Abington Hospital Offices OK'd for Plumbing Business Site

Senese Energy Company and Schneider's Plumbing, at 605 and 613 N. Bethlehem Pike, Spring House, Lower Gwynedd, will soon be demolished to make way for 25,000 square feet of new office space for Abington Hospital.

Lower Gwynedd Township Supervisors last week unanimously approved the preliminary and final land development for the Abington Hospital Professional Office Building, designed by Robert E. Blue Engineers of Whitpain.

The plan calls for one office building on two acres. Prior plans called for two buildings at 12,984 square feet and 10,990 square feet. Parking will be provided for 84 vehicles.The property is located adjacent to Spring House Animal Hospital.

Engineer Robert Blue said the project has been involved in the township land development approval process for the past eight to 10 months. Blue said plans were reviewed by the Design Review Board.

Blue said the Abington Hospital would be putting "as many trees as it can on the site."

"There will be an additional $15,000 in landscaping on the site," Blue said.
Lower Gwynedd Township will reap $95,000 in traffic impact fees from the project, Blue said.

"We salute Abington Hospital and welcome them to Lower Gwynedd Township," said Supervisor Ed Brandt, who called the development plans "professional."

Supervisors Chairwoman Kathy Hunsicker said it was a pleasure working with Abington Hospital.  "They will serve to be great and fine neighbors," she said.

Township Manager Larry Comunale said Abington is the equitable owner of the site, and it cannot start demolition until final land development approval from PennDOT.

"We look forward to being your neighbors," said Abington Hospital Corporate Facilities Director Judith Kratka.