- St. Luke's University Health Network is "very close" to buying three properties near the St. Luke's West End Medical Center
- The original plan was to consolidate the three properties into one tract of 1.01 acres and construct a 3,400-square-foot commercial building
- A St. Luke's spokesperson said the network's policy is “not comment on, either to confirm or to deny, potential real estate transactions"
SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — A piece of land slated for a commercial development soon may be bought by St. Luke’s University Hospital Network.
The KRE Group is the current owner of the properties at 559 Cetronia Road, 569 Cetronia Road and 4590 Broadway.
The original plan was to consolidate the three properties into one tract of 1.01 acres and construct a 3,400-square-foot commercial building and a 34-space parking lot.
“I think that [St. Luke's] looked at this as being adjacent to their property, adjacent to the regional basin that they own. They're in fact doing some utility work there now.”The KRE Group's Director of Planning & Entitlements Noah Chrismer
But The KRE Group's Director of Planning & Entitlements Noah Chrismer told the township Board of Commissioners on Nov. 1 that the company is “very close” to selling the properties to St. Luke’s.
The properties are next to St. Luke's West End Medical Center at 501 Cetronia Road.
“I think that they looked at this as being adjacent to their property, adjacent to the regional basin that they own," Chrismer said. "They're in fact doing some utility work there now.”
St. Luke's won't comment
Chrismer did not comment on why The KRE Group was selling the property. But township commissioners have granted seven extensions to give the developer more time to meet the conditions for approval.
Chrismer came before township commissioners to ask for another extension so the developer could maintain the right to develop the property “in the very unlikely chance that that sale doesn't go through.”
“And then that time St. Luke’s would be coming to this board with whatever they wanted to do with that property, if anything."South Whitehall Township Planning Director Noah Crismer
“And then that time St. Luke’s would be coming to this board with whatever they wanted to do with that property, if anything,” Chrismer said.
When asked whether St. Luke’s would build anything there, hospital network spokesman Samuel Kennedy said its policy is to “not comment on, either to confirm or to deny, potential real estate transactions.”
Township commissioners granted preliminary‐final approval to the original development plan in January 2020, with several conditions.
Board President Diane Kelly, who is the only current commissioner who was on the board at that time, voted against approval for the project, according to meeting minutes.
EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of this article incorrectly identified Noah Chrismer. He is The KRE Group's Director of Planning & Entitlements.
