Property Sale
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- Board
- Budget
- Facilities
SIEMENS PROPERTY HISTORY
2006
- The property was purchased by Downingtown Area School District (DASD) from Siemens Medical Solutions for $22 million with the intent of building a third secondary campus.
- DASD was unable to gain a change in zoning to allow the building of a school.
2014
- Enrollment growth was focused in the south and central areas of the district, making the Siemens property no longer a suitable site for the district.
- DASD entered into sales agreement with Hankin Group.
- Hankin Group was unable to gain zoning approval for residential and retail development.
- The Hankin agreement with DASD was terminated in 2021.
2022
- DASD entered into a sales agreement with Audubon in July 2022 for $96.25 million.
- The Chester County Court of Common Pleas judge signed the order approving the sale in November 2022.
- The closing date on the property is December 2024.
DOES THE DISTRICT HAVE ANY OVERSIGHT ON WHAT WILL BE BUILT ON THE PROPERTY IN UWCHLAN TOWNSHIP?
The Siemens property is the subject of an agreement of sale that is legally binding on the district as well as the buyer, Audubon Land Development. The district is contractually obligated to respect the rights of the buyer and is not in a position to entertain other options, unless the contract is terminated by Audubon.
The decision for what will or will not be built on the Uwchlan Township property can only be determined by Audubon Land Development and is governed by the township’s zoning process and planning commission. The area is currently zoned as commercial and industrial. The township controls the zoning approvals for this property.
The decision for what will or will not be built on the Uwchlan Township property can only be determined by Audubon Land Development and is governed by the township’s zoning process and planning commission. The area is currently zoned as commercial and industrial. The township controls the zoning approvals for this property.
WHAT ARE THE DISTRICT’S FUTURE PLANS FOR THE FUNDS RECEIVED FROM THE SALE?
Downingtown Area School District’s plan to achieve full-day kindergarten is contingent upon the building of a new 5/6 center. With the funds from the sale of the Siemens property, the district plans to build a 5/6 school closer to the center of the district, and to convert the current Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center into a 5/6 center.
Once built, DASD’s elementary schools will become K-4 schools, and will then have enough space to support full-day kindergarten in all 10 elementary buildings. At this time, the district’s current capital fund does not have enough money to construct a 5/6 center building, making the ability to provide full-day kindergarten dependent upon the sale of the Siemens property.
Once built, DASD’s elementary schools will become K-4 schools, and will then have enough space to support full-day kindergarten in all 10 elementary buildings. At this time, the district’s current capital fund does not have enough money to construct a 5/6 center building, making the ability to provide full-day kindergarten dependent upon the sale of the Siemens property.