Final Plans Finally Approved

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, Pa. -- More than a decade after headlines announced a major undertaking was proposed in this charming Bucks County town, the big news today is this about the long-pursued venture that would be the largest in town history with residential, retail and restaurant establishments: Final Approval Granted.

By a 5-1 vote, Newtown Borough Council recently gave thumbs up to final plans for the Steeple View redevelopment project – an endeavor that remakes nine acres from Centre Avenue behind Starbucks south to the former Stockburger property. The tract will become home to four residential and three mixed-use buildings, totaling 75 to 88 apartments and 12,000-square-feet of retail and restaurant space.

The project includes amenities like a public piazza as a gathering place for town events, a pedestrian bridge at the southern end linking the borough and Newtown Township at Carl Sedia Park, and a greenway and walkway along the Newtown Creek from Centre Avenue south to the planned pedestrian bridge.

The piazza is to be built on Centre Avenue by the Newtown Creek and across from the First National Bank Annex building, and include features like a water display, fireplace and seating. Additionally, a barn that had been on the Stockburger property is to be rebuilt and used for parking on the first floor and HOA events on an upper level.

The mixed-use Traditional Neighborhood plan, by developer Allan Smith, could be completed in two to three years.

While conclusion of plans for the pedestrian bridge between the two municipalities is pending, other details are known, like that of a three-story mixed-use building to be constructed behind Starbucks and house retail space on the first level and residential units on the upper two floors.

A three-story mixed-use structure with restaurant use on the first floor and living units on the upper levels is to be built along Newtown Creek off Centre Avenue near the site of the former Wine and Spirits store. The building is to frame the public piazza.

The project also sees four new three-story residential structures at the southern end of the tract.

The sole vote against the redevelopment project was cast by Councilor Bob Szwajkos. He objected, he said, because a parking garage was removed from plans originally approved in 2016.

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A major redevelopment project has been OK'd in Newtown Borough, Pa.Photo byÜmit YıldırımonUnsplash