HATBORO, PA —A developer had once shown interest in the vacant Gamburg’s furniture store, it was revealed at Monday night’s Hatboro Borough Council meeting.
The business landmark on York Road —which closed permanently a year ago after 94 years as a retail institution in Montgomery County —has been boarded up for months with residents and nearby business owners calling it an eyesore.
At the council meeting, some residents asked the council what could be done to revitalize the property.
Find out what's happening in Hatboro-Horshamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“There was a developer looking at the property and they pulled out,” said one council member, discussing a developer’s interest a few years back.
Click Here: Fjallraven Kanken Art Spring Landscape Backpacks
“We don’t own the property,” another council member stated.
Find out what's happening in Hatboro-Horshamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
For months, the council has provided no update on the property.
Gamburg’s closed its doors last November after first offering a special sale to its longtime customers.
Borough officials have tried to find ways to eliminate the eyesore. There were talks about artists creating a mural but nothing has been discussed recently about that.
Residents have complained that the boarded-up building has created another downtown business district eyesore, something that was similar to the long-dormant CVS property nearby that had also been boarded up.
The store’s closure meant that the property could be considered for redevelopment under the borough’s mixed-use Town Center Ordinance, which allows developers to construct apartments provided there is retail on the first floor.
For the most part, borough officials have maintained the same line at each meeting:
“The borough has not received any applications pertaining to the Gamburg’s property. “If an application is received, it will be reviewed by the planning commission and the public will have ample time to provide comments and feedback on the project.”
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.