Delaware County officials have abandoned plans to locate mental health services in the former Don Guanella School building on the site of the future Delco Woods Park in Marple Township.
The 213-acre property along Sproul Road was formerly owned by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia but was acquired by eminent domain in 2021, making it the largest remaining open space in the county. At the time it was purchased for $22 million after years of campaigning to preserve the land, the county indicated its sole purpose for the land was to develop a wooded park with walking trails, bike paths and other amenities.
But in recent months, Delaware lawmakers have been considering the possibility of using an old school building on the site as a mental health facility. Lawmakers argued that because part of the site is already zoned for institutional use, and facilities can’t be built in densely populated areas, it could be a convenient location for such services.
County officials announced Wednesday that they have determined that the Don Guanella building is not suitable for mental health treatment in its current state.
“After receiving a more detailed report on the building this week, the county has determined that the building on the Delco Woods site is not a viable option (for long-term structural housing) based on its physical condition and the cost of renovation,” county officials said in a statement. “The county continues to evaluate other locations within Delaware County to treat local residents and address the community’s mental health crisis.”
Council hearings in recent months have been attended by many residents who oppose using the Delco Woods property for mental health services. Opposition has grown so much that Marple Township commissioners held a special hearing to potentially rezone the entire property as open space and ban the use of the school building. Delaware County has appealed the decision, taking Marple Township to court.
“The County intends to pursue other challenges to the zoning ordinance in order to maintain its rights to the land it purchased,” county officials said in a statement, “However, the County intends to work with Marple County to amend the open space zoning to avoid further litigation and ensure that the zoning of this land meets the County’s needs to create a park that will serve all of Delaware County for generations to come.”
A county spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment about alternative locations that might be considered for mental health services. In a statement, county officials said they continue to look for other uses for the three buildings on the Don Guanella Campus, which was built in 1960.
The idea of providing mental health services in the Delco Woods neighborhood has drawn pushback from residents who have spoken out at county council meetings in recent months, with some arguing the county would use the school building to house illegal immigrants, an idea the county has said is unfounded.
“Rumors and misinformation can fuel paranoia about immigrants, spread hatred and create fear. We urge residents to be cautious about rumors spreading on blogs and social media,” county officials said in March.
After the May meeting, Delaware Assemblywoman Elaine Paul Schafer described the residents in attendance as an “angry mob” hostile towards immigrants.
County officials said they have been lacking residential services for people with long-term chronic mental illnesses since Norristown State Hospital cut beds. The county identified a provider three years ago and has looked at more than 25 potential sites since then, but has yet to choose a location.
The Don Guanella School building was once used as a residential facility for children with special needs and then as a residential facility for adults. After the Archdiocese of Philadelphia closed the school in 2015, the land became the target of several developers looking to use it for residential and mixed-use projects. After those plans were not approved by Marple County, the county decided to purchase the woods and preserve them for public use.
Comprehensive planning for Delco Woods is still underway, with site surveys, survey work and community outreach ongoing, and the county has not yet announced a timeline for the park’s opening.
