Malin Station Historic Resource Impact Study

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Wise Preservation Planning LLC
   Main Office
      1480 Hilltop Road
      Chester Springs PA 19425
      Phone (484) 202-8187
 
   Northeast Pa. Office
      115 West 3rd Street, 2nd Floor
      Berwick PA 18603
      Phone (570) 218-4028

Wise Preservation Planning LLC is a full-service historic preservation planning firm. We research, document, analyze and ultimately help protect historic resources and our cultural landscape. Our firm serves a variety of clients, including municipalities, engineers, architects, historical societies, and owners of historic resources.

The firm was founded in 1997 by Robert J. Wise Jr., who has 20 years of experience in the historic preservation field. He is assisted by Seth Hinshaw, Senior Planner, who has been with the firm since 2001. Both planners have M.S. degrees in historic preservation from the University of Pennsylvania and exceed the 36 CFR 61 Professional Qualification Standards established by the National Park Service for architectural historians.

Overview

Wise Preservation Planning LLC completed a Historic Resource Impact Study for Malin Station, a planned 33-unit housing and condominium project to be developed by General Residential Properties, Inc., Exton, Pa. The project included a comprehensive field study, physical description, and historic narrative of the subject tract's historic resources, including the c. 1750 farmhouse, late 19th century immigrant housing, and the former Malin Railroad Station. The station and adjacent railroad support elements, including an iron bridge, stone bridge abutments and the station itself, were once part of the Chester Valley Railroad.
 
The railroad right-of-way is being redeveloped as part of the County's rails-to-trail system. The study recommended the retention of the tract's railroad elements, adjacent open space, and appropriate interpretive signage along the planned trail.
 
The Study enabled the East Whiteland Historical Commission and General Residential Properties to work together to promote land development that is site-appropriate and sensitive to the historic and natural elements of the tract. For example, the station was to be used as a clubhouse by the home owners, while the adjacent open space may be used as a picnic area for trail users. The large stone bridge abutments will be maintained as a focal point along the Chester Valley rail-to-trails system. The farmhouse, of course, will be preserved.