Here’s the Proposal for the Suburban Square Expansion

Oooh, the Suburban Square expansion proposal appears to be chugging along. Per the Main Line Times’ Cheryl Allison, Kimco Realty received a recommendation for approval from the Lower Merion Planning Commission for their tentative sketch plans two days ago. Now, the Building and Planning Committee is scheduled to hear them later tonight.

Here is what Kimco wants to do:

• Construct four-level parking garage with 571 spaces at 75 St. James Place;
  garage would include 3,000 square feet of retail space at grade along Coulter Ave.
• Construct two-story, 40,000-square-foot building at 100 Coulter Ave.;
  include first floor retail; second floor office space
• Construct one-story, 3,445-square-foot addition to rear of Trader Joe’s
• Demolish existing storage building with Class II historic resource (it was a former freight shed dating back to 1885)

According to Allison, Kimco Vice President of Acquisition & Development Geoffrey Glazer said the changes are the result of a larger objective to turn Suburban Square into a top retail attraction able to compete with the best of them. From the Main Line Times:

“When someone” – a new retailer or restaurant – “comes into the area, they look at three places, King of Prussia, Center City and Suburban Square. Suburban Square usually comes in third. We’re trying to keep it current and at the highest quality level,” Glazer told the commission.

Recommended conditions of approval, Allison writes, include both new and improved pedestrian connections and additional stormwater control.

Retail-wise, Suburban Square has lost all its first floor tenants and will soon say goodbye to its anchor Macy’s. When questioned about how he plans to handle this by a commission member at the Monday meeting, Glazer pointed to the boutique spaces planned for the proposed Coulter Ave. building, as well as “an even mix of national, international and local retailers.”

Tonight’s meeting will start at 6 p.m. at the Township Building located at 75 E. Lancaster Avenue in Ardmore. The Suburban Square plan is set to be one of the later agenda items.

• TONIGHT: Lower Merion BOC to vote on Suburban Square expansion [Main Line Times]