By Sean Ruppert, The Packet Group
SOUTH BRUNSWICK — Plans for a new science research complex along Route 1 in South Brunswick are moving forward as Princeton Forrestal says it has agreed to a contract for the development with a private firm.
The 156-acre site is part of a 488-acre parcel purchased in 1986 by Princeton Forrestal, the commercial real estate development arm of Princeton University. The land sits between Independence Way and College Road on the southbound side of the highway, and was once part of the Princeton Nurseries.
David Knights, director of marketing for Princeton Forrestal, said last week that he would not name the company until the developer submits its plans for the site to the South Brunswick Planning Board for approval.
According to South Brunswick Mayor Frank Gambatese, who also sits on the Planning Board, no plans have been submitted.
Under a deal completed in December 2004, Princeton Forrestal transferred 66 acres directly to South Brunswick, 70 acres to the state and another 70 acres to be owned jointly by the township and the state. In exchange, the township rezoned 156 acres to allow for the development of the science facility, according Mayor Gambatese.
The land transferred to the town will remain open space as the Mapleton Preserve, for which the township recently received a $50,000 grant to be used for improvements to the site.
Preliminary plans call for the construction of seven science buildings, one office building, and two hotels over 90 acres of the property, for a total of 1.9 million square feet.
Before the center can be built, the township is requiring Princeton Forrestal to make infrastructure improvements.
The deal calls for the creation of a new road running from Independence Way at Route 1, looping through site and back to Route 1, and laying water lines along Ridge Road to which houses can connect.
Approval of plans for the road, to be called Nursery Road, was granted by the Planning Board on Jan. 16.
Mayor Gambatese said there were some concerns raised by a few residents about a detention basin associated with the road cutting off a foot path though the Mapleton Preserve.
Mayor Gambatese said that, because the project has already received DEP approval, which can be a lengthy process, Princeton Forrestal will not be moving the detention basin, but has agreed to create a new segment of the path around the basin.
”I think that is a fair compromise,” the mayor said. “We know how hard it is to get DEP approval.”
