Work begins on Home Depot in Lower Macungie

Years in the making, store on track to open in summer ’23

Construction of a Home Depot years in the making for Lower Macungie Township has finally begun, according to a news release by RD Management LLC on Monday.

The Home Depot, to be located at 5877 Hamilton Boulevard as part of the retail development Macungie Crossing, would be a one-story, 136,058-square-foot location, as approved by the Board of Commissioners in August.

The location will open in the summer, according to RD Management.

“The Home Depot opening at Macungie Crossing is a great win for local community members needing a close, convenient option for their home improvement and construction projects,” RD Management president Richard Birdoff said in the release. “It’s also an important sign of what’s to come at the center as we work diligently to bring additional opportunities for retailers and restaurants to join the market.”

Commissioners approved land development plans for the applicant, RB Grange Road Associates, roughly 15 years ago. However, aside from the construction of public improvements such as a parking lot access driveway, lighting and a storm water management system, the 20.8-acre site has been vacant for years, according to township documents.

Things picked up again in February when the developer asked to modify the previous approval with reductions in required parking, and removing a previously planned separate retail building.

Macungie Crossing would be less than one mile from Hamilton Crossings, the release stated, and is close to Walmart Supercenter off Mill Creek Road. Future retail, restaurant and fast-food businesses at the development is expected to range from 3,000 to 20,000 square feet.

Nathan Jones, the Lower Macungie director of community development, previously said the township will be working to address some residents’ concerns of increased traffic from the development with possible methods such as light synchronization.

Hamilton Crossings is on 72 acres along the Route 222 Bypass and includes a more than 500,000-square-foot commercial town center. Nordstrom Rack, Smashburger, Whole Foods and Costco opened their first Lehigh Valley locations at the site.