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A 130-acre mixed-use community called Promenade Park is proposed in Upper Saucon Township, where supervisors heard a presentation about it and referred it to township staff for review Monday. The project is proposed for the Stabler Corporate Center site, which is now known as Stabler Pathways. Owned by the Lehigh University-affiliated LU Properties LLC, Stabler Pathways comprises over a dozen parcels spread across 1,000 acres in the northern part of the township.

Plans developed by Philadelphia-based Arcadia Land Company and Realen Properties call for 250,000 square feet of commercial and medical office space, 150 senior residences, 200 townhomes, 850 apartments and a hotel. The plans also include an extensive trail network connecting the developement to the adjacent Promenade Saucon Valley shopping center and the offices of approximately 30 different companies located just west of where it would be built, along Center Valley Parkway.

“We selected the team of Arcadia Land Company and Realen Properties because of their commitment to smart growth, their approach to land stewardship and their track record of building award-winning, walkable communities,” said Associate VP for Auxiliary Services & President of LU Properties Mark Ironside.

As proposed, Promenade Park would encircle the Promenade Shops south of I-78 and will include 60 acres of public parkland and open space. Highlights touted on a promotional website include “Upper Saucon’s first public dog park, a farmer’s market green” and “a waterfront park with amphitheater, nature trail and fishing pier” that would be built around a body of water called Lake Thomas that is currently difficult to access.

“Promenade Park represents the single-best opportunity in the Lehigh Valley to create a walkable town center,” said Jason Duckworth, President of Arcadia Land Company, in a news release. “Nearly all the ingredients are there–leading employers, shopping, dining, healthcare and education–but they exist as islands. What’s missing is the connective tissue–a public park system, housing options ideal for seniors and young professionals, commercial amenities, and trails and sidewalks linking all the elements together.”

“As planned, Promenade Park would offer amenities and housing options right outside our doors and greatly improve the walkability around Center Valley Parkway,” added Olympus Corporation of the Americas President & CEO Julien Sauvagnargues. “As the largest employer in Stabler Pathways and the closest property owner, Olympus anticipates the completion of this ambitious project.”

If the plans win final approval, Promenade Park’s construction is expected to occur in phases and take three to five years to complete.

The project’s developers are planning to host public open houses at Promenade Saucon Valley on Feb. 8, 11, 22 and 25 to share their plans and gather feedback. More information about the project is available at PromenadeParkPA.com.