Valley Forge Land Swap Approved
The signing of formal documents for a land swap involving property at Valley Forge and for a site in Independence National Historical Park is expected next week.
KYW'S Mark Abrams reports the agreement, expected to be signed on September 10th, would transfer 78 acres of land inside Valley Forge National Historical Park owned by the American Revolution Center to the federal government.
In exchange, the government will pay $3.2 million to the center organization and transfer a section of the old Independence Park visitor's center building and a little less than an acre of land to the group.
Phil Sheridan, spokesman for the National Park Service Northeast Region, says the deal has been in the works for several months:
"We've got to the point where we're ready to sign the agreement and make it a reality so that the park service will take possession of those 78 acres and the revolution center can proceed to build its museum at 3rd and Chestnut Street."
Governor Rendell, philanthropist Gerry Lenfest, and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar are expected to take part in ceremonies marking the deal here next Friday.
