Revere - Generations of Building Relationships

FEBRUARY 8, 2010
Switchville Crossing Construction Begins, A Win-Win for Community, Local Government and Developer

Switchville Crossing, a multi-use development underway in Abington Township, is proof that developers, neighbors, and government can work together to create positive change and economic opportunity in the local community.

Located at Highland Avenue and Wharton Road, the 8.8 acre site is the former home of Willard, Inc, a sheet metal fabricator. Upon purchase of the vacant industrial property in 2005, the new owner, Duke Real Estate Partners, LLC, petitioned the township for a change to commercial and retail uses.

Stan Casacio, a principal of the development company, said an initial retail-heavy proposal was met with fierce community opposition. "When we first began the development process I was concerned the local community would oppose any redevelopment of the site. However, our philosophy was always to approach the project with sensitivity toward the surrounding environment. I'm proud of how all the entities involved have collaborated to create meaningful change.”

Zoning and land development approvals for the mixed use development were granted in November 2009. Demolition of the factory buildings is currently underway, with construction to follow immediately.

The first business to open at Switchville Crossing will be an LA Fitness health club, scheduled for completion in late 2010. A 40,000 square foot, three story office building with ground level retail and restaurant space will follow, slated for completion in 2012. A 3,000 square foot outparcel will also be developed.

"This exciting new project will bring life to a property that has been vacant for eight years," said Casacio. "It will create a strong neighborhood destination as well as provide jobs for area residents."

The four-year approval process included numerous meetings attended by the developer, neighbors, and public officials, in a joint effort to determine an appropriate mix of uses for the community.

According to Rob Eyre, President of the Greater Glenside Civic Association, Inc., though neighbors opposed the developer's initial plan, the neighbors’ organization soon refocused their efforts on cooperation and compromise. "Our goal as a civic association was to demonstrate that it was possible for the community to play a substantial and constructive role in the re-development of the Williard property. To do that the community had to move past the “no” of protest against Duke’s initial proposal, and demonstrate our capacity to say “yes” to things that made sense. Our success is due, in no small part, to the extraordinary openness of the developer, and the hard work of Abington Township officials. More than anything, though, the success of this collaborative effort is a credit to the residents and businesses of the Greater Glenside area.”

Carol DiJoseph, Abington Township Commissioner, agreed. “This endeavor stands as a testimony to what can be accomplished with negotiation and right-minded people who want the best for the community, special interests aside. People from all over the area look forward to this redevelopment, and those who know the complexity of such an achievement see it as exemplary."

For Switchville Crossing leasing information contact: Stanley Casacio /Joe Casacio, III at Revere Suburban Realty, (215) 676-2220, ext. #1.