Demolition of iconic Modernaire Motel site begins in Springettsbury
Aug. 3, 2026, 9:46 a.m. ET
Demolition of the former Modernaire Motel and other buildings for a planned mixed-use development at a busy intersection in Springettsbury Township began Monday morning.
At 8:52 a.m., a John Deere 350 excavator fitted with a demolition claw moved into position to tear down the house just east of the motel. A smaller machine moved behind the garage on the property at 3321 East Market Street. At 8:57 a.m., the larger machine took a bite out of the side of the building, causing a cascade of vinyl siding, clapboard and insulation, a large cloud of dust wafting from the debris.
The Tamco Construction Co, a woman-owned contractor from Doylestown with more than 20 years experience, according to its website, is doing the demolition.
The township recently received more than 10 demolition permit applications for properties at the corner of East Market Street and Mount Zion Road, township manager Mark Hodgkinson said.
Madison Development Group, Inc. wants to build Mount Zion Commons, which would include a Wawa, a restaurant, retail space and apartments on that corner.
Township supervisors approved conditional use modifications for the project in March 2024. It falls in the municipality's town center overlay, which has special requirements for development.
The land development plans are scheduled to go before the planning commission on Thursday, Aug. 20, Hodgkinson said.
The plans are tentatively scheduled to go to the board of supervisors for final approval on Thursday, Aug. 27, he said.
Efforts to redevelop the busy intersection have been underway for years. Nearly a decade ago, another developer proposed a shopping center in the same spot, but the township turned down a rezoning request.
The public has raised concerns about traffic, pollution and noise related to the proposed redevelopment.
Residents also have expressed concerns about the potential loss of historic buildings. The Modernaire Motel was built in 1949. Its neon sign was recently restored and now hangs in the York County History Center's Agricultural & Industrial Museum.
The Bloomingdale home, which dates to the 1800s, also would be torn down under the proposed plans.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates and more photos and videos.