Community Corner

Understanding the Economic Value of Open Space

On Tuesday, DVRPC representatives gave an open space presentation at Franklin Commons.

Township supervisors, borough council members, local and regional planners and members of the public packed into the Franklin Commons conference room Tuesday.

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) hosted an outreach event in Phoenixville on “Return on Environment: The Economic Value of Protected Open Space in Southeastern Pennsylvania.” After dinner and networking, attendees gathered for a presentation by Patty Elkis, associate director of planning at DVRPC.

While the discussion following the presentation sometimes swayed from the matter at hand and was at times passionate and even a bit contentious, DVRPC representatives pulled it back on track. Elkis, who’s given the presentation five to 10 times in the past, including before the county commissioners in Harrisburg Tuesday morning, said she hadn’t received a response like that before. Many times, people have questions on the study, however.

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The study is the first time data was collected on open space and its economic value in southeastern Pennsylvania. It shows the effects, in dollars, on real estate value, jobs, local spending, health and the environment.

“This information has never been collected before,” Elkis said.

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The study shows that open space can add value to homes. Protected open space adds $16.3 billion to the value of homes in the area, and higher assessed values mean more money going to municipalities and school districts through property taxes. Open space generates $240 million per year in property tax revenues, according to DVRPC.

“We can’t afford not to protect our region’s open space,” a booklet on the study states. “These places are assets that are essential to our health, our economy and our future.”

The presentation prompted questions on eminent domain, federal funding, conservation easements and the importance of amenities on open space areas. DVRPC representatives noted that the commission exists to help funnel funds to the region for planning across a nine-county region encompassing southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.

While they can make recommendations and do studies, they have no final say and are a neutral body. Many of the plans are carried out at a local level, such as the municipalities in the area that put open space referendums on ballots.

In her presentation to the county commissioners from across the state Tuesday morning, Elkis said the commissioners were receptive and “hungry” for the information the study provided. It backs up what was always suspected, she explained, when it comes to open space and economic impact.

To view information on the study, see the DVRPC page on “Return on Environment.” For the study, DVRPC teamed up with the GreenSpace Alliance.


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