By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
LAMBERTVILLE — The city will usher in spring on April 1 by becoming the owner of a new parcel of land intended for open space.
April 1 is the date Lambertville plans to close on the deal to buy .56 acres behind the CVS pharmacy at North Union and Cherry streets.
The city will pay Allied Village Square, the lot’s owner, $196,500.
”We’re looking forward to closing,” Mayor David Del Vecchio said Monday.
The City Council last week authorized the use of $210,000 from collected open space tax funds. The difference between the purchase price and the amount authorized can be attributed to bonding fees, fees associated with publishing the ordinance and other related expenses, Acting Clerk Cynthia Ege said.
Mayor Del Vecchio said money that is collected as open space tax can be used only for the purchase of a park, open space or the upkeep and maintenance of such parcels. By law, the city cannot use it for any other purpose.
He emphasized that fact because he said some residents might question how the city is able to afford the open space purchase when it has downsized its Police Department, Public Works Department and other offices in budget-cutting measures.
The city’s newest parcel will fall under the jurisdiction of Lambertville’s Recreation Commission.
There is no plan in place yet for use of the lot. Mayor Del Vecchio said the commission would hold public meetings to discuss what should be done with the parcel.
The city’s voters overwhelmingly supported the purchase in November in a non-binding referendum. The tally was 927-423.
At the time of the vote, Allied Village Square had an application before the Planning Board to build six raised townhouses on the site.
The undeveloped land sits in a floodplain and has a history of flooding. Voters did not want to see it built up and risk the possibility of more flood problems in the area.

