Credit: Ingrid Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
Phase II of the Steeple View mixed-use development project that is transforming a portion of Newtown Borough has been granted preliminary plan approval by Newtown Borough Council.
The council voted 5-1 to a approve preliminary plan that will include 11 mixed-use buildings, a parking garage and public spaces being constructed on eight acres between South State Street, Centre Avenue and the Newtown Creek. Council member Bob King voted the lone dissenting vote against second phase of the Steeple View development.
Developer Allan Smith and attorney Tim Duffy told the public at Monday’s special meeting that the roughly $100 million construction project will include a $14 million investment that includes a public piazza, a central plaza, proposed walking bridge over the Newtown Creek, walking paths on a greenway and a bird sanctuary featuring an old barn.
The plans for the site include adding a 429-spot parking garage that will help accommodate the expected influx of residents, shoppers and sightseers. Also included is the demolition of 10 Centre Avenue, the building that currently houses the Fine Wine and Good Spirits store and Newtown Beer.
Several variances and waivers for the project were discussed. In addition, Smith made it clear he had complied with many of the requests various borough representatives have raised to him.
King outlined his reasoning for voting against the plan. He said he didn’t agree with the changes to the plans for three of the multi-level buildings. The five-story (four stories residential) buildings that will have an additional parking area beneath will be constructed higher than originally planned because a high water table prevents burying a portion of the ground-floor parking garage.
Duffy made it clear that moving the building up to raise the parking area from being partly buried would still comply with the borough’s zoning laws. “This is not this huge monstrosity,” he said.
Smith told the public that to include $14 million in public improvements, he needs to sell all the condominiums proposed in the Steeple View project to keep the project financially viable.
The front of Steeple View Phase I earlier this month.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
Some council members expressed optimism that the project would improve the already desirable borough.
“No one likes to see taxes get raised. This is an opportunity to increase revenues,” Council President Bob Walker said.
Phase I of the project which is currently under construction along South State Street will house retail stores and 10 custom condominiums that overlook Newtown.
Smith has been working on Steeple View for the past six years.
