Redevelopment of the Beachwood Mall eyesore on Route 9 is a step closer to becoming a reality, under measures approved by the Township Council this week. 

Beachwood Mall, Berkeley Township NJ, Townsquare Media News
Beachwood Mall, Berkeley Township NJ, Townsquare Media News
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Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said actions the governing body took this week are the result of ongoing discussions between Township officials with the property owner and the Redeveloper over the past few months to resolve outstanding issues to move the project forward.

 

"To say I'm excited about the possibility to have that building down in a few short weeks is an understatement," said Amato, laughing.

The Township Council on Monday approved an ordinance authorizing the acquisition or condemnation of the property as well as the imposition of a deed restriction on it. The township will eventually transfer the title of the property to the Redeveloper, according to Amato.

"This way it indemnifies the municipality from the responsibility under the Spill Act for the liability of the clean up of the property, so that the Redeveloper will assist in the clean up of the property," Amato said. He added since the Township is involved in the condemnation, the municipality will be able to apply for grants to help the Redeveloper with some of the costs.

The Township Council also voted unanimously on a resolution to accept a $12,500 grant from the state Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund to pay for a remediation study to determine how much the clean up will cost.

"We don't know what the full amount of the clean up costs are going to be, so that's why we need to get our professionals in there to actually do an analysis of what's actually there and what's not there and formulate a plan," said Amato.

Discussions are ongoing with the Redeveloper to build a new retail facility, similar to what exists, according to Amato. He added the new facility will create jobs for residents and generate new revenue for Berkeley.

 

 

 

 

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