Building would have two stores, offices
By: Kerri Williams
HIGHTSTOWN What is now a Mercer Street parking lot may be the site for a new retail and office building that is being hyped as a "gateway" for the downtown area.
M. Jeffrey Bond told Planning Board members about his plan on Monday, which he said is his way of "giving back" to the community.
"I’m excited about this project," Mr. Bond said. "It’s a new building on a site that hasn’t had one in a long time."
The site is located directly across Mercer Street from Sun National Bank.
The board did not vote on the proposal Monday, instead continuing the public hearing until Sept. 11 when a traffic expert for the applicant will be present to answer questions.
The small, period-looking building would be tied in to the revitalization plan for downtown Hightstown, Mr. Bond said. The project would lend itself to the downtown’s "pedestrian friendly nature," he said, and is "in keeping with the turn-of-the-century look."
The building would include two retail stores on the ground floor with office space upstairs. A center tower would be an "icon" for downtown Hightstown, according to architect Ricardo Perez.
Mr. Bond is requesting that the Planning Board grant several variances for the project, including one for lot size since it is less than the required 35,000 square feet. Variances for both the rear and side yards also would be required.
Borough Engineer Carmela Roberts told board members that her major concerns for the project are with traffic flow and parking. The area already is short on parking, she said, and the project would make for even less. The plan calls for a total of seven parking spaces. She suggested board members hold off on their vote until the next meeting when a traffic expert, Kenneth Fears from Oracle Engineering, will be in attendance.
Mr. Bond said he could address some of the parking concerns himself. Because the retail stores would be specialty in nature, he said that the volume of traffic would not be great. The municipal lot on Rogers Avenue is within walking distance, he added, with many people walking farther distances when they park at a mall. Mr. Bond said that he also would require that the shop owners and office workers find parking away from the building.
Following the meeting, both Mr. Bond and property owner Craig Nelson said they believe the project would be a boon for the downtown area.
"It will fill a need in an area that screams for some help," Mr. Bond said.
Mr. Nelson added that his goal when purchasing the lot in 1994 was to develop it.
"This is half for me and half for the town," he said. "It’s a real passion for me."