BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer
NORTH BRUNSWICK – The township is seeing an economic boom, courtesy of new construction and renovations to existing properties.
“We’re as busy as we’ve ever been,” said Michael Hritz, director of Community Development for North Brunswick. “It’s reflective of an improved economy.”
In terms of new development, a Holiday Inn Express has been approved for Route 1 and Elizabeth Avenue near the existing Staybridge Suites, and a Courtyard Marriott will become part of the transit-oriented mixed use MainStreetNB development off of Route 1 north.
“We continue to be a sought-after area for hotel development given the improvements at both Exit 9 and Exit 8A of the [N.J.] Turnpike,” Hritz said.
In addition, Costco and Target are already open at MainStreetNB, with 158 townhomes and a Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille set for development.
A QuickChek is poised to break ground at How Lane and Jersey Avenue. Further down How Lane, a new medical arts building will be constructed. A QuickChek and Wendy’s has also been approved on Route 1 south on the former Coca Cola property, which will now be known as the North Brunswick Marketplace.
A new contract purchaser will renovate the Wells Fargo site between Route 1 and Route 130, at the former Boy Scouts of America headquarters, Hritz said.
The purchaser will rebrand and redevelop the property into the North Brunswick Business Park and secure multiple tenants.
He will modernize the property but stay within the existing footprint of the buildings, Township Planner Tom Vigna said, since approximately 40 of the 90 acres of land in the rear are wetlands and cannot be developed.
“We’re very pleased with his vision for that use,” Hritz said.
As for the former Pathmark site on Route 1 just south of North Oaks Boulevard, Hritz said Raymour & Flanigan, which owns the property, is trying to better attract certain tenants.
“We are currently working with them on an amended site plan and some proposed modifications to the building so they can secure notable retail tenants,” he said.
With the closure of A&P off of Georges Road and Milltown Road, Hritz said the appeal of a grocery store closer to Berdine’s Corner area has lost its appeal. The township has an abundance of grocery stores, such as BJ’s, Costco, ShopRite, Target and the future expansion of Walmart.
“We have more grocery options than ever. Unfortunately, it’s not of the convenience of being in this particular corner of town in the Brunswick Shopping Center but it remains an understandable challenge,” Hritz said.
Vigna noted that the inclusion of a large grocery section in Walmart off of Route 1 will attract more customers, so the New Jersey Department of Transportation has been required to add a second left turn lane to go onto Route 1 north to improve access.
He also noted that businesses such as convenience stores and gas stations thrive because they are not affected by the online shopping market.
“From the mayor and the governing body to our professional team, we make a concerted effort to make ourselves available to discuss economic development,” Hritz said. “The fact that prominent retailers and businesses make North Brunswick their home speaks well for the township.”
Contact Jennifer Amato at [email protected].