What's Ahead In 2025? Steeple View Could Break Ground In Newtown

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The second phase of the Steeple View redevelopment project could break ground as early as the second quarter of this year, although borough officials said later in the year is more likely.

"It's in process," said borough engineer Michelle Fountain, who has been working behind the scenes with developer Allan Smith. "Remember, they have 39 conditions they have to meet. They have been working through that. They're pushing hard."

After years of discussions, reviews, approvals, and revisions, the borough council in Dec. 2023 voted to approve revised final plans for the mixed-use Traditional Neighborhood Development with a list of 39 conditions.

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

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

• A three-story mixed-use building behind Starbucks with retail on the first floor and residential living units on the upper floors.
• A three-story mixed-use building next to Newtown Creek off of Centre Avenue and roughly in the location of the former Wine and Spirits store building. It would house a restaurant use on the first floor and residential living units on the upper floors and it would frame the public piazza.
• Four new three-story residential buildings at the southern end of the property.

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 former home of the Newtown Beer Store and the Fine Wine and Good Spirits store off of Centre Avenue will be torn down to make way for the Steeple View project. It had once housed an A&P Grocery Store. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The first phase of the Steeple View redevelopment project included the construction of the new Wine and Spirits store on South State Street at the site of the former Stockburger car dealership. The building also houses luxury apartments and Mamie Colette. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

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

• A public piazza, or community gathering place, to be created on Centre Avenue next to the Newtown Creek and across from the First National Bank Annex building. It will include a public gathering place with outdoor seating, a fireplace and a water element.
• A greenway trail extending along the Newtown Creek from Centre Avenue to the southern end of the former Stockburger property.
• A new pedestrian bridge to be built at the southern end of the creek walk connecting the borough to Newtown Township at Carl Sedia Park. The bridge project will need the approval of the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors before it can move forward.
• A barn that was dismantled at the former Stockburger property will be rebuilt in the main Steeple View parking area. The first floor will house a garage while the upper floor will be converted into a community room that would be available for public use through the Steeple View HOA.