The mall, located on Route 1, is seeking to expand its Route 1 location by 650,000 square feet.
By:Jennifer Potash Managing Editor
Quaker Bridge Mall, which is seeking an expansion that would nearly double the size of its Route 1 location, announced Friday the addition of upscale department stores Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.
"The addition of Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom and the renovation of the mall will transform this property and is an ideal fit for our Quaker Bridge customer who expects nothing less than extraordinary merchandise and service," said Richard S. Sokolov, president and chief operating officer of Simon Property Group, owner and developer of the Quaker Bridge Mall.
Simon Property Group had not filed a site plan application with the township’s Planning Department as of Friday, said Christopher Budzinski, municipal engineer and secretary to the Planning Board.
The mall is slated to present a status report to the Planning Board on June 19, Mr. Budzinski said.
The proposed plans call for adding 650,000 square feet to the 1.3 million-square-foot regional mall, located on a 100-acre parcel at the intersection of Route 1 and Quakerbridge Road.
Mayor Michael Powers said in a statement that the addition of Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus "is wonderful news for the mall and Lawrence Township residents."
The addition of Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom would not displace the other anchor stores at the mall Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, Sears, and JC Penney, said Les Morris, director of communications for the Indianapolis, Ind.-based Simon Property Group.
The developer envisions the new stores moving into Quaker Bride Mall in 2010.
An expansion of the mall would trigger a review by the Planning Board. If the application is filed, township officials would consider amending the Land Use Ordinance to allow for an expansion, because only 1.3 million square feet is permitted in the Regional Commercial Zone. Township Council would introduce an ordinance to increase the amount of square footage allowed in the RC zone, Mr. Budzinski has said.
Then, the ordinance would be referred to the Planning Board for comment. After the Planning Board concludes its review, the ordinance would be sent back to Township Council for final action.
The Planning Board, in addition to reviewing the proposed ordinance change, would amend the township’s Master Plan to ensure the Land Use Ordinance is consistent with the Master Plan, Mr. Budzinski has said.
For more, see The Ledger’s May 25 issue.
Staff Writer Lea Kahn contributed to this report.

