One of Pennsylvania’s wealthiest families has quietly bought up the heart of Gladwyne, a small town known for its history, charm, and community ties. Now, without a public vote or full transparency, a billionaire-backed development team is moving forward with plans to remake the village center in their own image.

Over the past several years, properties like the Gladwyne Market, the Village Shoppes, the Post Office, and surrounding homes have been acquired by interests connected to billionaire Jeff Yass. Now, a polished redevelopment plan has been unveiled, designed by a private firm and guided by private capital.

The developers claim this is a philanthropic act rooted in preservation, but long-standing tenants have already been displaced, rents have increased, and the future of public services remains unclear.

This is not just a design issue. It is a question of who gets to shape a town’s future and whether residents have any say at all.

We are calling on the Lower Merion Township Board of Commissioners and relevant planning authorities to:

• Pause any further approvals related to the Gladwyne village center redevelopment
• Require a full public hearing and public comment period before advancing the plan
• Pass new protections to prevent private ownership from consolidating control of town centers without community oversight
• Implement zoning safeguards to preserve Gladwyne’s identity and protect legacy small businesses from displacement

Residents deserve a say before their town is transformed. No one family, no matter how wealthy, should unilaterally control the civic and commercial core of a historic Pennsylvania community.

Sign this petition to demand that Lower Merion Township stop the private takeover of Gladwyne’s public life and ensure local voices shape its future.