Est. 2026 Wayne · St. David's · Radnor Township Vol. I, No. 1
The Radnor Gazette
All the News That Fits the Township
Thursday, March 12, 2026 Delaware County, Pennsylvania Price: Free to Residents

Commissioners Table VFMA Eminent Domain;
Right-of-First-Refusal Offer Emerges

34 acres of prime Wayne land hang in the balance as Township pivots from condemnation to negotiation with closing military academy

The Board of Commissioners voted Monday evening to table the eminent domain ordinance targeting approximately 17 acres of Valley Forge Military Academy land, a dramatic pivot that came after VFMA's negotiating team offered a five-year right-of-first-refusal agreement covering the full 34-acre campus once the college closes this spring.

VFMA Foundation Board Chair John English pressed commissioners for a clause barring any eminent domain action during the five-year window — a provision that would strip the township of its strongest leverage should negotiations stall.

The township had initiated the condemnation process in January to secure land for a long-sought recreation center and public park, responding to fears that developers would move quickly on the valuable Main Line acreage.

The terms of the right-of-first-refusal agreement are expected to be a central topic at the March 22 Board of Commissioners meeting. Residents concerned about the future of the property are encouraged to attend.

Main Line Media News, 3/11 · Delco Today, 3/11 · Phila. Business Journal, 3/10

"This is the kind of decision that determines what Wayne looks like in 2040."

— See Editorial, Page Bottom

Township Action Bulletin
  • Mar 30: Pay-by-Plate parking launches township-wide. Download the ParkMobile app.
  • Chamounix Rd closed for PECO gas main work through mid-March (9 AM–3 PM).
  • Trianon Lane area: PECO underground electric upgrade, ~2 months.
  • Leaf blower ban: Commissioner Agnew investigating; no vote date set.
Upcoming Meetings
  • Mar 19 — Zoning Hearing Board, 7 PM
  • Mar 19 — Wayne Business Assn. Meeting
  • Mar 22 — Board of Commissioners
2026 Priorities Watch
  • Vision for Radnor — Code/ordinance cleanup phase
  • Vision for Wayne — Public input on walkability & housing
  • Stormwater — 4 projects in design phase
  • Radnor Trail — Eastern extension under review

Safety & Police
School Employee Arrested on Texas Assault Warrant
U.S. Marshals take Radnor Middle paraprofessional into custody; Police urge community vigilance

Michael Robinson, 43, a paraprofessional at Radnor Middle School, was arrested February 26 by U.S. Marshals on an outstanding warrant from Texas for aggravated sexual assault of a child. Robinson had been placed on administrative leave prior to the arrest.

Police Superintendent Christopher Flanagan issued a public statement urging students, parents, and community members to report any suspicious or criminal activity to the department.

Delco Times, 3/8 · Radnor Patch, 3/3

Accidental Shooting; Man Expected to Recover

A 79-year-old Radnor man was transported to Lankenau Medical Center on March 3 after accidentally shooting himself at his residence. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Delco Times, 3/3

DUI Checkpoints Announced for Weekend

Radnor Police have announced DUI checkpoints and increased patrols for this coming weekend. Drivers are advised to plan accordingly.

Radnor Patch
Schools — RTSD
District Weighs New Policies After AI-Generated Images Incident
Board reviewing cyberbullying and technology rules as parents describe lasting impact

The Radnor Township School District is actively reviewing its cyberbullying, harassment, and technology policies after a student was charged with creating AI-generated sexual images of classmates. The incident, which came to light in December, has drawn sustained public comment at board meetings, with parents describing lasting trauma to affected students.

The district is considering revisions that would explicitly address AI-generated material and off-campus conduct that affects the school environment. FOX 29 reported March 10 that new rules are under active consideration by the board.

FOX 29, 3/10 · SAVVY Main Line · Main Line Media News

Ithan Elementary Rebuild Comes in Under Budget
Pre-bid results show $2.9M favorable buffer; groundbreaking targeted for April

The RTSD Facilities Committee reported encouraging news at its March 10 meeting: pre-bid results for the Ithan Elementary School rebuild came in with a $2.9 million buffer from favorable bids. Early site preparation, including tree removal and erosion controls, is underway. Full mobilization and groundbreaking are targeted for April 2026.

RTSD Facilities Committee, 3/10

Development & Real Estate
Vision for Wayne Master Plan Gathers Public Input

The downtown Wayne planning process continues with emphasis on walkability, mixed housing options, parking solutions, and preserving the business district's character. Public input sessions remain ongoing at avisionforwayne.com.

Main Line Media News, 1/13

Triple Crown: Fearless Restaurants Plans New Concept at Radnor Hotel

Fearless Restaurants, operators of White Dog Café and Rosemary, is developing "Triple Crown," a new restaurant concept at the Radnor Hotel, 591 E. Lancaster Avenue. Details on format and opening date are forthcoming.


Testa Rossa Italian Coming to Former Bertucci's

A new Italian restaurant called Testa Rossa is planned for the former Bertucci's space on Lancaster Avenue in Wayne.


Active Land Development Applications

The township maintains a running list of projects under review by the Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board. Residents can track current applications at radnor.com/currentlanddevelopmentprojects.

radnor.com Community Development
Environment & Parks
Four Stormwater Projects Advancing Through Design

Multiple flood reduction projects are moving through the township's engineering pipeline: South Wayne Drainage Improvements (feasibility complete), North Wayne/Gulph Creek Flood Plain Creation (design phase), West Wayne Preserve stormwater management (design phase), and the South Wayne Municipal Parking Lot flood reduction project (design phase).

radnor.com Strategic Projects

Radnor Trail Extension Options Under Review

Planning continues for the eastward extension of the Radnor Trail past Radnor-Chester Road. Three crossing options remain under evaluation: at-grade, below-grade culvert, and a pedestrian bridge.

radnor.com Trail Projects

Fenimore Woods Renovation in Design Phase

The stable renovation and pavilion replacement project at Fenimore Woods is in design/bid phase with community input sessions to be scheduled.

· · ·

Quiet week from Radnor Conservancy and Chanticleer Garden — no new announcements.


Community & Lifestyle
Di Bruno Bros Closes Wayne Store

The beloved Italian market shuttered its Wayne location on February 11 as part of Wakefern's closure of all three Di Bruno Bros stores — Wayne, Ardmore, and Center City. A significant loss for Wayne's food scene.


Alessandro's Expanding to Bryn Mawr

The popular Wayne restaurant is opening a second location in Bryn Mawr, taking over the former Il Fiore space on Lancaster Avenue.

SAVVY Main Line, 1/16
Girls Flag Football Launching March 30

Radnor Parks & Recreation is starting a girls flag football program on March 30 for ages 5–12. Registration details available through the Parks & Rec office.


SEPTA: New Rail Schedules in Effect

New Regional Rail schedules took effect February 1 with additional trips on several lines serving the Paoli/Thorndale corridor. Riders should check updated timetables at septa.org.

SEPTA Bus Overhaul Coming in August

A major bus network redesign affecting Delaware County routes begins implementation in August 2026. Expect significant route changes across the region.


Delaware County Budget Includes 19% Tax Hike

The 2026 county budget includes a 19% property tax increase to 4.609 mills. The Budget Task Force is reconvening to review spending priorities and identify savings.


Forthcoming Events & Engagements
DateEventDetails
Mar 19Zoning Hearing Board7 PM, Radnorshire Room, 301 Iven Ave
Mar 19Wayne Business Assn. MeetingMonthly member meeting
Mar 19MLCC Apprenticeships EventVirtual — Main Line Chamber of Commerce
Mar 22Board of CommissionersRegular meeting, 301 Iven Ave
Mar 23MLCC Network at NoonRadnor Valley Country Club
Mar 25MLCC Nonprofit RoundtableMain Line Chamber of Commerce
Mar 26Women's History Month ChatMLCC Fireside Chat
Mar 30Pay-by-Plate Parking LaunchesTownship-wide — download ParkMobile
Mar 30Girls Flag Football KickoffParks & Rec, ages 5–12
Apr 27Wheels of WayneN. Wayne Ave closed 7 AM–7 PM (rain date May 4)
May 1695th Radnor Hunt RacesFinal year Brandywine Conservancy as sole operator

⬥ Editorial ⬥
The VFMA Land Deal Could Reshape
Wayne for a Generation

The biggest story in Radnor right now isn't the one making headlines — it's the one quietly shifting behind closed doors. Monday's tabling of the eminent domain ordinance for Valley Forge Military Academy land is a bigger deal than it looks.

Here's the backdrop: VFMA is closing this spring. That puts 34 acres of prime Wayne real estate into play. Radnor initiated eminent domain in January for roughly 17 acres to build a recreation center and park — a direct response to fears that developers would scoop up the land for luxury homes.

But now the township has pivoted to a right-of-first-refusal deal. On paper, this looks like a diplomatic win: avoid the legal costs of condemnation, get five years to match any developer offer on the full 34 acres.

The risk? VFMA Foundation Chair John English is pushing for a clause that would bar eminent domain during those five years. If Radnor agrees and then can't match a developer's price in Year 3, they'd have no leverage. And with residential developers eyeing prime Main Line acreage, those offers could be substantial.

This is the kind of decision that determines what Wayne looks like in 2040. A public recreation center and parkland would be transformational for a township that's long been underserved on that front. But if the deal falls through and the land goes to a developer, that window closes permanently.

Watch the March 22 Commissioners meeting closely. The terms of this right-of-first-refusal agreement will tell you everything about how seriously the township is playing this.