The Florence Township Council recently passed a pair of ordinances to purchase property that could potentially make headway in rejuvenating the Roebling area of Florence.
The council unanimously approved two ordinances at a Dec. 4 meeting to execute a bond ordinance and authorize the purchase of property on 100 Fifth Ave. on Main Street in Roebling.
The site once housed the former historic bank in Roebling. Municipal officials said this site could serve as a potential location to spark development in township’s larger vision for the Roebling area.
Discussion is already underway for the proposed development and use of township-owned property sited near the Roebling Museum in Florence.
The Florence Township Planning Board members dedicated a portion of their Aug. 27 meeting to field discussions about the proposed development and use of waterfront property along the Delaware River, which is situated by the Roebling Museum and owned by the municipality.
Conversations about development for the area among municipal officials have included a potential marina/waterfront district, entertainment area, residential development, boardwalk and other commercial opportunities. With the recent purchase of the Roebling Bank property, the township has already taken one step to bring this vision forth.
At the December council meeting, township administrator Richard Brook explained the reason for the land acquisition as well as the municipality’s current aim for the property. Brook also discussed the township’s several efforts in the past to purchase various properties for the aimed benefit of residents.
“Whenever a municipality purchases property, it has to do one ordinance to authorize the actual property purchase, which is ordinance 2019-27, and often times accompanied with that is an additional ordinance that authorizes the funding,” Brook said. “This [decision] involves the old bank that’s in Roebling on Main Street. Over the years, Florence Township has taken a look at properties that may have some value to the community – not always a financial value – but that they have an importance to the town.
“Two great examples of that are the Roebling Inn, when there was a push to demolish that and make it a parking lot. Ultimately, the mayor and council at that time had a vision to see that it could become affordable housing for seniors… The other property was the Duffy School on Broad Street. That property was also converted to quality senior living and became a part of the township’s affordable housing plan,” Brook added.
Although officials said that no immediate plan was in place for the potential use of the former Roebling Bank once the ordinances were approved, the municipality was committed to acquiring it to stymie its decline and will eventually discuss a potential designation for the site.
“We are not exactly sure at this time what will occur with the property, but its condition is continuing to deteriorate,” Brook said. “It’s getting worse, and the municipality felt it would be best to step in, acquire the property for a reasonable price, and determine in the near future what would be the best use for it.”