Plans include addition of Starbucks and renovations to Wawas on north and south
By SEAN DEVLIN
The Sun
Questions about construction, renovation and new business were buzzing in Cinnaminson at the end of spring, with many focused on projects mostly along Route 130.
First, after much back-and-forth between the Cinnaminson Township Committee and the owner of a property along Route 130, Starbucks is projected to open on Route 130 South near Wynwood Drive within the next four months.
During a meeting in May, the committee told property owner Ali Dadyan that four changes needed to be made to the plan: changes to the outdoor light fixtures to match others along the commercial corridor, retaining the building’s current awning, implementation of a retaining wall and include parking bollards or posts in the parking lot.
“Our redevelopment plans call for maintaining the aesthetic character of our town while understanding the needs of perspective businesses and their brand,” committee member Ryan Horner said.
These demands were met.
Next, the two Wawas at either end of Route 130 are undergoing renovations. Each are projected to be complete within 60 to 90 days, according to township officials.
Another project coming to the township is the addition of 119 senior living units on the Siena Luxury Residences site. This project, which will fill out the remaining eight acres of the 15 acres site, is scheduled to begin in September and is expected to take 18 months to complete.
As for potential projects, township officials stated they hope to see Lidl, the German supermarket chain, in front of the township planning board in September or October to begin conversations for a store on Route 130.
The chain is currently awaiting a major access permit from the state Department of Transportation.
Concerning economic development in the township as a whole, Horner pointed to recent census data, which he said showed Cinnaminson growing by nearly 6 percent, with a notable increase of younger families moving into the township.
Mayor Donald Brauckmann echoed those sentiments.
“A week doesn’t go by that we are not discussing or considering the right options for our town,” Brauckmann said. “It is essential to be pro-business with a welcoming attitude balanced by the need to be fair and level handed to all prospects.”
Brauckmann took the mayor’s seat after Howard “Bud” Evans — who had served as mayor since January — learned that he was not permitted to hold partisan political office due to his position as chief of intelligence for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 111th Operations Group.
Evans resigned June 18, and on July 16, committee appointed Brackmann, then the deputy mayor, to serve as mayor.
