Politics & Government

Stockingworks II Sketch Plan to be Reviewed Tuesday by Council

Developer Allan Smith will present his sketch plans for a downtown mixed-use development.

The Borough Council on Tuesday will review a sketch plan for a development project that would essentially change the face of the west side of town.

During Council's regular May meeting, developer Allan Smith will present a sketch plan that details his concept for a mixed-use development on a nine-acre site that includes the former Stockburger Chevrolet property on South State Street.

Smith is seeking to create a mixed-use complex that would feature residential units, a parking garage, and retail, including shops and restaurants. The project’s architect is J. Robert Hillier of Princeton, N.J.

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Ultimately, Smith said he would like to create a piazza – a public town square space – at the heart of the project.

Smith said he’s looking to improve the aesthetics and functionality of the west part of town. “When you come in to town from the west, it’s a pretty dismal experience,” Smith said at a Council work session last week.

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Plus, Smith said, Newtown really needs a place for the community to gather. “The only pace we have in the community for people to come together is two benches in front of Starbucks,” he said.

He hopes the public piazza would be a place where people could enjoy a coffee, talk with their neighbors, and even gather for special events. Smith’s vision is that the piazza would have a retractable big screen and large-scale events, like the World Series or the Olympics, could be shown.

“We’re talking about putting tables and chairs; movable things that would allow people to get together,” Smith said. “Most old towns had town squares. Some how we don’t have a square.”

The Borough Council’s meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the . To view the full agenda, click here.


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