Lower Merion School District has voted to exercise its right of eminent domain on two properties in Villanova for future athletic fields, writes Natalie Kostelni for Philadelphia Business Journal.

The school district began negotiations for the properties last summer. Then they learned that the owners of the 10.4-acre parcel at 1835 County Line Road and 3-acre parcel at 1800 W. Montgomery Avenue had executed agreements of sale with Villanova University.

“Earlier this fall, although the sellers had indicated the district offers were basically acceptable with minor revisions, the agreements of sale were never returned to the district,” said the school district in a statement. “The district later learned the sellers had executed agreements of sale with Villanova University.”

This prompted the school district to act to gain control of the two properties.

Now the school district will pay $9.95 million for the 10.4-acre property and $2.96 million for the 3-acre property.

“These combined sites are the best available choice for fields for the 21st-century middle school that the district is planning for 1860 Montgomery Ave,” said the school district.

Read more about the decision at Philadelphia Business Journal by clicking here.