New shopping center coming to Lower Macungie Township near Hamilton Crossings (Updated Sep 02, 2020; Posted Sep 02, 2020)
“The end result is an attractive commercial enclave that will be a welcoming and walkable community destination,” Beitler stated. “This is a prime example of positive private-public partnerships that supports community vision.”
05/08/2021
A 2.3-acre parcel in the area of the bustling Hamilton Crossings strip mall soon will be home to a new shopping center.
“Shepherd’s Corner” will be taking shape at the corner of Hamilton Boulevard and Krocks Court in Lower Macungie Township. It is expected to accommodate a 9,600-square-foot retail strip and a 3,000-square-foot outparcel building that will be developed for a credit union.
Tim Tay Properties, a commercial real estate development company specializing in national tenants, announced Tuesday the $1.5 million purchase of three properties at 5621, 5591 and 5573 Hamilton Boulevard to make way for the project. Colliers International’s Allentown office helped broker the deal and will handle leasing for the retail site. A groundbreaking will be scheduled shortly, Colliers representatives said.
Derek Zerfass, senior vice president of Colliers’ Allentown office, told lehighvalleylive.com four tenants have been identified with proposals being ironed out before they can be named. Two spaces currently remain available, Zerfass said.
Zerfass said he expected to publicly disclose the tenants, envisioned to be an upscale mix, by the end of the year.
Demolition on current structures at the site, including the former American Candle Shop and a chiropractic office, should begin next month, Zerfass said. Site work is then expected to begin around December, with completion of the work on Shepherd’s Corner expected by the third quarter of 2021.
Lower Macungie officials about a year ago updated the township’s zoning laws to provide a road map for future development within the Hamilton Boulevard commercial zone. Site design guidelines were provided for land development process aimed at addressing growing public interest in a strong walkable community.
The shopping center is being constructed in the township’s newly created Wescosville Commercial Zone, which encourages pedestrian-friendly development. This also means some buildings will be required to be built close to the street with parking in the back. The new design standards also lay out recommendations for how developers should build parking lots, buffers, roofing and signs.
The site is expected to include a new corner parklet plaza with benches and “Wescosville, Lower Macungie” community identification signage provided by the development team. Lower Macungie Board of Commissioners President Ronald W. Beitler said in a statement the team embraced the new community design standards and worked to produce a redevelopment plan that supported the goals of the township.
“The end result is an attractive commercial enclave that will be a welcoming and walkable community destination,” Beitler stated. “This is a prime example of positive private-public partnerships that supports community vision.”
While he acknowledged retail might be under economic stress during the coronavirus pandemic, Zerfass said the township is cultivating a special commercial corridor that will resonate with residents and its patrons.
“We are long-term bullish on what we have here -- and that the most exciting retailers will continue to be attracted to quality community-centered developments,” he said.
Hamilton Crossings is divided into two sections with North Krocks Road running between both. It includes such businesses as Costco, Target, Nordstrom Rack, Whole Foods, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, BJ’s Brewhouse and Restaurant, Chipotle, The Shelby, Smashburger and Starbucks and the nearby Movie Tavern.
Credit: Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
