Renderings show plans for a mixed use development for 68 acres of land on the grounds of the Norristown State Hospital. (Rendering via BartonPartners Architects Planners, Inc./courtesy Municipality of Norristown).
Plans to redevelop 68 acres of land on the Norristown State Hospital grounds took another step forward this week after Norristown Municipal Council members authorized the advertisement of proposed zoning changes to the property.
The zoning text amendment if approved would create a mixed-use overlay of the acreage. That would then set the stage for lead developer Tony Maras, founder and principal of Pinnacle Realty Development Company, to further the vision of the Preserve at Stony Brook.
The project as proposed would include 720 market-rate residences — including apartments and “for-sale townhomes” — as well as more than 60,000 square feet of commercial space for retail, restaurants and a possible grocery store, according to Maras. Another 200,000 square feet would be dedicated industrial facilities for offices, flex and technology spaces.
Two acres of the 68-acre parcel would be dedicated green space for a “municipal yard,” Maras said. Maras previously emphasized the importance of walkability as the property is situated near the Elmwood Park Zoo and Norristown Farm Park.
The land is currently zoned institutional, according to Jayne Musonye, Norristown’s planning and municipal development director, which presents a logistical challenge to the Preserve at Stony Brook.
“The language doesn’t allow for what you have approved. So this is the first step in trying to make this vision possible by changing that language,” Musonye said.
Musonye underscored how the overlay casts a wide net of “permitted uses,” as related to commercial, industrial, residential, retail, and service components. Some optional usage includes theatres, performing arts venues, offices, banks, technology and medical offices, restaurants, shops, barbers, and drycleaners. Residential use encompasses mid-rise apartments, garden style apartments as well as mixed use apartments and townhomes, according to Musonye. Parking and public transit connectivity were also raised.
“[The] ordinance really was written to tailor that plan that you saw from us, and more importantly, protect the municipality [so] that no changes can happen to that plan without you guys knowing about [it],” Maras said.
A years-long process focusing on land planning and feasibility proceeded the state conveying the acreage, valued at $4.7 million, for municipal development, officials said. The Montgomery County Redevelopment Authority had been in possession of the state-owned property on behalf of Norristown.
Of five bids submitted, council members endorsed the team led by the Philadelphia-based firm back in December 2023, and formally accepted the proposal for the Preserve at Stony Brook last year.
Developers, municipal and Montgomery County Redevelopment Authority officials signed an agreement of sale in late February.
“The idea is this is a multi-year project,” Maras said. “The council that was here when I started is different sitting here today. It’s probably going to be different over the next couple of weeks and months as vacancies get filled. So that vision that was started here with this is really set up for everybody and we have a consistent path.”
A public hearing is expected to follow, but the exact date was unclear. Maras indicated he planned to return to Municipal Hall sometime next month.
“I’m just very excited about the project,” said Norristown Councilman Dustin Queenan.
“Me too,” said Norristown Municipal Council President Rebecca Smith.
Capital Spending, Grant Authorizations
In other business, officials designated use of $1.35 million previously allocated capital improvement program funds to purchase vehicles and equipment, said Municipal Administrator Leonard Lightner, who clarified equipment ranged from vacuums to motors. He added the purchases would go toward various departments, including police and public works.
“This is not a change in the budget,” Lightner said. “This is money that we’ve budgeted in the actual budget process here last year. What we’re doing is selecting the different organizations that we will order this equipment from to the tune of $1.35 million.”
Additionally, council members authorized Public Works Director Thomas Odeningbo to submit a $403,246 grant application for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s PA Small Water and Sewer Programs.
Odeningbo spotlighted the intersection of Stanbridge and West Elm streets “as an area prone to flooding,” and funds would seek to bolster stormwater improvement efforts.
Planning continued on municipal entertainment offerings as elected officials authorized a $29,000 agreement with the Norristown-based Rotation Records LLC for the upcoming summer concert series. The 2024 season featured eight live performances at Elmwood Park in Norristown.
Recreation Director Bri’Ana Hawkins said the “full service” contract with the recording studio will cover booking musicians, staging and lighting for events throughout the summer.
All votes taken during Tuesday’s council meeting passed 4-0, reflecting Councilwoman Mydera Robinson’s absence as well as two vacant seats on the seven-member board. Two appointees were selected for the at-large and fourth district seats, but Jasmine Griffen and Natalie Colson were not sworn in until the end of the meeting.
The next Norristown Municipal Council work session is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15 at Municipal Hall, located at 235 E. Airy St.
