Franklin Mint Project Moves Forward After Developer Lawsuits

The longtime Franklin Mint project in Middletown Township is back on track, according to the Delaware County Daily Times, after it was stalled by litigation amongst its developers.

In January 2012, Middletown Township Council voted 5-1 to approve two zoning ordinance amendments which developers needed to move forward on the project.

On Wednesday, Frank McKee, owner of the McKee Group, told the Delaware County Daily Times, that all litigation was over and he and the remaining partners Frank Levinson, of Small World Group and Mark Dambly, of Pennrose Properties, bought out former partner, the Wolfson Group.

The terms of the settlement were not released.

McKee and Dambly sued Wolfson, according to the Delaware County Daily Times, claiming Wolfson filed land development plans and changes which violated the partnership. Wolfson claimed the filing was proper and required.  

The developers had been working on plans for the property for more than six years.

McKee told the Daily Times on Wednesday that the partnership is now searching for potential tenants for the mixed-use development and hopes to submit a land development plan by the end of the year.

The 1.2-million-square-foot development plan for the former Franklin Mint property, includes a 125-room hotel, a 200-unit residential area for the 55+ community, office space in the previous Franklin Mint building, retail space, and one or more sit-down family restaurants. The plan also includes public space for a fire station or other governmental use, retention of the state police barracks and preservation of the Pennell House.

The recent sale of the Granite Run Mall to BET Investments will not impact the Franklin Mint project, McKee told the Daily Times.