Home Care In Newtown, PA

Mixed-use development will bring up to 88 new apartments and 12,000 square feet of new retail/restaurant space to Newtown.

Patch Staff

Posted Thu, Dec 14, 2023 at 2:48 am ET|

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — After years of discussions, reviews, approvals, and revisions, the second phase of the Steeple View redevelopment project is a go.

On Tuesday night, after three hours of discussion, the Newtown Borough Council voted 5 to 1 to approve revised final plans for the mixed-use Traditional Neighborhood Development that will change the face of the borough.

Voting in favor of the plan were Council President Tara Grunde-McLaughlin and Councilors Emily Heinz, Maryellen Raymond, Kris Bauman and Dennis O'Brien. Voting against approval was Councilor Bob Szwajkos.

The updated project will redevelop a nine-acre swath of land stretching from Centre Avenue behind the Starbucks south to the former Stockburger property with seven new buildings - four residential and three mixed-use - bringing between 75 and 88 new apartments to the borough and roughly 12,000 square feet of new retail and restaurant space.

The project will also include several public amenities including a public piazza designed as a gathering place for town events; a pedestrian bridge at the southern end of the property linking the borough and the township at Carl Sedia Park; and a formalized greenway/walkway along the Newtown Creek from Centre Avenue south to the proposed pedestrian bridge.

Find out what's happening in Newtownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Developer Allan Smith said after the meeting while he's looking forward to events on the piazza, "there is still a lot of work to do before we can start (construction).

"Now that we have approval we will start on the architectural drawings, which take time," continued Smith. "Arranging financing in the current interest rate environment is also time-consuming, but I’d like to think we will be able to walk across the pedestrian bridge in the next 30 months."

This shows the development site. The brown building in the lower center is the Wine and Spirits Store fronting on South State Street. The four new residential buildings are depicted in green in the upper left. Above that is the location of the proposed pedestrian bridge. The light green buildings at the right center are two new mixed use residential, retail and restaurant uses. The light brown colored area is the entrance to the development site and the piazza

The pedestrian bridge has been deferred to the later stages of the project.

In the meantime, Smith and his team of professionals will be seeking the approval of the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors to move forward with the bridge project. They'll also be working to secure the proper permitting from the state.

Prior to the vote, Councilor Kris Bauman peppered the developer's attorney on a number of issues, including the design of the parking area and the proposed pedestrian bridge.

Regarding the pedestrian bridge, Bauman voiced concern that if the township says no to the project, the borough will be left with a greenway trail that stops at the end of the property.

"Since they were prepared to build the bridge, would they be prepared to work with us on an alternate open space improvement that would be available to its residents and everybody else in the event the bridge doesn't happen," he asked.

"The short answer is no," replied the developer's attorney Tim Duffy. "This is what we proposed. In our view the borough is getting this piazza for free that will cost millions of dollars to build. The restoration and construction of the greenway is something that would not exist if we were not going to put that in.

"From day one," said Duffy, "everyone has known you can't build a bridge that only has one side to it. It has to lead somewhere. We would love for it to go in. All indications are that the majority of the township still supports it," he said. "I don't know why they wouldn't."

Bauman also raised concern with the configuration of the main parking lot asking that the developer consider redesigning the parking area to be more efficient, safer and easier for motorists to circulate through and find a parking space.

"It's beyond me why we would design a parking lot that's inefficient and unsafe when it can be both efficient and safe," said Bauman.

Duffy responded, "We have qualified engineers who have reviewed this and all of them support this," he said. "They don't find the deficiencies that you have and none of our engineers identified these efficiencies."

Parking and traffic circulation were also on the mind of Szwajkos, who cast the lone vote against the project. He objected to the plan over the removal of a proposed parking garage that had been part of the original plan approved in 2016.

"Because of the elimination of the parking garage now parking has moved off site and we're going to get all the congestion and traffic rerouting as a result. You'll be creating problems on our streets. Don't tell me we got the benefit of the bargain. We didn't," he told the developer.

Under the Steeple View plan, seven new buildings will be constructed, including:

In addition, the project includes a new three-story mixed-use retail and residential use building be located to the south of the current Wine and Spirits Store on South State Street. Under the current plan, the new building next to the Wine and Spirits store would be held in abeyance and used for public parking while the balance of the project is developed.

The Steeple View project also incorporates a number of public amenities, including:

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Guru's Fine Indian Cuisine located at North Sycamore and Jefferson Streets is on the market.

SVN Commercial Real Estate confirmed that it is entertaining offers for the nearly 6,000-square-foot restaurant and liquor license from potential investors, buyers, and developers.

The owners of the property, Priya and Ashni Guru, closed their popular restaurant earlier this month to travel to India to finalize the adoption of two girls in India. When they left, Priya said they had hoped to return in the spring to reopen, but added that it would depend upon how long the adoption process would take.

"They will ultimately be back for sure. It's more of a question of when," said Chichi Ahia a broker from SVN, a national commercial real estate company that the couple has engaged "to explore options" for the business and real estate.

Guru's Fine Indian Cuisine in Newtown. (SVN Commercial Real Estate)

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Inside the dining area at Guru's. (SVN Commercial Real Estate)

The bar area inside the restaurant. (SVN Commercial Real Estate)

"Their goal is to keep all of their options open while there is uncertainty with the adoption process," said Ahia. "If they are not back in a timely enough fashion to continue operations they are committed to making sure something good for the neighborhood moves in," he said.

"They may come back and operate it. They may sell it. Right now they want to explore all their options especially not knowing how long the adoption is going to take," said Ahia.

"We're involved to help them," added Ahia. "We're sympathetic to their goals about the children they are hoping to adopt. We're here to support their ability to figure out all the other pieces while they pursue that," he said.

The property, which is being marketed around the world through the SVN network, is currently fit out as a restaurant space with seating for 140+ patrons indoors with additional outside dining available on a wraparound porch.

Originally built in 1796 and expanded over time, the free-standing building measures approximately 5,900 square feet which is comprised of the restaurant space and two apartments The building also has substantial space in the lower level (basement) which currently serves the restaurant operation, said Ahia.

Investors have several options with the property, said Ahia. "Someone can purchase the real estate with the liquor license and potentially operate a different restaurant concept from there. We're also talking to investors who could potentially purchase the property with a liquor license and then lease it to another restaurant operation.

"Because of the location, developers may have interest in the property but our first focus is to find another business that can occupy the space and bring something to the neighborhood," he added. "Priya is pretty focused on making sure the neighborhood is preserved."

Ahia added that while the property is currently built out as a restaurant use, they are open to investors who are looking to do something different with the property. "We're willing to entertain any conversation," he said.

"This is a very rare and unique opportunity in Newtown," said Ahia.

Another view inside Guru's. (SVN Commercial Real Estate)

HARRISBURG, PA — Bucks County state lawmaker Perry Warren, of Newtown, is calling for the state to update insurance laws to expand coverage for colonoscopies.

Warren, on Tuesday, joined State Reps. Pat Gallagher and Tarik Khan, both of Philadelphia, to introduce legislation that would update the laws while also raising colon cancer awareness.

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths even though it is a very treatable form of cancer when caught early. When detected in its earliest stages, the five-year survival rate can be as high as 90 percent.

The legislators said their bill would update Pennsylvania’s Insurance Company Law to reduce the age when colorectal cancer screenings are covered to 45 from 50.

Warren, who sits on the House Insurance Committee, related that he had a close family member who was tested early and was detected with colon cancer shortly after their 50th birthday.

Find out what's happening in Newtownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"They had the benefit of working at a hospital and were able to make that appointment right on their 50th birthday and get immediate lifesaving treatment," said Warren. "But a lot of heartache, physical pain, and cost would have been saved had that person been able to have a colonoscopy at age 45 and perhaps it may not have even reached the stage of having colon cancer."

Current law requires health insurance coverage for routine colorectal cancer screenings starting at age 50 based on American Cancer Society standards published in 2008.

Multiple other states have updated their law to reflect more recent American Cancer Society guidelines from 2018. The updated recommendations call for people to begin screening at age 45 rather than 50.

"Let's raise awareness. Let's make this bill law," said Warren. "Let's have colonoscopies available to people at the age of 45 and as needed thereafter without prior authorizations so people know to make appointments to avoid the pain and the trauma other people have gone through."

Gallagher, who is a colorectal cancer survivor, said the legislation could result in more early detections and ultimately save lives.

“As a survivor of colorectal cancer, I know firsthand the impact that early detection and proper care can have on an individual's journey through the labyrinth of cancer,” Gallagher said. “This legislation is not just about updating insurance coverage; it's about saving lives and ensuring that no one has to face the challenges of colorectal cancer alone and that every Pennsylvanian, regardless of their circumstances, can access the screenings that could make all the difference.”

Khan, who serves as a nurse practitioner, said he encourages all his patients to get screenings.

“As a nurse practitioner, I encourage all my patients who qualify to get colon cancer screenings,” he said. “In fact, I even filmed myself getting a colonoscopy to increase awareness of this life-saving procedure. Tactics by insurance companies like prior authorizations and ‘advanced notice’ add needless barriers for patients. Our bill addresses these unnecessary obstacles for patients to access these important screenings.”

The legislators were joined by Dr. Benjamin Abella, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine; Anna Payne, a stage four colon cancer patient and a Middletown Township Supervisor; and Kim Hall-Jackson, a survivor of colorectal cancer and an advocate.

Payne thanked the lawmakers for introducing "this important and lifesaving legislation. Many of us, including myself, didn't think colon cancer was something you were at risk for until you were 50 years of age or older. I'm here to tell you that is not the case. Colon cancer is on the rise among young people, so much so that the age for screenings was recently lowered from 50 to 45.

"This legislation will ensure that people will be able to access a colonoscopy at age 45 with ease, cutting through the red tape and pre-authorizations that only delay a patient's ability to get screened," she said.

"I was diagnosed with stage four at age 34," said Payne. "There is no higher stage. It silently lived inside of me without me knowing it. I had over 10 spots on my liver alone when I was diagnosed and it took me a four day hospital stay to get that diagnosis. This is why colon cancer is considered a silent killer. It went undetected for years inside of me until stage four.

"Unfortunately, when cases are found in those of us below the screening age the cancer is usually found at a late stage," she continued. "When it is found at a later stage, especially stage four, there is only a 14 percent chance that that person will still be alive five years after diagnosis. I'm still hoping I beat that statistic.

"Finding it early is paramount to survival," said Payne. "When found early it is one of the most treatable cancers. Until the screening age is lowered, we have to be our own advocates. So I'm asking you, talk to your family and your friends and make sure if they are over the age of 45 they get screened. And if they are younger, help educate them about their elevated risk. I'm grateful for this legislation because I know it will save the lives of Pennsylvanians and I know it will allow people who are considered higher risk to have access to a life saving colonoscopy."

The project is designed to provide a safe, recreational connection across Newtown Creek and fill a missing link in the local trail system.

Patch Staff

|Updated Thu, Nov 30, 2023 at 11:06 am ET

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — Newtown Township has officially submitted a grant application to the state that if successful would pay for the construction of a new pedestrian bridge over the Newtown Creek linking the borough and the township.

Earlier this month, the township, working in partnership with Newtown Borough and the Newtown Creek Coalition, submitted the application to the Commonwealth Financing Authority's Local Share Account Grant Program for just under $1 million to fund the entire project.

The new span would be built next to a former bridge that once carried trolleys over the creek in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It would connect Newtown Borough at Frost Lane and Edgeboro Drive with North Sycamore Street in the township behind Penn Community Bank.

In addition to the new bridge, the grant would fund pedestrian links from the new bridge to existing sidewalks on either side of the span.

A rare view of the former trolley bridge crossing the Newtown Creek. (Contributed)

Find out what's happening in Newtownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Newtown Creek Coalition President Mike Sellers said he's optimistic that the grant application will be successful given the unique partnership put together between the borough, the township, and the coalition.

"Usually it's just one municipality going after a grant. This is two municipalities plus a nonprofit," said Sellers. "We believe we have put together a grant application that will stand out from the others.

"On the merits of the application itself, I also believe we make a solid case because we have submitted a soup-to-nuts project, which will be totally constructed and useful if we get what we are asking for," said Sellers.

The project also has the backing and support of State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, State Rep. Perry Warren, the Bucks County Commissioners, the Bucks County Planning Commission, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, the Heritage Conservancy, the Newtown Historical Association, the borough and township planning commissions, and the Central Bucks Bicycle Club.

"In terms of timeline, we would expect to hear mid-2024," said Sellers. "If the grant is approved, then we go forward with more planning and permitting and then there would be construction and completion in 2025."

The project is designed to provide a safe, recreational connection across Newtown Creek, fill in a missing link in the local and Bucks County trail system, and provide a safer alternative for walkers and bikers to cross the creek.

The idea of a pedestrian bridge was first broached at a meeting of the Newtown Borough Creek Coalition in 2010. "We started talking about ways to get safely across the creek and began looking at the possibility of repurposing the old trolley line bridge as a pedestrian crossing," said Sellers.

“There is no safe pedestrian crossing anywhere along the creek as it exists,” said Sellers.

Remnants of the old trolley bridge. (Contributed)

Up until 2016, residents had the option of crossing the creek using a pedestrian bridge located off of North State Street. That bridge, however, located on private property was shut down after it fell into disrepair and became a liability for the property owner.

Pedestrians also have the option of crossing at the two existing bridges - one owned by the county on Jefferson and the other owned by the state at Centre Avenue.

But Sellers called the spans problematic for safe pedestrian crossing, noting that both only have a walkway on one side, which makes two-way pedestrian traffic a challenge with baby strollers and larger groups of pedestrians.

And Sellers said retrofitting either bridge with a second sidewalk to create a safer condition would be a “tremendous struggle.

“The good news is pedestrians can cross in some fashion. The bad news is it is particularly difficult for bikers, walkers and strollers to get across the creek,” said Sellers.

The trolley line was discontinued in 1923. It had once traversed Penn Street and State Street before crossing the creek at Frost Lane and continuing its journey to Doylestown.

“The footbridge would create a safe recreational pedestrian connection between the township and the borough,” said Sellers.

A map showing the location of the proposed pedestrian bridge.

Just before COVID hit, the coalition had approached the township and the borough with the idea of creating the new pedestrian crossing and working in partnership to bring the project to fruition. They also proposed a grant application that would require a municipal match.

In late 2019, just months before the pandemic, the township supervisors and the borough council approved resolutions supporting the concept and working with each other and the Newtown Creek Coalition to explore the feasibility of the project.

When COVID hit in early 2020, the project fell by the wayside as local officials dealt with more pressing matters. The coalition, however, continued to investigate the project behind the scenes.

The one positive that came out of the pandemic, said Sellers, is that changes to the grant specifications allowed the coalition to pursue 100 percent grant funding for the project without a municipal match.

In late 2022, Sellers and the creek coalition resurrected the idea with another round of appearances before the board of supervisors and the borough council. This time the coalition proposed securing a grant that would pay for the entire project with no municipal match.

Earlier this year, both municipalities authorized their engineers to begin working together on the project and to pursue the grant opportunity. And in the past few months, Newtown Borough Council and the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors approved resolutions supporting the grant application.

In addition to the Frost Lane Road bridge, developer Allan Smith has proposed building a second pedestrian bridge on the southern end of the borough that would provide a pedestrian link from his Steeple View project to Carl Sedia Park in Newtown Township.

"To have book-end bridges like that would really help pedestrians from getting from one side of the creek to the other," said Sellers. "We'd have one at the north and one at the south. It would create a nice circulation at each end of State Street and each end of Sycamore."

NEWTOWN, PA — Major renovations are officially underway to transform the former Pier One Imports store into the nation’s newest Capital Grille at the Village at Newtown shopping center.

Earlier this month, crews erected a construction fence around the outside of the building to protect the public while the space is renovated..

The exclusive upscale fine dining restaurant and steakhouse is scheduled to open in late summer in Newtown Township. It will be its first outside a highly urbanized metropolitan area.

A layout of the future restaurant submitted as part of the conditional use application shows a reception area opening up to a main dining room, three private dining rooms, and a horseshoe bar surrounded by individual tables. The layout also depicts six tables on an outside patio on the Eagle Road side of the building.

The new 8,000 square foot, 236-seat restaurant will be the first Capital Grille in Bucks County and the fourth in Pennsylvania. The Capital Grille’s other Pennsylvania locations are in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and King of Prussia.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

(Photo by Jeff Werner)

"It’s a ringing endorsement for a municipality to be chosen by Capitol Grille for a restaurant," said Capital Grille's liquor license attorney Mark Kozar last June during a conditional use hearing for the restaurant. He added that the township would be joining a very exclusive club of municipalities to host the restaurant.

"Capital Grille is Darden's flagship restaurant. Darden is very selective as to where it opens a Capital Grille," said Kozar. "There are only 63 nationwide. Compare that to 884 Olive Gardens nationwide," he said of Darden's other brand restaurant.

The Capital Grille, which opened its first restaurant in Providence, Rhode Island in 1990, is best known for its expertly prepared steaks, which are dry-aged in-house for 18 to 24 days and then hand-cut by the restaurant's on-premise butcher.

“The food is made from exceptional ingredients, artfully prepared. It is our sole desire that everything, and we mean everything, that arrives at your table at The Capital Grille delights you," says the restaurant's website. "To ensure that experience, we use only the finest, freshest ingredients, artfully prepared in recipes designed to engage all of your senses.”

The Capital Grille's wine list features more than 350 selections, and its floor-to-ceiling wine kiosk regularly houses between 3,500 and 5,000 bottles.

“From the moment you step into The Capital Grille, the experience is one of comfortable elegance,” says the website. “African Mahogany paneling and art deco chandeliers provide a warm, stately setting for our nationally renowned dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood, and acclaimed world-class wines. With service as gracious as it is attentive, we look forward to impressing you.”