Featured Image: Lake Thomas, amphitheater, trails, and residential rendering.
UPPER SAUCON TOWNSHIP, Pa., — Open space, a natural lake and a new public park are at the center of a proposed 130-acre Promenade Park community in Upper Saucon Township. Smartly situated between the popular Promenade Saucon Valley shops and office buildings that house 30 employers immediately to the west, Promenade Park will bring to the area a new walkable neighborhood of residential, commercial and recreational uses. Promenade Park will connect for the first time the existing corporate, health care, institutional and retail facilities along Center Valley Parkway.
Sixty acres of park and natural land, interconnecting trails, a public dog run and access to the previously hidden Lake Thomas will be at the heart of Promenade Park and complement high-quality residential, senior living options and commercial spaces all configured as a walkable new neighborhood.
The land is part of Stabler Pathways, formerly Stabler Corporate Center, which is owned by LU Properties, LLC, an affiliate of Lehigh University. Stabler Pathways comprises about 1,000 acres of land across more than a dozen parcels in the northern portion of the township. Promenade Park has been conceived under a master development agreement with Philadelphia-based Arcadia Land Company and Realen Properties, which have a successful track record of similar community concepts.
“We selected the team of Arcadia Land Company and Realen Properties because of their commitment to smart growth, their approach to land stewardship and their track record of building award-winning, walkable communities,” said Mark Ironside, Associate VP for Auxiliary Services & President of LU Properties. “Arcadia and Realen are well suited to advance the vision of Stabler Pathways as a connected community for living, learning and working in the heart of Pennsylvania’s thriving Lehigh Valley.”
Consistent with the 2020 Upper Saucon Township comprehensive plan, the proposed project plans to provide for a modern blend of residential, commercial and recreational uses rather than the single-use zoning currently favoring office and research use.
The initial plans call for 250,000 square feet of commercial office and medical space, 150 senior living residences, 200 for-sale townhomes, 850 apartments and a hotel. All will offer access to the community’s trail network, which will connect seamlessly to the Promenade Saucon Valley shops and existing offices.
Plans call for Promenade Park to be built in phases over three to five years.
“Promenade Park represents the single-best opportunity in the Lehigh Valley to create a walkable town center. Nearly all the ingredients are there — leading employers, shopping, dining, healthcare and education — but they exist as islands. What’s missing is the connective tissue — a public park system, housing options ideal for seniors and young professionals, commercial amenities, and trails and sidewalks linking all the elements together. And with extraordinary natural features like Lake Thomas woven into the site plan, Promenade Park will be a welcome addition to the township and the crown jewel in Arcadia’s portfolio of walkable communities,” said Jason Duckworth, President of Arcadia Land Company.
A prolific employer and the closest property owner, Olympus, is supporting the proposal. “The Promenade Park development promises to make the environment around our Corporate Headquarters in Center Valley more attractive to our current and future employees. As planned, Promenade Park would offer amenities and housing options right outside our doors and greatly improve the walkability around Center Valley Parkway. As the largest employer in Stabler Pathways and the closest property owner, Olympus anticipates the completion of this ambitious project,” said Julien Sauvagnargues, President and CEO, Olympus Corporation of the Americas.
Arcadia and Realen are planning to hold public open houses at Promenade Saucon Valley on February 8, 11, 22 and 25 to share the concept plans with township residents and gather feedback and input. More information about the project is available at PromenadeParkPA.com.
About Realen Properties
Realen provides innovative, high-quality environments for homeowners, apartment residents, office workers, and shoppers alike; embracing the principles of smart growth, infill development, and brownfield remediation. Realen has recently generated notable attention for its master development of suburban, mixed-use, epicenters. The Village at Valley Forge has received critical acclaim for its walkable community design. It illustrates Realen’s commitment to curb suburban sprawl, preserve our precious open spaces, and create responsible and sustainable developments.
About Arcadia Land Co.
Arcadia develops walkable communities in harmony with nature. They believe compact, walkable neighborhoods promote human flourishing and environmental conservation. Their apartments, walkable residential communities, and mixed-use developments are located primarily in suburban Philadelphia.
About Stabler Pathways
Stabler Pathways is an ever-evolving, vibrant, and connected community built for living, learning, and working in the heart of Pennsylvania’s thriving Lehigh Valley region. As a connected community, Stabler Pathways is a place where business, social, and academic paths intersect in exciting ways. Learn more at stablerpathways.com.
Information provided to TVL by:
Michael Drabenstot