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Hi all. I was doing some googling this morning on development projects along the PATCO corridor and came across the Haddon Towne Center project. This was supposedly a mixed-use development to be built near the Westmont PATCO station. Does anyone know more about this project? As it was approved in the mid-2000's and the most recent articles I can find on it are several years old, I'm guessing it was never started? I have driven Haddon Ave many times and never saw any construction going on. Furthermore, from what I read the building was to be on a brownfield of an old diaper factory. Going by what I've seen driving through, as well as what's on google street view, I see nothing resembling a brownfield in that area. Does anyone know where the exact location was supposed to be, and if there is any chance of the project going through? It would be out of my price range and not finished for a long time, so none of this has any practical value to me, I'm just curious.
I recall this project. The town eminent domain a few properties and everything for it and then NOTHING!
Gave up trying to follow it as things just never got off the ground. I think there was a ton of fighting over amount of green space and various other things (parking, # of units, taxes, stores, etc...)
I recall this project. The town eminent domain a few properties and everything for it and then NOTHING!
Gave up trying to follow it as things just never got off the ground. I think there was a ton of fighting over amount of green space and various other things (parking, # of units, taxes, stores, etc...)
Ah, that's sad. The nearby Lumberyard development in Collingswood is beautiful, and there is supposedly another getting built for Ferry Avenue in Camden. As Westmont isn't restricted by the dry laws affecting it's neighbors, some TOD development coupled with a bit more nightlife would, I presume, make the town an attractive option for folks seeking mass transit access to Philadelphia. Also, the whole area could use more variety and quality of housing options.
If you drive past the site of the proposed Towne Center, there is a sign posted that says something to the effect of "Future Home of the Haddon Towne Center".
My understanding is that the project, as well as a market rate apartment complex behind Keg & Kitchen, are currently on hold because of a lawsuit. The Fair Share Housing Center based in Cherry Hill has filed a lawsuit against Haddon Township and the developers over non-compliance with fair housing laws. They basically argue that Haddon Township is trying to circumvent the laws by only having low income senior housing. This is a violation of state law and from what I have heard the advocacy group will most likey win.
In an effort to head that off one of the developrs has proposed building a low income apartment complex at the site of the old Black Horse Pike car dealership. This would satisfy the current requirements, but is nowhere near being even beyond basic idea stage. However, even the idea has prompted a huge outcry from the residents of West Collingswood who argue that it will "change the character" of their neighborhood. Basically, it seems like Haddon Township wants to develop Westmont into a wet, slightly more upscale Collingswood / Haddonfield-lite alternative. However, in order to do that they will need to meet low income housing guidelines. They seem to have decided that the best way to do that is to dump the low income housing into the outlying enclaves, which to be fair are already surrounded by plenty of low income housing.
My understanding is that the project, as well as a market rate apartment complex behind Keg & Kitchen, are currently on hold because of a lawsuit. The Fair Share Housing Center based in Cherry Hill has filed a lawsuit against Haddon Township and the developers over non-compliance with fair housing laws. They basically argue that Haddon Township is trying to circumvent the laws by only having low income senior housing. This is a violation of state law and from what I have heard the advocacy group will most likey win.
In an effort to head that off one of the developrs has proposed building a low income apartment complex at the site of the old Black Horse Pike car dealership. This would satisfy the current requirements, but is nowhere near being even beyond basic idea stage. However, even the idea has prompted a huge outcry from the residents of West Collingswood who argue that it will "change the character" of their neighborhood. Basically, it seems like Haddon Township wants to develop Westmont into a wet, slightly more upscale Collingswood / Haddonfield-lite alternative. However, in order to do that they will need to meet low income housing guidelines. They seem to have decided that the best way to do that is to dump the low income housing into the outlying enclaves, which to be fair are already surrounded by plenty of low income housing.
I figured it was suspended due to the low-income housing restrictions. It does seem a bit unfair to dump all of the low-income housing on the already depressed West Collingswood section. I'm not sure how I feel about the whole situation; on the one hand it would be nice to have housing availible for everyone, on the other I understand the resistance to the crime and other negatives that frequently come with low-income projects. It is at least nice to see some have recognized Westmont's potential.
Does anyone know if this project is back on schedule? I see they have a website up now and it states that they'll be up by the end of 2016/early 2017 Haddon Towne Center
Does anyone know if this project is back on schedule? I see they have a website up now and it states that they'll be up by the end of 2016/early 2017 Haddon Towne Center
It was finally approved in Fall 2015. The actual design moving forward is quite different from the original proposal. There is very little ground-floor retail, more parking, a lot of dead space between the buildings, and a bunch of amenities exclusive to tenants. It's much more typical suburban apartment complex than TOD town center. But is under construction now, lots of equipment and digging at the site on Haddon Avenue. I'd guess it'll be ready for occupancy in 2017. Shame they couldn't get something nicer built, but it's better than the empty lot that had been there.
It was finally approved in Fall 2015. The actual design moving forward is quite different from the original proposal. There is very little ground-floor retail, more parking, a lot of dead space between the buildings, and a bunch of amenities exclusive to tenants. It's much more typical suburban apartment complex than TOD town center. But is under construction now, lots of equipment and digging at the site on Haddon Avenue. I'd guess it'll be ready for occupancy in 2017. Shame they couldn't get something nicer built, but it's better than the empty lot that had been there.
It is a shame. Nothing says thriving commercial corridor quite like ground level residential units right on Haddon Avenue. I try to imagine sometimes what this development would look like it it happened in Collingswood. There's no way their town government would have screwed this up so royally.
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