The former site of the Hammock Inn Hotel purchased by a Levittown -based developer will be receiving $2 million in state funds from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) transforming a warehouse space and creating both short-term construction jobs and permanent jobs in the area.
State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Representative Tina Davis (D-141) announced the funding Tuesday.
“This warehouse redevelopment project would be a welcome addition to Bristol Pike and the township, creating jobs for the construction phase and permanent jobs upon completion,” said Senator Santarsiero. “I’d like to thank Governor Wolf for supporting my request to dedicate RACP funds for this project, which will help grow Bristol Township’s local economy.”
“These state funds will help support the ongoing revitalization of manufacturing industries in the area through the redevelopment of an industrial and logistics warehouse,” Rep. Davis said. “I thank Gov. Tom Wolf for allocating these RACP funds to this project which will create new jobs and support industry, energizing Lower Bucks’ economy.”
Prior to earning approval from Bristol Township Council in August of a preliminary and final development plans presented by BCCI Levittown LLC, the hotel was put up for Sheriff’s sale in June.
Credit: Melissa Hammond
Rumors and unsubstantiated reports said Amazon would purchase the property at the Sherrif’s sale or would make a deal with its owners HR Penn LLC for a similar redevelopment project. During the Coronavirus pandemic the Hammock Inn became secondary home for displaced families and individuals.
The hotel was the ire of many said Bristol Township Council president Craig Bowen recently.
We’ve had a number of public safety related complaints about the hotel and its customers, he said.
The demolition of the hotel should be beginning any day now he said. The entire site was fenced in recently so demo could be begin,
“I’m really pleased we were able to turn a negative into a positive” Bowen said.
The property has been rezoned as heavy manufacturing, paving the way for the redevelopment. The project will include demolition of the current structure and construction of a 130,000 square foot industrial and logistics warehouse that will include the addition of private water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure, officials said.
“We are ecstatic that Governor Wolf has chosen this project for RACP investment and are grateful to Senator Santarsiero and Representative Davis for everything they have done to make this project a reality. This investment will help return this property to a productive and positive use, generating jobs and tax revenues to benefit the community” said Mike S. Callahan, VP of Acquisitions and Development for Benchmark Real Estate and Benchmark Construction.
The warehouse will be built on the nine-acre space as the hotel. Driveways will be constructed along Route 13, Airport Road, and Hardy Street, Developers said.
In 2021 The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Neighborhood Assistance Program awarded $36 million in tax credits across the state to 220 revitalization projects, Gov. Tom Wolf’s office announced.
BCCI Levittown LLC has an agreement to purchase the property, Bowen said, and that process is moving forward at a steady pace.
It’s the second Bristol area development related announcement made this month by Santarsiero and Davis. Earlier this month, they announced $1.3 million would fund a project to redevelop a two block area in Bristol Borough that includes vacant homes.
RACP is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. RACP projects have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity. RACP projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs.
To learn more about RACP projects and grants, visit the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget website.
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