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Project: Lehigh Valley Town Center for Lower Macungie Township

An aquarium, performance venue and “experimental” sports retail establishment have joined the list of possibilities for a major proposed development in Lower Macungie Township.

The township’s planning commission met Tuesday to discuss the Lehigh Valley Town Center, a Jaindl Land Co. development proposed for land bordered by Schantz Road, Interstate 78 and Route 222. The parcel is made up of open agricultural land and property formerly owned by Eastern Industries.

The main purpose of the meeting was for the applicants to get a positive recommendation of a zoning ordinance modification that allows the new features as well as increasing the number of apartments units from roughly 360 to anywhere from 550 to about 700 units.

The development would be one of the biggest projects since Hamilton Crossings opened in 2016. It would include a Topgolf entertainment location, a 12,500-square-foot retail grocery store as well as retail, entertainment space and residential units.

Todd Waldo, director of real estate development for Topgolf, said in November the two-story venue would be a big economic driver that would create 300 jobs, bring in tax revenue and host features such as a restaurant, bar and an outdoor dining area.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission has criticized the development due to the potential problems of traffic and risks to pedestrian safety.

During the meeting, developer Luke Jaindl went into more detail about the potential sports retail establishment, explaining that what makes it experimental is the possibility for opportunities like customers testing equipment using as virtual reality headsets.

“[An aquarium has] been sought after in the Lehigh Valley for a long time now, and we think it’d be a good fit with the other entertainment uses we have on the property,” he said.

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https://www.mcall.com/2023/02/16/is-...-center-plans/