Montgomery County · Upper Merion · MCPC #24-0238-002
900 First Ave. Building Addition
900 First Ave., Upper Merion, PA · 16,196 sq ft non-residential, industrial · 29.85 acres
About this project
Arkema (also filed as Atofina Chemicals) proposes an addition of about 16,000 square feet, plus a 600-square-foot security building, at its 900 First Avenue site in Upper Merion Township. The work sits on part of a 29.85-acre property and includes new sidewalks and a rain garden to manage stormwater.
County planning commission: Supports
Issues raised: Board Of Commissioners, Ontgomery Cou, Montgomery County, Executive Director, Background, Comprehensive Plan Compliance
- Applicant
- Atofina Chemicals Inc. a/k/a Arkema Inc.
- Engineer / rep.
- Bohler Engineering
- Zoning
- KPMU
- Tax parcel
- 58-00-06826-00-1
- Cross street
- First Avenue and Clark Avenue; First Avenue and Park Avenue
- Approvals needed
- waiver: 10-inch PVC stormwater pipe, waiver: simultaneous preliminary and final land development review, waiver: traffic impact study, waiver: map scale
Filing history
- 2024-12-09 · MCPC #24-0238-002 · Land Dev Plan, Prelim Plan · 16,196 sq ft
- 2024-11-05 · MCPC #24-0238-001 · SubDiv Plan, Prelim Plan
County review letters
2024-11-05 · UMERI 24-0238-001r.pdf
2024-12-09 · UMERI 24-0238-002r.pdf
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
Arkema, a chemical company, proposes adding about 16,000 square feet to an existing building at its 900 First Avenue campus in Upper Merion Township. It also proposes a small security building of about 600 square feet. The work covers only part of a 29.85-acre property that already holds the company's King of Prussia research and office operations.
The plans include new sidewalks and a rain garden. A rain garden is a planted dip that soaks up runoff from roofs and pavement.
Township records show the plan went to the Planning Commission in December 2024 and to the Board of Supervisors in June 2025. An online development tracker says the addition was approved 3-2. That tracker is an automated aggregator, and the township's official minutes were not found to confirm the vote. No news coverage or opposition was found.
What it could mean nearby
- The addition is small and sits on an existing corporate campus, so large changes in traffic or neighborhood character are not indicated by the records.
- The security building suggests changes to how vehicles enter or are screened at the site, but no details were found.
- The rain garden and new sidewalks are meant to manage stormwater on site and improve walking access.
Where it stands
The Board of Supervisors considered the land development plan in June 2025, and an unofficial tracker reports approval. After approval, the company usually has to meet any conditions and get building and stormwater permits before construction starts.
- Jun 12, 2025 Board of Supervisors meeting listed the preliminary/final land development plan for the 16,000-square-foot addition.
- Dec 11, 2024 Planning Commission agenda listed an application for the 900 First Ave site.
- Dec 2024 Latest county planning filing (2024-12-09).
Want to weigh in? The Upper Merion Township Board of Supervisors decides land development plans, and agendas and meeting information are posted on the township website; if the plan was already approved, comment opportunities may have passed.
Who's behind it
Arkema Inc. (also filed as Atofina Chemicals Inc.) · Arkema is a specialty-materials and chemicals company that runs its U.S. headquarters and research operations in King of Prussia and has other U.S. sites, including one in Chester.
Around the web
- BOS Meeting - June 12, 2025Upper Merion Township Board of Supervisors · Jun 12, 2025Lists the land development plan for a 16,000-square-foot addition at Arkema's 900 First Avenue campus.
- 12 11 2024 PC AgendaUpper Merion Township · Dec 11, 2024Planning Commission agenda that included an application for the 900 First Ave site.
- King of Prussia HQ Fact SheetArkemaConfirms 900 First Ave. as Arkema's King of Prussia headquarters and research site.
Planning terms explained
- Land development plan
- A detailed site plan the township reviews before a new building or addition is allowed.
- Preliminary/final approval
- A combined review step in which the township approves the plan in one action instead of two.
- Waiver
- Permission to skip or modify a specific township design rule.
- Rain garden
- A planted low area that collects and soaks in stormwater runoff.
- KPMU zoning district
- The King of Prussia mixed-use zoning area that covers the site.
Researched by AI from public sources on Nov 1, 2026. It can make mistakes, so check the linked sources and the municipality before relying on it.
Scope estimate for contractors
Estimated construction value: $2.1M
- ~161 roofing squares (assumes 1 story)
- ~40 tons of cooling (rule of thumb 400 sq ft/ton)
- ~1.0 acres of site work (grading, stormwater, landscaping)
- New sidewalks
- Rain garden stormwater system
- Roof stormwater drainage piping (10-inch PVC)
- Standalone security building
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