SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. - A plan to redevelop the historic King George Inn property is moving forward, despite multiple roadblocks.
Bud Newton of Newton Engineering, representing property owner Hotel Hamilton LLC, addressed the delay in getting the project across the finish line at a South Whitehall Board of Commissioners meeting on Dec. 7.
- Bud Newton, a representative of the owner of the King George Inn property, addressed the delay in the property’s redevelopment at the latest Board of Commissioners meeting
- The property has been vacant for years; the restaurant that used to be located at the inn closed in 2012
- Newton said the developer is working to resolve the many issues raised by the township
“This has [dragged] on a lot longer than it should have,” Newton said. “There’s a couple little complications here that we should not have had, but hopefully we can get this wrapped up at this point in time.”
“This has [dragged] on a lot longer than it should have. There’s a couple little complications here that we should not have had, but hopefully we can get this wrapped up at this point in time.”Bud Newton of Newton Engineering, representing the property owner, Hotel Hamilton LLC
The property, at Cedar Crest Boulevard and Hamilton Street, has been vacant for years.
The three-story stone structure dates to the 1700s, but has been renovated over the years as it was used for various businesses.
A restaurant that was at the inn closed in 2012.
The board gave Hotel Hamilton LLC final approval in 2020. The board has since granted the developer multiple extensions, including a six-month extension in September, due to 25 outstanding issues listed by the township.
Newton said some of the issues have been resolved, including DEP’s approval of the sewage planning module, but others have not. The developer outlined the status of the outstanding issues in a letter to the township.
Newton said in an interview that the issues are typical problems that developers face, but they should be resolved soon.
“We are probably at the point of getting people to work together to resolve these issues,” Newton said.
King George Inn
Commissioner Monica Hodges asked about what the developer plans to do with King George Inn, which was built in 1757. Newton said the developers plan to keep the stone walls, which are considered historic, but will renovate the inside of the building.
Newton said in an interview that the building does not have tenants yet, so he is not sure what it will be used for. It may be used as office space.
Newton said Hotel Hamilton LLC typically does work with hotels, but he is not sure any part of the parcel would be turned into a hotel because the industry is not doing well right now.
