The BCCT covers the proposed burlesque club in the Stockham building with a bit more detail. Obviously, if you want more details, you'll have to come out to the zoning board meeting on May 5 at 7:30 P.M.
I'm a big fan of Gateway and would be very happy to see the Stockham building put to good use, but the second floor burlesque club is the deal breaker. We can do better.
Developer planning ‘burlesque’ lounge
A zoning hearing is scheduled for May 5 at borough hall.
By DANNY ADLER STAFF WRITER
This may not be the revitalization that Morrisville was hoping for. A “burlesque-style adult entertainment” lounge is being proposed for the second floor of a four-story masonry building on the southeast corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Bridge Street.
The proposal also calls for a firstfloor restaurant and bakery, as well as a fitness center on the third and fourth floors of the Stockham building at 10 S. Pennsylvania Ave.
Stockham Interests LLC of Robbinsville, N.J., is scheduled to go before Morrisville’s zoning hearing board next month for a variance because the Stockham building is not zoned for adult entertainment, borough Manager George Mount said. The group also needs to go before the board for sign regulations.
A zoning hearing is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. May 5 at borough hall, 35 Union St., and is open to the public.
The roughly 18,800-square-foot Stockham building, which used to be the home of the Record Collector music store, is roughly 65 percent vacant, according to a petition filed with the zoning office by Stockham Interests.
The “upscale restaurant” on the first floor and the adult entertainment lounge initially would not have liquor licenses and would be bring your own bottle, or BYOB, the petition said.
While many in town have said they want to see something done with the building, the proposal plan failed earlier this year to get endorsements from the Morrisville Economic Development Corporation, an autonomous corporation whose members are appointed by the borough council, according to Councilman George Bolos. Bolos is also a member of the economic development corporation.
In paperwork filed at borough hall, Stockham Interests says the proposal would contribute to the community by rehabilitating a municipal parking lot adjacent to the building.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
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Article in today's BCCT on the Gateway Project, based on last night's Boro Council meeting. The motion referred to in the article was tabled so Council could obtain more information and "do its homework":
Residents argue for, against office building
By ELIZABETH FISHER
Bucks County Courier Times
For two hours Monday night, the Morrisville council heard residents use public comment to express their opinions on whether to allow Penn Jersey Real Properties LLC to go forward with plans for a building on property that borders Williamson Park.
For many, the proposal seems to offer a financial boost to the town. The Morrisville Gateway Project is a proposed 50,000-square-foot office building that will take up two acres, but not absorb any of the park land now used for recreation and Little League games, borough officials said.
Most of the speakers favored the development, saying it would bring needed tax revenues and jobs into a town struggling with its budget and trying to revitalize the business area. Opponents expressed environmental concerns, worries about increased traffic in an already congested area, and fears that the building would spoil the view of the Delaware River, which runs alongside the town.
The council was also considering a motion to show its support for the project and to encourage the developer to move forward with the planning and land development process. The motion was not meant to be much more than a nod because it has “several hurdles to clear before it can even get to the starting gate,” said borough Solicitor James Downey.
The vote on the motion was not completed before press time, but the council's constituents had plenty to say.
Opponent Bill Setzer said that school taxes would only be reduced about $33 if the project went through.
“Most of the 78 percent of money generated by the new building will go to the school district. The tax [relief] thing is the button that's being pushed here, but the borough will have to provide more police protection, traffic control and other services,” Setzer said.
Morrisville resident Judy Miller urged the council to support Gateway.
“I'm asking you in all sincerity to move forward with vision, move forward with Gateway,” Miller said.
On April 3, the Delaware Valley Joint Toll Bridge Commission sold one acre of land in Morrisville to the town's Economic Development Commission for $100,000 so that the MEDC could sell the land to Penn Jersey for Development.
Correspondent Elizabeth Fisher can be reached at news@phillyBurbs.com.
April 22, 2008 6:02 AM
So...in other words you're telling me that this is the only spot where the Delaware river can be viewed in Morrisville. That's like turning down a free new car because you don't want to pay for inspection every year.
Truth be told: By now, everyone should know that it was Councilwoman RITA LEDGER who first introduced the Stockham Building "Burlesque" idea to our Morrisville Economic Development Council people here in Morrisville. Is she 'for' this type of entertainment? Apparently so. I want her out of my Borough Ward and OFF Borough Council for good.
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