Posted on March 3, 2020 by Heather Adams

City of Reading, Reading School District coordinate on Windsor and Ritter property

from Reading School District and City of Reading

City of Reading, Reading School District coordinate on Windsor and Ritter property

Reading, Pa. – In October of 2019, Reading City Council authorized the purchase by the City of Reading (“City”) of the approximately 50 acre Dana South property for $1.54 million.  The site was formerly the Dana Parish Division location along the Schuylkill River within the City limits.  The City will be marketing the site to bring good paying jobs not only to Berks County but within the City limits, allowing residents to walk to work.

To provide appropriate access to the former Dana site, the City needs to acquire approximately two acres of the Windsor and Ritter property, which is currently owned by the Reading School District (“School District”).  As Dr. Khalid Mumin, Superintendent of the School District stated, “The Windsor and Ritter property was previously a playground.  Prior to my administration, the School District began the process of designing a school for that location.  It is my understanding, that during that process, the School District learned of the City’s interest in placing a road extension across the property to allow appropriate commercial transportation access to the Dana site.”

The City is currently working with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (“Penn DOT”) to design, acquire and construct the road extension.  The City today, February 28, 2020, authorized Penn DOT to file a declaration of taking to implement the acquisition of the School District property.  The School District and the City are amicably coordinating this process.  As Dr. Mumin further explained, “We have met with the new City administration and understand that this process under the Eminent Domain Code is simply a required step to facilitate the road extension.”  For his part, Mayor Eddie Moran noted: “My commitment to foster synergy between all stakeholders is rooted in the conviction that we can only build a better Reading by working together.  I am grateful to the School District and its willingness to partner with us as we realize that vision.”

Both Dr. Mumin and Mayor Moran agreed that job opportunities within the City limits will better the lives and offer opportunities to all residents, including students and their parents.

Background on the River Road Extension Project is available at:  https://www.readingpa.gov/content/river-road-extension-project

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