Doylestown Approves Plans For Former Intelligencer Property

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Doylestown Borough Council has unanimously approved a developer's plans to build more than 200 apartments, commercial space and a parking garage at 333 N. Broad St, the former site of the Intelligencer newspaper building.

The project is the result of a partnership between Calkins Investment Company, which retained ownership of the property after Calkins Media sold The Intelligencer and Bucks County Courier Times newspapers to Gatehouse Media in 2017, and Philadelphia-based real estate developer Cornerstone Tracy, LLC.

Where once was an unassuming one-story brick building used for the printing and distribution of the Intelligencer newspaper will soon be two high-rise apartment buildings — outfitted for commercial or retail use on the first floor — and a parking garage. In total, 233 apartments and three retail uses will be on the site.

The Doylestown Planning Commission recommended approval of the project in a 4-1 vote at its March meeting. Commission member Heather Mahaley was the only dissenting voter, citing concerns about the affordability of the apartments and their impact on traffic.

Part of the project will involve traffic improvements in the area, including the addition of a traffic light at the Broad Street and Atkinson Drive intersection, and the development of a 1-acre park that will be open for public use. Cornerstone Tracy has said the apartments will be "market rate."

Prior to Monday's vote, borough council approved an ordinance creating a Zoning Overlay District for the Broad Street Gateway Overlay District, which allows for mixed use projects and other expanded uses in that area.

The approval of the 333 N. Broad St. project comes as local planners consider whether or not to recommend approval of Arcadia Land Company's plans for apartments and commercial space at nearby 280 N. Broad St. That property is split between the borough and Doylestown Township, which means the project will need approval from both municipalities.

Be the first to know what's happening in your town and area. Sign up to get Patch emails and don't miss a minute of local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe