Two restaurants and two retail shops will be constructed next to the Oxford Valley Mall property.
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The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors on Monday evening granted preliminary and final land development for a developer to construct the three buildings at the site of the former Bally Total Fitness on Middletown Boulevard and a connected parking lot off East Lincoln Highway.
The approved plans are for a 5,920-square-foot retail space and a neighboring 5,600-square-foot restaurant in the area where the former gym stood. A courtyard would connect the two spaces. Closer to East Lincoln Highway, a 6,345-square-foot building that would be split between retail and a restaurant with a drive-thru lane will be constructed.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Ed Murphy, the attorney for the project, said no tenants have been signed for the site, but there are several who are interested in the site.
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The site will receive stormwater improvements, a sidewalk, and a pedestrian connection to the nearby complex that is bringing more than 600 upscale apartments to the mall, said Justin Geonnotti, an engineer for the project.
Murphy explained the township pushed for pedestrian improvements that were incorporated in the plan and the developer will contribute $60,000 to the township for off-site pedestrian projects. He stated there are talks to create a signalized pedestrian crossing.
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The developer has received waivers for the amount of trees they have to plant and for the driveways that enter and exit onto Middletown Boulevard and East Lincoln Highway.
Geonnotti said the plan calls for adding a bit more greenery to the site, but not dramatically reducing impervious surface.
Murphy said the three buildings would be tied together by their parking lots.
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Construction is expected to begin in the middle of next year and be completed in 2024.
The circa-1980s gym building that stood at the site was demolished last summer.
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County property records show the site was sold by Fitness International LLC, which owns the LA Fitness chain, to Northampton Township-based Rusden Properties LLC in March 2018 for $750,000.
While the redevelopment at the abutting site isn’t being carried out by mall owner Simon Property Group, the company has sought a larger redevelopment of the complex.
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