Montco protest planned for Ardmore project

LOWER MERION Opponents of a planned apartment and retail tower near the Ardmore train station aren't giving up, even as the developer prepares to break ground in December.

Critics say the project, One Ardmore Place, would not jibe with the mom-and-pop character of downtown Ardmore, bringing more density and traffic, and more burden to the schools.

The 121-unit, eight-story tower would replace the township's Cricket Avenue parking lot and add 25 more public parking spaces than are there currently, according to an Oct. 9 presentation by the developer.

Dranoff Properties says the building will bring $100 million in economic stimulus and create a more vibrant downtown.

The project had been stalled for about a year but came back to life in September when Gov. Corbett restored $10.5 million in state grants.

A protest is planned for 3:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday in front of the Lower Merion Township building, 75 E. Lancaster Avenue. In the event of heavy rain, the rally will be rescheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 8.

- Jessica Parks