Phoenixville Approves Large New Apt. Complex Along French Creek

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — A large new apartment complex just off of French Creek has been approved in Phoenixville.

The development, named French Creek West, will bring 550 units to the 37-acre stretch of land below High Street and Gay Street. It's the former site of a large portion of the Phoenix Iron and Steel Co., currently holding a jungle of overgrowth and the rusted remnants of one of the nation's pioneering industrial plants.

It's the latest major development in a rapidly growing borough that has seen numerous similar projects in recent years. The approval, voted on 5-1 by borough council Tuesday night, brings to a close a four-year process between developers and the Planning Commission to address one of the borough's more desirable vacant areas. It also ends years of speculation about the space, which has been the subject a variety of different project proposals over the years.

The development will feature 164 townhouses, 146 stacked townhouses, and 240 apartments.

"People are dying to move into our community," Councilwoman Beth Burckley said. "I've been able to work alongside business owners, and non profits, and the one thing that I see that we as a council needed to be careful of is this growth. And it is scary, but I think we've done it very responsibly."

Plans call for a massive parking undertaking, with 1,135 spaces designated for the townhouses, and another 258 for the apartments, including lots, driveways, building garages, and detached garages.

There will also be a 120-space public parking lot, and street parking available for 96 vehicles on one of the new streets in the development.

Councilman Richard Kirkner of the North Ward was the lone dissenting vote.