Creek Walk, Town Square Still a Possibility in Newtown Borough

A development proposal in Newtown Borough that would feature a creek walk and a town square received support from officials when the Borough Council last week authorized its solicitor to continue negotiations necessary to allow the project to move forward.

Developer Allan Smith, who has received approval to develop the former Stockburger site on South State Street into a mixed-use development with a parking garage, is still hoping his initial concept of a town square can fit in with the borough’s vision for the future.

In order to make it happen, Smith needs the borough’s permission for public easements on the borough parking lot at Centre Avenue, near the state store and abutting the rear of the Hardware House and Starbucks on State Street.

The project that included the vision of a town square and creek walk was first presented to council in 2011. It halted due to a sewer moratorium, which has since been lifted.

If a three-party agreement could be reached, the borough would donate the land to the Heritage Conservancy, which would then transfer it to the development in exchange for public easements for the town square and creek walk, the Newtown Advance reported.

Smith would be responsible for maintaining the land if the public easements are established, according to the Advance.

Smith is planning to work with architect Robert Hillier, who designed Palmer Square in Princeton, N.J.