Considering the open-space programs being conducted by New Jersey cities, I wonder what effect these programs have on the local economy.
Take, for example, East Brunswick’s purchase of Heavenly Farms at a cost of $12 million for “open space.” What would have happened if this purchase wasn’t made?
I understand the developer would have built 37 homes, each priced at $1 million. In order to do this, he would have spent approximately $200,000 for construction material for each home, or $7.4 million in total. Would that amount have been spent in a local Home Depot? Labor to build these homes would approximate $4.6 million. Would that amount have been paid in wages to local construction workers? The cost to landscape these homes, to my knowledge, would amount to $2.2 million. This money would have been paid to local landscapers. How about furnishing these homes at $80,000 each, or a total of $3 million? I’m sure local furniture companies would have welcomed the business.
Reviewing just the above, a total of $17.2 million would have been spent locally if East Brunswick hadn’t purchased Heavenly Farms for “open space.” In addition to the money that would have been spent immediately, other money would have spent over the years in restaurants, gas stations, clothing stores, drug stores, grocery stores, etc.
The homes would have, according to the administration, increased the school population by 56 students. The cost to the township would have been a loss of $222,000 per year, or a total cost of $2.88 million over the 13 years the children would have been attending school. Taxpayers spent $12 million to save $3 million. Doesn’t make sense to me.
I believe East Brunswick may have lost a lot economically by purchasing Heavenly Farms for open space. How many more open-space programs are conducted throughout the state without considering the consequences to the local economy?
Frank J. Coury
East Brunswick