For several years now, it’s
been impossible to drive
down Sycamore Street in
Newtown without noticing
the eyesore that was the former
Acme grocery store.
Yet a group of contractors
purchased the lot in 2006
promising residential condos
and places to shop named
“The Promenade” in the heart
of a town that prides itself on
being a colonial shopping
district. “It is our understanding
that the building will be
completed and ready for occupancy
in late 2013,” said
Shawn Ward, president of the
Sycamore Street Community
Association.
With the demolition of the
run-down building on Sept.
22, residents could finally see
progress after over a decade
of inactivity at the old Acme
sight.
In 2001 the Acme store was
relocated to the shopping
center next to Durham Road
and the Newtown Bypass due
to competition from Genuardi’s,
which has since been
bought out by McCaffrey’s,
according to Ward.
“I am glad that the old Acme
building has been taken
down. It was both an eyesore
and a hazard to the community.
I look forward to all development
on Sycamore
Street which will expand the
business district,” said Dennis
O’Brien, mayor of Newtown
Borough.
The Promenade plans to
feature multiple luxury apartments
also headlined by a
business named Anthropologie,
which specializes in
women’s clothing and accessories.
“The second and third floors
will offer carefree and luxury
condo living to discerning
residents who will benefit
from an elegant lifestyle in
an extraordinary location –
with the best shopping,
restaurants and cafes all
within walking distance
within beautiful and downtown
Newtown Borough,”
according to The Promenade’s
website,
http://www.newtownpromenade.
com.
However, no liquor will be
sold on the property, due to
township regulations. It will
rest right next to the Goodnoe’s
Corner which features
restaurants like The Green
Parrot as well as the titular
Goodnoe Farm Dairy Bar.
Newtown Township supervisor
Jay Sensibaugh and
Ward expect an increase in
consumers and traffic. “Highend
retail users such as Anthropologie
are expected to
occupy the retail space and
will attract a solid consumer
base (with the help of) The
Promenade in addition to
Goodnoe’s Corner and the
development of the former
Stockburger Chrysler,” Ward
said.
keeping up with the colonial
style of Newtown was a
necessity, and Sensibaugh believes,
“good community
planning tries to anticipate
the needs of the community.”
On Sept. 16, 2002, Newtown
township supervisors
began discussing a redevelopment
plan for the property,
which featured public input
and designs for the site,
termed the “Acme visioning
Committee.”
The committee ultimately
came up with a 9-point recommendation
to be followed
by the board of supervisors
and subsequent contractors:
• Demolish the existing
building
• Clean up the site
• The south should protect
the Historic Newtown Presbyterian
Church
• Future development of the
site should be of a mixed use
• The commercial, office and
residential uses should be accomplished
in a blend of architectural
styles typical of
the late 18th and 19th centuries
• The developer should include
a signature-type attraction
of a commercial,
recreational or architectural
nature which will bring to the
site a unique identity
• The supervisors should encourage
the development of a
multilevel structure or structures
and grant relief from
the maximum 30-foot height
requirement
• Create a street-scape by
placing the building to the
forward edge of the property
with parking in the rear
• Construct the site in a
pedestrian-friendly manner in
keeping with the Sycamore
Street Project
Sensibaugh explained that
supervisors presented their
idea for the property in 2003,
after it was acquired by the
County and Township Redevelopment
Authority.
The authority sold the property
to developer elliot
Building Group, yet the
group presented the supervisors
with a plan “that had not
incorporated all visioning the
committee wanted and did
not meet zoning for the site,”
Sensibaugh said.
Despite the resistance from
township supervisors the
group proceeded with construction.
unfortunately the 2008 recession
hit the construction
industry hard, which led to
the elliot Group filing for
bankruptcy.
The property was eventually
acquired by McGrath Homes
Inc. that year, after the group
met with supervisors to discuss
their plan for the property.
Yet, due to the recession
the township was unable to
loan funds to McGrath for
the project. Also, the lot itself
lost value as leasers were
wary to the idea of placing a
business there.
“Potential leasers of the
spaces either backed away
from the project or delayed
their desire to proceed immediately.
Financially, this investor
group (McGrath) had
to reorganize with some
changes in the investors,”
Sensibaugh said.
Reorganizing by recruiting
more investors, including
Newtown Athletic Club
owner Jim Worthington, they
revised their
plan to include 20,000 feet of
retail space along with 26
residential apartments. The
Promenade was finally born.
This was all approved in
August 2011, with the township
finally having money to
borrow for construction on
The Promenade.
Some of the changes that
didn’t make the cut included
an underground parking lot,
as well as reducing the overall
size of the property itself.
Other ideas included an ice
rink similar to that of the
Rockefeller Center in New
York City, as well as a chain
bookstore, according to
Ward.
“The issue is a complicated
one which has as many twists
and turns as the Schuylkill
River,” Sensibaugh said.
But finally after years of
waiting residents and consumers
now have another
reason to come to Newtown.
For renting information
please contact 267-972-3637.
Business inquiries can be
reached at 610-834-8000.