Effort to Redevelop Dormant Acme Site 'Moving Again'

The eyesore that everybody loves to hate -- the old Acme site -- may soon see some progress, according to township officials.

But residents will have to hold their breath just a bit longer -- or least until June 5. That's when developers of the Promenade, the mixed-use development slated for the site on Sycamore Street, are scheduled to appear before the Newtown Township Planning Commission.

Township officials say they are hopeful that the process to improve the vacant property can be expedited and the eyesore can soon become an attractive addition to Sycamore Street.

“From all indications, the project is moving again,” Newtown Township Board of Supervisors Chair Mike Gallagher said. 

This won't be the first time township officials consider approvals for the site.

In 2009, the township approved a plan for the site submitted by McGrath that featured a mix of residential units and retail space.

Then last summer, the applicant came back before the township with an urgent plea for zoning relief to scale back the plan –

However, since then, progress on the site has stalled and township officials

In March, Gallagher told Patch he had “heard nothing” from McGrath regarding the site’s progress.

But last month, something was different at the site. While no earth was moved and geese still outnumbered construction workers, a new sign was posted on the chain link fence surrounding the property.

The sign indicated the project has taken a new direction. Jim Worthington, owner of the and a managing partner of the project, now has a leading role in its outcome.

Worthington told The Advance earlier this month that he and a group of local investors are “close to working out the final financing of the project.” According to that article, Worthington now intends to create two buildings on the site.

Gallagher said the township’s professional staff is reviewing changes to the plans that will be coming before the Planning Commission on June 5. 

“We really hope that it gets moving again. This board and the township are doing everything we can,” Gallagher said, admitting the site is “the greatest eyesore” in town.

Supervisor Phil Calabro suggested that in the meantime, something should be done to beautify the site. “It’s the missing piece of the puzzle on Sycamore Street that people constantly notice,” he said.

Supervisor Rob Ciervo suggested asking the applicant to screen the fence to shield the view of the dilapidated building from the sidewalk. The current fence doesn’t do anything to block the view, he said.  “You see right through the chain link fence; you don’t even notice it’s there,” Ciervo said. “You just see this ugly building.”