Old Acme to be Reduced to Rubble in Coming Weeks
The demolition of the old Acme building on Sycamore Street will start with a party on Sept. 22. It's an event that has been years in the making.
The dilapidated former Acme on Sycamore Street is expected to be reduced to a pile of rubble in the coming weeks as demolition of the structure will begin on Sept. 22.
The demolition will be the first step toward construction of the The Promenade, a mixed-use retail and residential development, that will anchor the site.
When the wrecking ball strikes the brick walls of the former grocery store there will be a celebration, Jim Worthington said Friday afternoon. Worthington is a managing partner for The Promenade.
The demolition celebration is set to start at 10 a.m. on Sept. 22 and will feature local dignitaries, light refreshments and activities for Newtown’s youngest residents.
Worthington said that demolition crews will work prior to the event to prepare the building to be taken down and he expects the building to be leveled rather quickly.
“I made a promise to the township to rip [the old Acme] down as soon as possible,” Worthington said. “I feel good about eliminating this eyesore.”
The managing partner sees the demolition as a positive step for Newtown and called all the positive feedback he has received from the community “rewarding.”
Worthington said construction of The Promenade project, which is in the last steps of securing final financing, could start in just a few weeks. He added that weather conditions could push the start date back to March or April of next year.
Plans for The Promenade feature 20,000 square feet of retail space and 26 high-end rental apartments. As per a restriction requested by Newtown Township, no full-service restaurants with liquor licenses will be permitted in the development.
Worthington told Patch that he has been flooded with businesses and prospective residents inquiring about moving into the site.
The completion date of the project is being eyed for mid to late 2013, Worthington, who is also involved in the Newtown Athletic Club, said.
Sycamore Street Community Association President Shawn Ward told Patch in May that his group, which is made up of Sycamore Street businesses and property owners, supports the project “100 percent.”
Worthington thanked township officials and staff several times. He said they worked hard to help the project get underway.
The original demolition date for the Acme was originally set for August. However, a sewer connection ban caused the project to be delayed, Worthington said.
Aside from Worthington, businessmen John McGrath, Patrick Flanagan and Len Ponzi are involved with the project, BucksLocalNews.com reports.
Worthington said he is just happy to be getting the building down and starting a project that, he believes, will benefit both the township and borough.
What are your thoughts on the demolition of the old Acme? What do you think about the Promenade project? Tell us in the comment section.
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Ed B
7:23 am on Sunday, September 9, 2012
It's about time!
Jen V
8:12 am on Sunday, September 9, 2012
Jim has done a great job over the years with NAC and I am sure he will do the same for this project. Best of luck!
Vicki J
12:33 pm on Sunday, September 9, 2012
I worked in that store for 17 years. I will be there to see it go down. It's a big part of my life.
Linda Mitchell
1:24 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012
Please come by at 9:30am Vicki so you can get your picture taken with other former employees in front of the old building before it comes down. Spread the word to other employees. From Linda Mitchell, NAC PR and Marketing
Tom Sofield
7:40 pm on Sunday, September 9, 2012
Some comments left on our Facebook page (http://facebook.com/newtownpapatch):
"I know it looks bad there, and I agree it needs to come down. However, it's a little sad. Lots of memories there as a kid, shopping with my mom, riding bikes there with friends, etc." - Mary Beth Kenny-Palestini
"I remember going in there as a kid with my mom and there was a beautiful girl who worked there with bright pink lipstick! From that day on I wanted to be an Acme checkout girl so I could be as beautiful as her. She works at the new Acme and I see her every once in a while." - Sara Melissa
"Everytime I smell rotting meat, i think of that old Acme, because that what it always smelled like! Whatever happened to the skate park they were going to put there?? Does Newtown really need anymore high end clothing stores or over priced apartment buildings?? cause i'm sure thats whats going in there!!" - Nicki Tea
gayle roseman
9:03 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
I am all for knocking down the acme, but am not for a shopping and apartment complex. What a traffic nightmare that will turn into, which defeats the purpose of moving to a place like Newtown.
NS
11:58 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Unfortunately a better use could not be found for the property (or a higher bidder), and Worthington and company have the political muscle to push through their plans. I don't think traffic or sewer issues will pose much trouble for a man of his resources and guile.
"Worthington said he is just happy to be getting the building down and starting a project that, he believes, will benefit both the township and borough." I guess he has put his personal economic incentive aside, LOL.
"...Ponzi are involved with the project, BucksLocalNews.com reports" did they mean scheme???
Becky
8:39 am on Friday, September 21, 2012
I shopped in that store for years and I miss it.
More unaffordable housing? More stores that will close within the year? Come on Newtown, wake UP!! What used to be a small town environment is now a "thousandaire" haven for people who can't afford to live in NYC, Phila., or Princeton so they move here. I have plenty to say about Mr. Worthington, but I'll restrain myself. His best interests are more money in HIS pocket, not benefiting the township or the bureau. His "water park" destroyed one of the few havens remaining for wildlife in the area and he has created a NIGHTMARE traffic problem at the site of his overpriced "gym". Have the supervisors even CONSIDERED the traffic issue at the Acme site? I think not. Shame on you all for only thinking of the dollar and NOT the community's best interest.
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