Cedarbridge development
plan wins board’s approval
LAKEWOOD — Cedarbridge Devel-opment Corp., developer of the planned 185-acre Cedarbridge Corporate Campus on Cedarbridge Avenue, gained unanimous approval for its general development plan (GDP) from the Planning Board on April 30.
The GDP is a master plan for development of the entire site, which is proposed to include up to 1.5 million square feet of Class A corporate space, according to a press release. It details the development concept, plans for the roads and infrastructure, preliminary building lot subdivisions, and construction schedules. Proposed landscaping, walking paths, lighting and retention ponds, which have been designed as an aesthetic element of the campus with fountains and seating areas, are also incorporated.
Cedarbridge Development Corp. expects to begin the first phase of construction, which includes the bidding and construction of infrastructure, roads and utilities, in the fall of 2002.
Construction of individual buildings will require presentation of individual site plans for Planning Board approval, according to the press release. The GDP includes a 14-lot subdivision with 15 buildings and projects construction of 100,000 square feet per year of building space over 15 years. The first buildings are expected to be located adjacent to FirstEnergy Park, the Lakewood Blue-Claws’ baseball stadium.
"The GDP approval represents a major milestone in our progress," said Phil Ludeke of Picus Associates, project manager for the development. "This, along with a number of other crucial elements, is coming together simultaneously in the development process."
For example, a Coastal Area Facility Review Act permit, submitted to the state Department of Environmental Protection in the spring of 2001, has completed the public review period and the application is expected to be approved in June, according to the press release. Additionally, the state has awarded a $4 million grant to the project to fund a portion of the infrastructure improvements.
"At the same time, construction has begun on the new Exit 89 off the Garden State Parkway that will provide easy access to the Cedarbridge Corporate Campus. This enhances the marketing activities," Ludeke said, adding that the development team has recently received a request for proposal to lease to a 200,000-square-foot tenant.
Designed as a Class A mixed-use office park, Cedarbridge Corporate Campus will feature 14 buildings that are being marketed for sale, lease or build-to-suit. Amenities planned to enhance the environment will include restaurants, banking and other support retail services. The site is in the Lakewood Urban Enterprise Zone and Foreign Trade Zone with added benefits for corporate users.
Cedarbridge Development Corp. was originally selected by the township in June 2000 to develop the corporate park as the result of an extensive public request for proposal process. In addition to Picus Associates, the development team includes The Hillier Group of Princeton, which is serving as planner-architect; D.W. Smith Associates LLC, the project engineer; and Cushman and Wakefield of New Jersey, the exclusive marketing agent.