Freedom Square gets conditional approval from Conewago Township

Freedom Square, a large multi-use community planned for Conewago Township, York County, received conditional approval from the township board of supervisors. 

The project has been a vision of Tim Pasch’s, owner of Pasch Companies, for years. 

“We are very excited to bring Freedom Square to York County,” he said. “It’s going to be such a wonderful place for people to raise their families. Walking and biking trails, baseball and soccer fields, a community center, parks, open space—it’s all part of this town-center experience.”  

Implemented over several phases, Freedom Square will offer more than 2,400 combined residential units including 416 garden apartments, 120 urban apartments, 325 townhomes, 742 single family homes, and 296 active adult homes. The project also includes 350 senior apartments and a 15-acre senior memory care facility with 180 beds.  

“We recognized the need for diverse housing options that can accommodate both the growing population as well as the needs of our seniors in York County,” Pasch said. “Freedom Square meets those needs while also adding a positive economic impact with the creation of both temporary and permanent jobs in York County.”  

In addition to its residential components, Freedom Square is also expected to include two hotels with a combined 280 rooms, a total of 37,800 square feet for retail space, 57,300 square feet allocated for restaurants, 136,800 square feet for professional and business offices, more than 175,000 square feet for light manufacturing, and a 76,500 square foot shopping center.  

Almost 50% of the 460-acre project will be dedicated to greenspace, and improvements to the central stream corridor that runs throughout the site will offer an enhanced outdoor experience along a natural resource. 

Pasch Companies plans to invest nearly $7 million to create outdoor recreation areas including parks, open space, walking and bike trails, baseball and soccer fields, and a community center.  

Pasch said that an estimated 4,939 temporary construction jobs will be supported, and at full build-out, Freedom Square is expected to create nearly 1,583 new, permanent jobs. In addition to the job opportunities, the community is expected to bring in an estimated $21.2 million in annual property tax revenue at full build-out.  

“This will be a vibrant community where families can grow together while enjoying convenient access to restaurants, stores, and parks. We are excited to bring Freedom Square to life for York County, and to cross this final hurdle,” says Pasch.  

Phase one of Freedom Square, which includes infrastructure improvements, and the development of single-family and active adult homes is on target to begin in 2023.  

Planned infrastructure improvements include enhancements to existing roadways, construction of new roads, and a roundabout at the entrance to the site on Canal Road. PennDOT is also exploring a potential new exit along Canal Road from Route 83, which would directly enhance the efficiency of the existing traffic flow in and around the area.