Horham Township Authority for HLRA Contact Information
1025 Horsham Road
Horsham, PA 19044
Michael McGee Executive Director
Tel: (215) 643-3131 Ext:232
Fax: (215) 643-0448
HLRA Overview
To implement the NAS-JRB Willow Grove Redevelopment Plan, Horsham Township has created a new authority, the Horsham Land Redevelopment Authority (HLRA). The HLRA received official recognition from the Department of Defense as the implementing local reuse authority responsible for redeveloping the property. The Redevelopment Plan recommends that the property be conveyed from the U.S. Navy to the implementing HLRA via an Economic Development Conveyance. The HLRA will negotiate with the U.S. Navy on the terms of the transfer while the environmental review is being completed. Ownership of the property cannot occur until after completion of the environmental review.
Horsham Land Redevelopment Authority
On June 25, 2012 the Horsham Land Redevelopment Authority (HLRA), was created by Horsham Township Resolution 2012-2. Five individuals have been appointed by Township Council to serve on the HLRA Board. The powers of the HLRA are described in the legislation and include the power to purchase, lease, dispose, acquire, hold and otherwise control land acquired from the federal government and to construct, improve, maintain, lease and perform all other development activities on the property; to borrow money, accept grants, make loans, issue revenue bonds, encourage and facilitate job training and housing rehabilitation programs for surrounding residents and do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers expressly given in the act.
The strategy for obtaining the former base property requires the submission of an Economic Development Conveyance (EDC) Application for the transfer of the entire 862-acre property to the newly created Implementing Local Redevelopment Authority. The Horsham Land Redevelopment Authority was officially recognized by the Office of Economic Adjustment, on behalf of the Secretary of Defense, as the Local Redevelopment Authority for purposes of implementing the local redevelopment plan for NAS-JRB Willow Grove on August 27, 2012.
Horsham Township Authority for NAS-JRB Willow Grove (2005 – 2012)
Effective November 9, 2005, the Base Closure and Realignment Commission voted to close NAS-JRB Willow Grove, a 862-acre installation located in Horsham, Pennsylvania. Closure occurred September, 2011.
In preparation for the closure of NAS-JRB Willow Grove, The Horsham Township Authority for NAS-JRB (HLRA) was formed by Horsham Township Resolution 2005-26 on October 12, 2005 to oversee and facilitate the creation of a Redevelopment Plan. The HLRA Board consisted of nine members. In addition to the Executive Board, there were five subcommittees including Reuse Planning, Economic Development, Environmental, Housing and Homeless and the Bucks County Housing committees.
On March 21, 2012, after considerable analysis, public input and discussion, the Horsham Township Authority for NAS-JRB Willow Grove (“HLRA”) officially approved the proposed NAS-JRB Willow Grove Redevelopment Plan and Homeless Assistance Submission. The HLRA staff worked steadily with the consultant to complete the necessary documents following Board approval and successfully submitted the full NAS-JRB Willow Grove Redevelopment Plan to the U.S. Navy on April 27, 2012. Concurrently the Homeless Assistance Submission was submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Since the planning process for the redevelopment of the NAS-JRB Willow Grove base is complete; the Board for the Horsham Township Authority for NAS-JRB Willow Grove voted to dissolve on September 19, 2012. All assets and liabilities will be transferred to the Horsham Land Redevelopment Authority (HLRA).
HLRA Board Members
W. William Whiteside III – Chairperson
Mr. Whiteside has been the Chairperson of the planning LRA since its creation in 2005. He is also currently an elected member of the Horsham Township Council.
Joanna M. Furia, Esquire – Vice Chairperson
Ms. Furia has been the Vice Chairperson of the planning LRA since its creation in 2005 and formerly served 8 years on Horsham Township Council. Ms. Furia is an attorney whose practice is located in Horsham Township.
William E. Donnelly – Member
Mr. Donnelly has served as a member of the planning LRA since its creation in 2005 and has been a member of the Horsham Industrial and Commercial Development Authority for more than 30 years. He has experience as a real estate professional and was an elected official of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania for many years.
Dr. Curtis Griffin – Member
Dr. Griffin is the Superintendent of Schools at the Hatboro Horsham School District and served as a member of the planning LRA representing the Hatboro-Horsham School District.
Mark McCouch – Member
Mr. McCouch is a real estate professional. He has served as a member of the Horsham Township Council for 8 years and is currently the President of the Horsham Township Council.
HLRA Staff
Michael J. McGee – Executive Director
215.643.3131 x232
mmcgee@horsham.org
Tom Ames, P.E. – Deputy Director
215.643.3131 x230
tames@horsham.org
Colleen Wilson – Administrative Assistant
215.643.3131 x233
cwilson@horsham.org
Mary Eberle, Esquire – Solicitor
Grim, Biehn & Thatcher
Sixth & Chestnut Streets
P.O. Box 215
Perkasie, PA 18944
meberle@grimlaw.com
George Schlossberg, Esquire – Special Counsel
Kutak Rock, LLP
1101 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20036
george.schlossberg@kutakrock.com
