By Heather Niccoli, Special Writer
CRANBURY — The recently opened New Jersey Community Bank on South Main Street provides a rarity for Cranbury by offering a great deal of parking, which was one of the things mentioned at the bank’s ribbon-cutting ceremony July 14.
Mayor Win Cody, a few Township Committee members and the bank representatives had a small get-together with family and friends, cutting a blue ribbon to open the bank.
”Cranbury was not over-banked; it fit like a Cinderella slipper. We made a decision that we can make an impact here,” said Robert O’Donnell, chairman and CEO of New Jersey Community Bank.
The bank had a soft opening June 9 when it opened to make sure everything was working, and if people came in the bank, employees would help them.
It was once called The Community Bank of New Jersey and was sold to Sun National Bank in July 2004.
In 2006, Mr. O’Donnell had a business plan, and one of his goals was to be a profitable bank in 2011. He opened The New Jersey Community Bank in July 2008 in Freehold and in July 2009 in Neptune.
Richard Schroeder, who has been the property owner of the building for 25 years, is happy the bank moved in.
”It brings a bank to this side of town. There is a lot of housing (in that area), a lot of parking (at the bank),” Mr. Schroeder said.
Downtown Cranbury on Main Street has limited parking. The township plans to “revitalize the downtown and add the right businesses in town to make it possible for them to move in, (while) investigating in different options for the parking,” Mayor Win Cody said.
The township has explored several options in its attempt to increase parking spaces in the downtown area.
In Cranbury’s revised Master Plan, Richard Preiss, township planner, and Andrew Feranda, township traffic consultant, suggested building a downtown parking lot at the end of Park Place off Main Street, and suggested possibly creating diagonal parking spaces on Main Street to increase parking.
The idea for the parking lot at the end of Park Place was widely accepted, but the idea of diagonal spaces had some opposition because many people believed Main Street already is too narrow.
The bank is right across the street from the “green zone” portion of the revised Master Plan. In the future, the green zone may be used for banks, bakeries, delis, salons and townhouses limited to two floors.
”A lot of things have not changed. We need some changes and improvements,” said Christine Thompson, co-president of the Cranbury Business Professional Association. “We try to attract customers. Customers can’t come and park.”
The sufficient amount of parking at the new bank may contribute to its success in years to come.
”We do not need all the accounts in town, just our fair share,” said Elaine Homoky, manager of New Jersey Community Bank’s Cranbury branch.
Mr. O’Donnell said the bank focuses on technology, and when customers make a deposit, they would get the credit on that day.
The bank also plans to build a drive-in ATM and teller, but needs to give an application to the Cranbury zoning board to receive approval first.
”We are really, really looking forward to the community bank in Cranbury. Our bank is comprised of people who are like family,” Mr. O’Donnell said.
Mayor Cody added, “It is wonderful to serve the south side of town and a wonderful addition in this town.”
