After listening to the development plans for the Flats from Iacobucci Homes and JED Development, the Coatesville Redevelopment Authority board members indicated they would be willing to reconvene and vote on a proposal earlier than their regularly scheduled meeting next month.

Iacobucci wants to build 112 townhouses on the north end of the Flats and use the south end for commercial development anchored by a restaurant with outdoor dining.

JED Development is only interested in the 10-acre portion south of the railroad arches, and another two acre piece across West Lincoln Highway.

From Tuesday's story:

Joe Jesuele, one of the founders of JEB Development, told the RDA all of its projects are joint ventures.

During Jesuele’s presentation describing plans for a shopping center anchored by a grocery store, he said Coatesville’s population, proximity to other supermarkets, the size of the Flats and the finance of the city’s residents all made it unlikely that his company would be able to attract a larger chain grocer, like Acme, Shoprite or Wegman’s.

Instead, he said, it is more realistic that the city pursue one of the discount, no-frills chains like Aldi or Save-a-Lot, which have a “lower price point than a Wegman’s and Giant, and they are going to be serving the blue-collar, working-class people.”

“We truly feel there is a need for a grocery store in Coatesville,” Jesuele said. “We are hoping there is a want for a grocery store in Coatesville.”

The RDA's board and City Council must approve a plan before the RDA can go forward with selling the property.

My DLN colleague Danielle Lynch filled in and covered Monday night's CASD board meeting where members passed the preliminary version of the 2008-2009 budget (by a vote of 7-2), which calls for a 3.11 percent tax increase, and the district's plans to eliminate Gordon Elementary School (by a vote of 8-1).

From Tuesday's story:

School Board President Donna Urban said that the district has the second lowest proposed tax increase in the county. Urban noted the elementary school renovation was not planned because the school district is in financial trouble. She said the district is slowly raising taxes now to avoid a large tax increase later.

“I’m really having a hard time with the tax increase,” said school board member Robert Knecht, who voted against the preliminary budget.

Diana Brownfield also voted against the preliminary budget and was the only board member to vote against plans to renovate the elementary school into an education center.

“In my eyes, Gordon is the little school that could,” said Brownfield. “It’s the heart of the district.”

CASD's proposed budget is balanced at $135.8 million and includes a plan to disperse Gordon's students among CASD's other six elementary schools. The building would then house the district's special education center.

CASD officials have estimated that move would save the district more than $2 million.