If not Green Woods Charter School, what next for Germany Hill?

Following news that the Green Woods Charter School would not move to Germany Hill in Manayunk, a reader wants to know who owns the land and what else it should be used for. Amy Z. Quinn of PlanPhilly got back with an answer.

 

Last week, Amy Z. Quinn of PlanPhilly reported that the Green Woods Charter School would not be moving to Manayunk’s Germany Hill but instead was considering another location in Roxborough (“Green Woods Charter switches gears, explores move to Domino Lane,” Dec. 2).

 

James, a reader, asked:

Who owns Germany Hill? If nobody wants this 20-acre site to be developed, wouldn’t it make sense for the city to consider buying it and having it as a recreational park/natural preserve? That would be the best use for the site than to trample on someone’s property rights by preventing him or her from developing the site.

Quinn wrote back in response:

The 20 acres that make up Germany Hill are split into two parcels, the larger of two—about 12 acres—being owned by the Fairmount Park Commission. When he was 4th District Councilman, Michael Nutter expressed commitment to seeing it remain undeveloped.

The remaining eight acres—the parcel Green Woods was considering—is privately owned, and neighbors have protested any previous attempts at development. The civic association has asked Councilman Curtis Jones’ office to discuss the possibility of a land swap with the city and the owner, but there is no deal in place.

Thanks for the great question, James!

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