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January 15, 2008

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Tom Murray - Main Line Life

A Job Well Done in Lower Merion

It looks like I owe an apology to some people in Lower Merion.

A few months back when the township was in the process of deciding the fate of Ardmore and its business district, I wondered in an editorial if the different groups and associations could get along.

I warned of an upcoming fight as township officials decided what direction was best for Ardmore, and to some I came across as very skeptical that the different groups would get along.

The ink in that week's edition wasn't even dry when I opened my e-mail on a Wednesday night and was told by one of the civic association leaders that I was wrong.


A few days later, a letter to the editor arrived on my desk that started: "Shame on you Tom Murray." I knew right away that I wasn't being invited to lunch.

So far, it looks like they were correct.

Last week, Lower Merion officials named EBL&S Development as its choice to lead the revitalization of the downtown. The next step in giving Ardmore a facelift is now in the hands of a Main Liner himself - Gladwyne resident Edward B. Lipkin, and the likeable developer has high hopes that this job will be his gift to an area that he has grown to love.

Also at last week's meeting, representatives of the Save Ardmore Coalition, the Ardmore Initiative business authority, the Ardmore Business Association and First Friday Main Line read a joint statement of a vision for Ardmore's future.

While they didn't endorse one particular plan or developer, they let it be known that they were willing to work together and hopefully everyone will be happy when the project is complete.

(In an effort to be completely fair, there is no truth to the report that all the groups held hands and sang "Kumbaya" on the steps of the township building. Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

There are also other neighborhood groups that voiced their opinion that the most important thing with the process is that they get it right. They weren't part of the joint announcement, but their voices have been heard.

It's usually at this point the old Tom Murray would make a smart-aleck comment about waking up in Kansas, but the new Tom Murray is very impressed.

I really do owe an apology to some members of the Ardmore community because I doubted you could play well with others. I doubted that you could set aside your differences and think big.

Because that's exactly what Lipkin's plans are: Big.

His vision calls for a new train station building, topped by a hotel, spanning the railroad tracks, as well as a community theater/performing arts center at Schauffele Plaza.

Lipkin has a very impressive resume and apparently wowed the majority of the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners.

If things go as planned, I agree with Lipkin who has said this project could be his legacy for his company and for him as a Main Liner.

In fact, this was going to be a Lipkin legacy editorial, but as I sat down to write, all I could hear in the back of my mind was that I misjudged the neighborhood groups and business associations.

It's no secret that I have taken many Main Line groups to task for standing in the way of what I considered progress, but I must admit in this case I was wrong.

The neighborhood groups and business associations have not only worked together in Ardmore, but have evoked a spirit of cooperation that I have not seen during my three years at Main Line Life.

I am not just talking about Lower Merion's past problems either. While Lower Merion was the birthplace of the first Main Line homeowners'groups, other Main Line towns have watched and learned how to fight for the causes they too hold as important.

But it has also been said they have stood in the way of what others call "progress."

So is this a sign of good things to come for the Main Line?

I have been around long enough not to become unrealistic, but as I have grown older, I also find it easier to admit I was wrong.

Congratulations are in order in Lower Merion, Ed Lipkin and most importantly, the township groups and associations.

Tom Murray is Managing Editor of Main Line Life He can be reached at tmurray@mainlinelife.com.

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