Latest proposed layout of “Cannon Square” project (Courtesy of Ralph C. Fey Architects).
New Hope Borough Council has a full agenda for its monthly meeting Tuesday night.
Among the issues being voted on are a resolution asking the state legislature to allow local cops to use radar equipment for speed enforcement, and an amendment authorizing revenue from the “Business Privilege Tax” be redirected to Barth Consulting Group to pay for a downtown “revitalization” plan at a cost of $30,000.
Downtown New Hope businesses contacted for this article said they had never heard of the plan.
Council will also review a Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) application from Larry Panzica for the former Cryer’s Hardware building at 20 S. Main St. requesting exceptions not granted by the ZHB. The project has hit the rocks in committee, and owner Panzica has been appealing to council to allow an additional retail use at the property, along with improvements to the second floor apartment.
More significantly, three of New Hope’s biggest real estate development are also on the docket for Tuesday’s council meeting, tucked in the agenda under the headings “HARB Items” and “Other Harb items” (HARB is New Hope’s Historic Architectural Review Board).
The first to be considered, the Cannon Square development project application by Logan Inn owner Frank Cretella, involves a complete makeover of lower West Ferry Street and, arguably, the center of the downtown New Hope.
The square, which is actually more of a triangle, currently consists of a small grassy area, a large pine tree used for the borough’s Christmas festivities, and an old cannon with a stack of oversized balls. The complex overhaul would create more outdoor table seating for the Logan Inn, and involve the re-positioning the tree and cannon. The project would also see the triangle drawn closer to the Logan Inn, and the elimination of the northern branch of West Ferry Street at South Main Street — both of which are owned by the Logan Inn.
Proposed new Nurture Spa location at 31 W. Ferry St.
Cretella, along with partners Scott Kelly (also involved in the Odette’s and 46 N. Main projects) and Carolyn Holdsworth (Nurture Spa owner) are also seeking council approval for their proposed development at 31 W. Ferry St., where Solebury-based luxury day spa Nurture plans to relocate.
Nurture Spa opened its doors in 2005 with a 2,100 square foot spa, expanded in 2007 into a 3,500 square foot facility, and hopes to more than double its space at the proposed location.
Side view (looking west) of new Nurture Spa location.
The new facility will boast 14 treatment rooms, an expansive nail lounge, men’s and women’s locker rooms, several relaxation areas and a large retail store. Architectural modifications to the rear and side of the multilevel building at 31 W. Ferry St. are extensive.
Lastly, the owners of the former Odette’s Restaurant and property on South Main Street will be seeking approval Tuesday night from New Hope Borough Council Tuesday to demolish parts of the historic building as soon as possible and begin moving the remainder to the American Legion property near the intersection of Riverwoods Drive and South Main Street.
Proposed partial demolition of Odette’s.
Odette’s developer Kelly and his other partners in Gateway to New Hope have been given the nod by HARB to destroy its “non-historic” additions, but have been denied permission by the group to move the original stone structure to make way for a new “boutique” conference center.
Borough Council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday night in the Community Room at 125 New St.
Headline in todays Intel about Odette’s makes me sick. Bad enough developer getting a hard time all these years from New Hope officials now this woman from Tinicum thinks she should call the shots on someone elses property. If I was the developer I would take my investment money elsewhere where it is appriciated and leave this EYESORE for us to look at on a daily basis.. This developer has put up with enough!