A Tredyffrin office conversion bucks a suburban trend | Inquirer Chester County
Plus, East Whiteland pushed a data center meeting after too many people showed up.
Hi, Chester County! 👋
A Tredyffrin office complex is being converted into housing, bucking a suburban trend. Here’s why. Also, East Whiteland Township’s meeting about a proposed data center was postponed after too many people showed up, the county’s CEO left the job Monday and has been replaced, plus a West Goshen business could face fines after polluting a local waterway.
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An eight-building office complex at 435 Devon Park Dr. in Tredyffrin Township is on its way to becoming housing, making it one of the only suburban office-to-housing conversions underway in the region. Zoning issues, demands on school districts, and economic feasibility often make these types of conversions difficult and costly.
Built in the 1980s, the complex is able to be more easily converted than many of its larger counterparts thanks to its layout and the fact that it already has operable windows.
Once complete, the former office buildings will have 162 apartments, largely studios and one-bedrooms, breathing new life into the complex.
The Inquirer’s Jake Blumgart delves into what makes this project different.
📍 Countywide News
In case you missed it, county CEO David Byerman left the job on Monday after just over a year in the role. Former Deputy County Administrator Erik Walschburger was immediately appointed to oversee the county’s staff and budget under the title of “county administrator.”
Chester County Library in Exton launched a new service this week allowing residents to apply for a U.S. passport. The appointment-only offering is for first-time passport applicants, applicants whose previous passport was issued before they turned 16, or applicants whose passport was lost, stolen, damaged, or issued over 15 years ago. Learn more about the program here.
💡 Community News
Over the weekend, a “milky white” substance and dead fish were spotted in Goose Creek in West Chester, prompting municipal and state officials to investigate. The leak in West Goshen Township was plugged after the substance was traced back to Atmos Technologies, a company with a location at 216 Garfield Ave. Drinking water wasn’t affected, but Aqua Pennsylvania will continue to monitor the area downstream. Atmos faces potential fines.
East Whiteland Township’s planning commission has rescheduled last week’s meeting about a proposed data center at a former Superfund site after there were more attendees than the room’s 98-person capacity could hold. The commission is set to consider an amended application that calls for increasing the size of the two proposed data center buildings by roughly 61% from what was previously approved. The meeting at a larger venue is tentatively set for Monday.
An NBC10 Philadelphia investigation found that Honey Brook Constable David Jones Sr. is among two area law enforcement officers to have signed a 287(g) agreement, which authorizes agencies to carry out immigration enforcement. Jones told the network that he hasn’t heard from ICE since entering into the agreement in October.
The West Sadsbury Township zoning board will meet tomorrow at 6 p.m. to consider a proposal for a new storage facility at 5787 W. Lincoln Highway in Parkesburg.
There’s a town hall meeting tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at the Tredyffrin Township building to discuss the Pennsylvania Turnpike Milepost 320-324 construction project. The project calls for reconstructing four miles of the turnpike and widening the section from four lanes in each direction to six lanes.
Malvern Borough is hosting a public workshop on Monday at 7 p.m. for its Zoning, Subdivision, and Land Development Task Force as it considers amendments to its zoning ordinance and map.
Heads up for drivers: In Upper Uwchlan Township, Styer Road between Meadow Creek Lane and Morning Light Road will close Monday and isn’t expected to reopen for three or four weeks while crews work on the underside of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Overpass. U.S. 30 westbound between Lincoln Highway and the ramp onto Airport Road, an area that spanning Sadsbury and Valley Townships, will have a lane closure from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. today through Friday as crews make repairs. In East Pikeland Township, Spring City Road is closed between Township Line Road and Wall Street as crews work to replace the bridge there. The project is expected to last 12 to 18 months. Expect delays between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on East Swedesford Road near the intersection of Church Farm Lane in West Whiteland Township for the next two weeks, while roadwork takes place.
Pennsylvania American Water is expected to replace water mains in Parkesburg Borough through April 3. Customers may experience no water, low water pressure, or discolored water while work takes place. Learn more about the project here.
Peco will begin updating the underground electrical feed in Kennett Township early this month, impacting Davenport and Cedar Croft Roads, as well as Donny Lane. The electrical system upgrade work is scheduled to be completed by June.
Residents will gather this weekend in Coatesville to commemorate the 61st anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March, during which civil rights activists faced police attacks. The Together We Stand Project will host a march on Saturday at 9 a.m., with participants gathering at Gateway Park then walking along Route 30 from 1st Avenue to 5th Avenue. “This march is not just about remembering history — it’s about inspiring our community to take action and embrace their civic responsibility,” event organizer Linda Lavender Norris said.
A former employee at the Devereux behavioral health campus in West Whiteland Township has been convicted for soliciting sexual acts from a 14-year-old resident at the site. Shakur Austin, 28, of Philadelphia, will be sentenced at a later date.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Great Valley School District’s school board last week approved students’ request to start a “Club America” chapter at Great Valley High School. The chapter, affiliated with the national Turning Point USA organization, will “discuss the principles of freedom, free markets, and limited government” and “give representation to conservative and Christian voices,” according to club leaders. A student and a community member spoke against the club’s formation, describing Turning Point as divisive, The Inquirer’s Maddie Hanna reports.
Registration is now open for Owen J. Roberts School District’s more than 40 summer enrichment camp programs.
Tredyffrin/Easttown School District is hosting a workshop for its 2026-27 budget on Monday at Conestoga High School following the Finance Committee meeting, which starts at 7 p.m.
Registration for new TESD students entering kindergarten and first grade next school year is now open. Learn more here.
Unionville High School’s robotics team took home first place in the United States Governors Cup’s FIRST Tech Challenge, held in Washington, D.C., last month. The Silver Wolves were the only Pennsylvania team to compete in the inaugural event.
🍽️ On our Plate
Two new eateries recently opened in West Chester. Cousin’s Burger opened last week at 211 E. Market St., taking over the former Miss Winnie’s space. The new spot, which has several other area locations, serves smash burgers, chicken sandwiches, loaded fries, wings, and chicken tenders. And West Chester Chicken, located at 34 S. High St., is also now open and dishing up fried and grilled chicken, sandwiches, boardwalk fries, and water ice.
🎳 Things to Do
🏀 Harlem Wizards: The traveling professional basketball team known for its entertaining hoops skills is coming to town. ⏰ Friday, March 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 💵 $21.99-$76.99 📍West Chester East High School
🩰 Spotlight Performance and Fundraiser: See performances from the Brandywine Contemporary and Brandywine Ballet companies, including a preview of the upcoming production of The Phantom of the Opera. ⏰ Friday, March 6, 7:15 p.m. 💵 $56-$106 📍Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, West Chester
🍁 Maple Syrup at Springton Manor Farm: Learn how to tap a maple tree and then boil the contents for syrup during one of three 45-minute sessions. Registration is required. ⏰ Sunday, March 8, noon-2:45 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Springton Manor Farm
☘️ Solas’ 30th Anniversary Tour: The Celtic ensemble blends traditional Irish music with Americana, bluegrass, and folk elements. ⏰ Sunday, March 8, 7:30 p.m. 💵 $41.78-$88.87 📍The Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville
🏡 On the Market
This brick Malvern home is classic Main Line, with a twist. It has an attached greenhouse equipped with running water, drainage, and a heating system. Inside, the first floor features hardwood floors, a living room with a fireplace, a dining room, an eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and two ovens, a bedroom with a gas fireplace, and a full bathroom. There are several bedrooms upstairs, including the primary suite, as well as a family room with skylights. Downstairs, there’s a temperature-controlled wine cellar in the walk-out basement, along with another bedroom and full bathroom. Out back, the home has an in-ground pool, a deck, and a large yard. There’s an open house Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $1.275M | Size: 3,800 SF | Acreage: 2
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