Forks Township could see new medical office building, bank, restaurant

Bethlehem lawyer and developer Dennis Benner is planning to build a new medical office building, bank and restaurant in Forks Township.

While he has no tenants signed, Benner said the site, at Sullivan Trail and Rensselaer Avenue, offers a prime location for this type of use, which could include any commercial use that's permitted at that site.

"We've talked to a number of people … it will be a class operation," Benner said.

He said it was a little too early to tell how much it would cost to build the site, but said it would be good for an office-type use with a medical facility.

The medical office pad is about 20,000 square feet, the restaurant space is 4,000 square feet and the bank space is 3,000 square feet, Benner said.

A nursery and pizza shop occupy the space and will be removed once construction of the three buildings begins, Benner said.

Benner received preliminary approval at a board of supervisors meeting Jan. 16.

"The township was very good to deal with," Benner said.

The project has a conditional use to put in a fast food restaurant or some other type of commercial site, said Erik Chuss, chairman of the Forks Township board of supervisors.

He said the project is likely to be approved by the township board within the next few months.

"We're welcoming all types of businesses into Forks; a variety of restaurants would be welcomed," Chuss said.

The project, which covers about four acres, is near a Walgreens, Cantelmi's Forks Hardware LLC and Park Plaza at Sullivan Trail, an indoor/outdoor shopping center.

Source: LVB.com