Park Could Block Bedner's Entrance

A few Bridgeville residents are pushing to build a small park to block the from dumping traffic onto Main Street.

They suggested calling it Main Street Park or—with tongue placed firmly in cheek—Barrier Park.

Cee Cee McNulty, who lives on the road and is concerned about additional traffic, said three state representatives all suggested the community build a park on its right-of-way in order to force developers to build an entrance elsewhere. The developers previously said they prefer the Main Street entrance because other options are much more costly.

“We need to do whatever we can to fight this,” McNulty said during Monday night meeting. “I don’t think we should allow USC and the developer to just … roll over us. We have to stand up and say enough is enough.”

The council asked whether they could face a legal challenge to a park, but solicitor Richard Ferris doubted there would be a problem because it’s Bridgeville’s property.

“I would have no concern or fear of USC suing the borough with a park,” Ferris said. “That is not an impediment.”

He did caution that the issue should be studied because of costs to build the park and routine upkeep might be more expensive than they suspect. But McNulty said the residents could help raise money, and council Vice President Joe Colosimo thinks the costs could be minimal.

“Put two bushes and a bench there and forget about it,” Colosimo said.

Ferris urged them to be patient with any potential project to make sure it’s done right. Although a few on council agreed with that approach, Councilman Bill Colussy urged them to make a decision immediately or risk getting railroaded by USC and the developer.

“If we can get this park, do it quick. Don’t let them turn the key,” Colussy said while jabbing back and forth with council President Nino Petrocelli. “Whatever we have to put there, even if it’s a statue of you, Nino.”

Council agreed they would “look into the park” idea, but made no promises.

Meanwhile, the borough council agreed to pay $1,600 to HRG Engineering to conduct a traffic impact study on Bower Hill and McLaughlin Run roads. The borough officials hope that will give them some evidence .

“We need a traffic engineer on our behalf to make sure they’re doing everything up to par,” borough Manager Lori Collins said.

The next public hearing for the Bedner’s development on March 5 has been moved to the community room of . There will also be a public informational meeting at the Bridgeville fire hall on Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m.

What are your thoughts on Bridgeville building a park to block a Main Street entrance for the proposed Bedner's Farm development? Tell us in the comments.