The first steps in the redevelopment of Bensalem’s Neshaminy Mall are underway with proposed plans on the table to demolish the former Sears and Macy’s anchor stores-the first of many incremental steps, sources told Lower Bucks Source exclusively.
Paramount Realty and Edgewood Properties announced in July of 2024 they took ownership of the property purchasing it for a reported $27.5 million
The sources, each independent of each other, told LBS the two former anchor retailers at Neshaminy Mall will, if all goes according to plan, potentially be demolished come late fall or early this winter.
The sources reported that by the time the demolition of the former retail outlets is underway, Bensalem officials will have a sketch plan of what they described as a mixed use town center development before them.
Bensalem Township Council President Ed Tokmajian Jr. would not confirm or deny the reports.
He said no plans have been submitted to the township, therefore he’s unable to comment on any prospective project(s) for the redevelopment of the mall or the demolition of the two structures.
Earlier this year, Tokmajian Jr, during a meeting at the mall, said the redevelopment of the mall will be one of, if not the biggest, projects to ever happen in Bensalem, calling the property the “crown jewel” of the municipality.
The sources, in explaining the demolition project, said the Redevelopment Authority of Bucks County (RDA) would take over the redevelopment temporarily, to fund the flattening of the buildings and once completed cede project ownership back over to Paramount Realty and Edgewood Properties.
The RDA handles community revitalization, blighted property rehabilitation, and brownfield remediation across the county.
Redevelopment Authority Executive Director of Bucks County Jeff Darwick in response to a request for comment what the sources reported said said the RDA is working with the new owners to assess the best way they can help the new owners with the Neshaminy Mall redevelopment project.
Credit: Joshua Thompson, Lower Bucks Source Contributor
“Our involvement is to facilitate an overall redevelopment that’s supportive of the Township’s goals and objectives for the area. At this time we’re exploring options to assist with any environmental remediation that may be necessary subsequent to selective demolition activities, focusing on the vacant Macy’s and Sears buildings,” Darwick said.
Darwick said in response to a potential timeline for the bulldozing of the Sears and Macy’s structures said that there is none currently as the RDA involvement in the project is “…relatively recent in terms of working with the new owners.”
“We have not at this time taken temporary ‘control’ of any portion of the site. We may or may not do that largely depending on potential funding program requirements, and it would only pertain to vacant parcels” Darwick added.
The sources reported that Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration is keeping a close eye on project developments in order to offer the myriad of funding streams the Commonwealth has available to assist with the project, if needed.
Most, if not all, of the news related to the redevelopment of Bensalem’s “crown jewel” property has come through the Bensalem Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) specifically its Executive Director, Robert Norcross.
“That is no longer the case,” a source not authorized to speak publicly about the behind-the-scenes machinations of the project said recently.
The public information flow will be from property owners/developers and the Township, the sources said.
Sources said the Neshaminy Mall will be reimagined in such a way it will offer businesses people frequently visit: such as grocery stores, fitness centers, restaurants, theaters, medical offices, and entertainment venues and housing of some sort.
Called the Town Center model, the project when finished, sources said, will look like an upgraded version of Middletown Townships Oxford Valley Mall.
For now, the 91-acre site remains on many minds, and what it will become moving forward still remains uncertain.
AMC Theater, Barnes & Nobles and Boscov’s, official have said, will be a part of the “new” Neshaminy Mall development.
And now with a flattening of the old Sears and Macy’s buildings potentially on the horizon, designs and other related plans can’t be too far behind, the sources said.
Attempts to reach Paramount Realty and Edgewood Properties officials for comment on this story were unsuccessful.
Editor’s Note
Following the January 31 pre snowstorm visit to Neshaminy Mall Lower Bucks Source asked followers on our META page what they wanted to see happen with the redevelopment of the mall.
The answers varied from a water park to a Walmart Supercenter and all kinds of ideas in between.
You can put your thoughts in by clicking here
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