By Anthony V. Coppola, Staff Writer
PLUMSTED — At the Nov. 7 Township Committee meeting, Plumsted officials confirmed the selection of Kokes Organization Inc., of Whiting, as the redeveloper for the planned residential retirement community on rRoute 537, a project expected to bring sewer service to the downtown business district.
The two sides will now begin negotiations on a developers agreement and township officials have set a flexible 90-day timetable for its completion.
”We’re cautiously optimistic that we will get it done,” Township Committeeman Mike McCue said. “If not, we have the ability to extend the negotiations.”
According to township officials however, this is not an option they want to explore. The township is on its second developer for the project. Manalapan-based Centex Corp., the original developer, abandoned the project in March. Centex representatives said the project was taking longer than expected and was hindered by various local and state approvals.
The township’s redevelopment process began in October 2002 when the Township Committee began working on a redevelopment plan for the area near Province Line Road. In 2004, the township approved its redevelopment plan and advertised requests for redeveloper proposals, ultimately choosing Centex. The original Centex project was expected to generate a ratable base equity in excess of $250 million.
Township officials have similar expectations for the new plan.
In August, the search for a new redeveloper was narrowed to Kokes and Levin, Shea & Pfeffer, P.A., of Jackson, with the possible goal of combining forces between the two developers. But that plan fell through according to Mr. McCue when Levin, Shea & Pfeffer failed to report back to the township with information regarding their proposed redevelopment plan.
Moving forward, Mr. McCue said over the next three months the township expects Kokes to begin adding the framework for how their project would be implemented and said the township is committed to the task at hand.
”We are prepared to do whatever it takes to make sure this project works,” Mr. McCue said. “This project will not result in the need to raise municipal taxes.”
Although Mr. McCue could not put an exact price tag or time of completion on the project at this time, he did say the township will explore all grant options and indicated the process should not exceed five years. Mr. McCue said the township is ahead of the game in terms of dealing with the state and that because of permitting processes, projects such as these require a lot of effort.
”We’ve had discussions with the state Department of Environmental Protection about this project,” he said. “They are aware. So when the time comes it’s not going to be a surprise to them.”
Mr. McCue previously indicated a key component of revitalizing the downtown was to provide a sewer treatment plant and that this redevelopment project was a smart, economical way to do it.
Like township officials, residents should be prepared to exercise patience as the process unfolds.
”There are a lot of steps necessary before we can break ground,” Mr. McCue said. “Will it be one year? No. Will it be 20 years? Definitely not.”
