Utility lines cast shadows across the front of the former McKeever’s Tavern building on Walnut Street in North Wales, as seen in June 2022. (Dan Sokil – MediaNews Group) Photo by Dan Sokil | The Reporter.
Staff say no new movement on plans for long-vacant 1890s-era hotel
Council could take up talks on the former McKeever’s Tavern building at Fifth and Walnut Streets this summer, as the town works on an update to its to-do list.
“We were talking about the McKeever’s project last year, and I don’t see signs out, I don’t know if it’s for sale, I don’t know what’s happening with the property?” said councilwoman Anji Fazio.
In May 2022, staff announced that a developer was working on a plan for the historic building at Fifth and Walnut Streets, originally built in the 1890s as the Colonial Inn, then known as the North Wales Hotel through the 20th century, and most recently operated as McKeever’s Tavern until being closed in early 2014.
After it closed, council and residents discussed the future of that building and its possible demolition or preservation throughout that year while a developer proposed plans for that site, starting with a four-story apartment building in place of the old hotel that was voted down by council in early 2015, then a plan to build ten townhouses on the same property that was voted down at the end of 2017.
In 2020, staff said a new plan was in the works to convert the existing building into apartments and add a new apartment building next to it. The borough’s planning commission discussed and voted ahead plans with a long list of conditions attached, and details included that the project would include a new 31-unit apartment building with off-street parking and 3,400 square feet of commercial and café space on the first floor.
During the council meeting on Tuesday night, Fazio asked for an update, and borough Manager Christine Hart said she had little new to report since the prior plans.
“As far as we know, it is not for sale. We have had no zoning and/or planning (applications) put in. It’s currently in court right now with property maintenance violations — we’ve done more than one,” Hart said.
The North Wales Hotel at Fifth and Walnut Streets in North Wales. (Credit: North Wales Borough)“We have met with the property owner, who has indicated that he is assembling a plan. That was a month to six weeks ago — it is not the first time that we’ve heard from the owner that he’s going to resurrect the plan,” she said.
Until a plan is presented for feedback and/or approvals, council and staff have limited leeway to make anything happen, the manager told council.
“We are not in a position where we could do anything, unless we’re looking to condemn it and/or purchase it,” Hart said.
Fazio replied by noting the town’s recent work to renovate and revive a borough-owned former church and office on Main Street that held a soft opening earlier this month, and asked if a similar effort could be an option.
“We did such a wonderful job with the arts and cultural center. It’d be a nice way to bring businesses to the community, if we could maybe demolish it and make a parking lot,” Fazio said.
“I know Ambler has a paid parking lot. We could bring more businesses into the community, if we had more parking for people to come use,” she said.
Hart said the last purchase price she had heard mentioned for that property was roughly $1 million, but has had no talks with the owner on that number or any other.
“I don’t know that he would take any less, but it’s certainly something that council would have to direct myself, and/or Alex (Turock, assistant manager) to reach out,” she said.
“We do not have that type of funding in our budget. We would have to apply for grants, if that’s something that you would want to do,” Hart said.
A setting sun reflects off of a window near the entrance to the former McKeever’s building on Walnut Street in North Wales, as seen in June 2022.Council President Sal Amato then said he was open to further talks if the rest of council wanted to do so at future meetings.
Residents have made recent queries as to the McKeever’s site and anything happening there, Hart told council, but the town itself is limited in the actions they can take beyond property maintenance citations.
“Residents of our community often come in and say ‘Why is borough council not doing anything with McKeever’s?’ Well, the last time I checked, we didn’t own it. It’s just like any other home: some homes are taken care of better than others,” said Hart.
“We do what we can, in accordance with the laws that are on the books. But it is important to talk about, and it is important to let our residents know that it’s not in our control. And we’re doing the best we can,” she said.
North Wales borough council next meets at 7 p.m. on June 10 at the borough municipal building, 300 School Street. For more information or meeting agendas and materials visit www.NorthWalesBorough.org.
This article appears courtesy of a content share agreement between North Penn Now and The Reporter. To read more stories like this, visit https://www.thereporteronline.com
