The inspiration for the townhomes behind the St. Michael the Archangel property.
Credit: McGrath Homes
Founder and CEO John McGrath of McGrath Homes is continuing to explore the possibility of building apartments and townhomes on more than 30 acres behind the St. Michael the Archangel Church on Levittown Parkway in Tullytown.
McGrath, who made a presentation along with attorney Tom Hecker Tuesday in front of Tullytown Borough Council, is in the early phases of working with both the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority and the Department of Environmental Protection to asses the land to first see if any development on the property is feasible.
“We understand traffic, we understand storm water, we understand the issues that relate to [the land],” said Hecker. “What I can offer you is to take a property that isn’t productive, that has no value, and put it back on the tax rolls for Tullytown Borough.”
Residents came out to the borough council meeting Tuesday in moderate numbers to voice against development of the property noting its environmental history as a landfill, and it’s future contribution to an alarming amount of traffic surging everyday onto Levittown Parkway and Route 13.
The property which will be just steps from the redeveloped Levittown Train Station, according to Hecker, is “very desirable” for those who work in the city and have sparked interest in living close to shopping, a church and a train station; all of which the property will provide.
The plans, which are just proposed until work can be done to test the property, would call for a mix of 120 townhomes and roughly 160 apartments, both of which will have access to a separate clubhouse and pool. The townhome end of the development will also feature a soccer field and basketball court for resident use.
Hecker noted that due to resident disapproval, the new plans have been constructed without a connection to Lakeside Drive.
While some council members and residents disapproved of the builder’s plans to include apartments, Hecker assured that the apartments would provide an upscale appearance to the area and would not have rents reflective of a transient population. The townhome properties are expected to start in the $300,000 range.
McGrath, who is currently working on a property adjacent to the St. Joseph the Worker property in Falls Township, plans to honor St. Michael’s in a similar way with the name of this property, if it comes to fruition. The townhome designs will also be reflective of those proposed for the 55+ community proposed at St. Joseph’s.
McGrath’s takeover of the property, according to Hecker, will include the option of the St. Michael the Archangel School, shall the property ever become available for purchase.
“John’s hallmark has been working with communities, getting them to really appreciate the development,” said Hecker.
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