SEPTA plans a four- to five-story apartment building with ground-floor retail space on an underused 1.7-acre parking lot at the Langhorne Railroad Rail Station in Middletown Township, the transit agency has announced.
The mixed-use, transit-oriented development on Park Avenue aims to revitalize the area and create a denser connection to Penndel Borough, according to SEPTA, stating the initiative is part of a strategy to leverage land holdings for the community.
“Local and Bucks County plans recognize Langhorne Station as a unique community asset and development catalyst,” said SEPTA. ‘The proposed plan supports Penndel Borough’s vision for a stronger, transit-oriented downtown.”
A Langhorne Station Area Concept Open House is planned by SEPTA on March 23 in Penndel Borough Hall.
“We’ll see what people say when we do public outreach if they continue to be interested in something mixed use,” said Jennifer Dougherty, SEPTA Manager of Transit-Oriented Communities.
A developer is to be selected by next year and the project finished by 2028, she said.
SEPTA said the plan provides new housing opportunities.
“There has been no new housing development in over 40 years near the station with a remarkably low 2 percent apartment vacancy,” said the transit agency, calling the site “signature” for development.
It also said the plan provides opportunities for open space development, as well as stormwater management. And it said the project provides dedicated areas for SEPTA maintenance, operations and commercial space.
“The station sits at the intersection of three Lower Bucks County communities: Middletown Township and the boroughs of Langhorne Manor and Penndel,” said SEPTA. “Most of the station property lies within a narrow strip of Middletown Township that separates Langhorne Manor to the north from Penndel to the south.”