems to make it impossible to find an alternative to wrecking it.

I was not Interested in the Perry hall mansion. I am interested in the Main Street feel of whats left.

I see people here asking if they can make an offer. I also remember a question posted on here on Perry Hall Patch more than a year ago asking if anyone knew the status of this house. No one wanted to discuss it then. Why not?

According to the article, demolition will be done by then.

I have changed the date to Wednesday night December 5th at 6:30. If there are folks who can do this tonight contact me by clicking on my name.

I'm sorry, but a protest to have someone else "Save this House" seems a bit much....why not instead try to pool together resources and purchase it and save it yourself?...unless you have tried and there is more to the story than we are told...

I am all for protests, but why the need to call it a 'peaceful' protest? Is there a possibility of violence over the demolition of this structure?

Lynn, I provided it to Mark Patro.

I feel like Perry Hall loses it's "Community" feel, when certain groups of residents try to force others to do what the THEY want with others private property, against their wishes

We're basically Giant converts now.

I'll buy a handful fo Safeway specific items on occasion, but that's it. Weis is okay, but for our own family's arsenal of items we buy, Giant seems to have us covered best (well other then Wegman's, just can't make the time to do that commute)

I pick up garbage along the roads where I live almost every day. I pick up garbage at the parks where my kids play - and I recycle when I can. I support all local businesses even if their prices are a bit higher, because the employees who work there don't set the price - and they need jobs. That is where I am.

This conversation is about community involvement, and unfortunately there is always hostility here. Is This how communities are suppose to work? I thought this forum was about discussing ideas. But unfortunately we have people like you attacking me for trying to find a solution and people like Brandon who are attacking our Councilman who is also trying to improve the appearance of our community.

I can see the difficultly in this situation, but I still oppose demolition. And I am willing to stand up and say so. David know I can work with him and he also knows we have come out on opposite sides of other issues, yet we continue to have a dialog.

And, as far as buying the house. I would if I had the means, but this doesn't mean we should shut people down when they do not have the means to pay for a solution.

And Heather, come help me build the Perry Hall Community Garden if your energy matches your tone. Find us on Facebook: Perry Hall Community Garden

I can't wait to bcome a board member. Until I am, I do lots more, Heather, than you even know about. Just because the people of Perry Hall aren't board members and attend scheduled cleaning events, building upkeep, doesn't mean we don't make a difference. I won't apologize for not being able to attend scheduled events where my picture will appear. Some of us make a true difference without this.

I would get more involved if I could find the time. If it's not playing with my kid, it's being at the gym, or martial arts (which has been suffering the past few weeks thanks to the holidays schedule).

I'm afraid I might end up having to be old to truly be active in the community. You know, like 90% of the people I see at PHIA meetings.

Occasionally, I'll be really into an issue and that'll motivate me to come out to meetings though. The Perry Hall Shopping Center - back when Super Fresh closed down - was one. About the only thing major on my personal radar these days is the lack of air-conditioning in our schools (combined with the overpopulation of PH Middle and High School).

thanks Emily

Heather S - I know you are part of the solution - please don't think my comments are a personal attack on you. I am thankful for your involvement.

Some of us have only lived here < 5 years, so we don't know all of the past protests.

Just one question, if this property holds so much family value and heritage....why did the Schafer family sell it?

Mr. Redmer, there is more than one way to quantify "value."

Mark - great point. Ask people to define 'rich' and they go right to money. I have a job, a family, and am healthy...try putting a 'value' on that. Also, this would be a great government building for 'downtown' Perry Hall. It would be in the center of the revitalization project, have historic features, and I could walk to it to talk to our governing body.

Yes Mark...and I am referring to the implied "Sentimental" value... There are Schafer family members posting here that seem to suggest that a private landowner should lose their property rights because a structure has sentimental value to their family...my question simply is, if it was so important to the family, why and under what circumstances was it sold?

"sentimental" is your word and your spin.

Mr. Doe,

Do you have ANY idea the costs associated with restoring this structure for government use? Personally I don't want my tax dollars going towards it

Ok Mr. Patro,

Then in the spirit of debate, how about you stop being so vague and explain exactly what it is that I said that you object to...

Well first of all there would be cultural value. There would also be aesthetic value. Sentiment might be there for some people. There is the "town center" appeal vs the "main street" appeal. Are we trying to turn Perry hall into Ritchie Highway?

Steve - I know plenty about the costs. So demolish it, put in a Rite-Aid or liquor store. Enjoy your 'downtown' of a liquor store, gas station, 7-11, and all-night diner - this would definitely decrease robberies, car accidents, and violence. Enjoy, Perry Hall residents and surrounding businesses.

Ok good, So explain to me what Cultural and/or aesthetic value this derelict property holds?
yes it is old, but that doesn't make it cultural...
and even if restored i fail to see the aesthetic value... this building nor the architecture of it are not exceptionally beautiful...

and as for the "appeal" of Perry Hall, I'm not sure what you are looking at...I LOVE this neighborhood, born and raised here... but there is nothing about the Bel Air Rd corridor that I find pleasing to the eyes...it is a hodge-podge collection of old houses that have been converted into mostly unsuccessful businesses, many of which are in disrepair and not many of which have any real aesthetic appeal...

In my opinion, preserving this even older and more run down structure would not improve in any way the cultural or aesthetic value of my beloved Perry Hall

So Mr. Doe, In your view, who should pay for the preservation and restoration of this property?

John Doe - The property owner has the greatest ability to control the future of the property - So you (or someone else) should pony up and become the property owner. If not, you have zoning laws and local covenants to fall back on.

Steve, the point behind this exercise is to engage the community. The "tear it down before they know anything is going on here," is the problem. The what you personally find beautiful, aesthetic or cultural is all a matter of opinion. I have one and so do you. Any many other have might disagree with both of us. Demeaning each others opinion is not my goal here. I'm not interested in that kind of dialog. How long you have lived here matters little to me. we both live hear at the moment. This should matter because we are both engaged in this community. Secondly, we elected Councilman Mark's to do a job. And I will say he is doing it rather well even though he and I do not always agree. And finally there IS history here and there is also value in having mixed scale commercial properties along Belair Road.

Mark, That is a very fair argument and stance... I personally don't like to see historical structures get demolished...There are have been many historic homes and buildings in Perry Hall that have disappeared in my time here that I feel have had both more historical value and more aesthetic value than this property we speak of...It was sad to see them go, however it boils down to money... someone, whether a person, an organization or a government entity is required to step forth and pay for such structures to be preserved and restored.

That being, in any preservation action, the current owner of the property must be compensated, whether by mutually agreed upon sale, or compensation for loss if done by government action...

If you, or any organization wishes to step forward and pay market value and preserve/restore this particular structure, I applaud you for your effort....however, in this particular case, I FIRMLY oppose any government action to strip the current owner of their property rights OR to fund any such venture through County or State funds...there have been structures in Perry Hall that I would support government intervention....but in this case I fail to see the Cultural/Historic/Aesthetic or economic value in Government action

I haven't read all the posts on here. But I have not suggested any government money be used on this project. There have been a few responses asking about who to contact in order to make an offer. I can direct anyone I haven't already heard from. But I have to hear from those people interested in order to make something happen here. I agree that this corner greatly affects the appearance of Perry Hall, and I am not suggesting it stay in its dilapidated condition.

Mark, what you are apparently promoting is an attempt to force your beliefs (and others who think like you) on someone else"s lawful property decisions because you believe it is for the greater good. That is never acceptable to me unless the property owner is properly compensated. Do you see that? I question the validity of that argument in this or many other examples.

I am always cautious of those that come forward for the greater good.