Plans call for new health club at Middletown property

MIDDLETOWN – Municipal officials in Middletown have designated LTF Real Estate Company Inc. as the redeveloper of a 5.48-acre parcel near Half Mile Road and Schulz Drive.

Officials said the site, which is currently home to a three-story, 75,345-square-foot office building, is expected to be developed with a health club and parking structure.

Township Administrator Tony Mercantante said the proposed redevelopment plan is now subject to Planning Board site plan approval before any further action may be taken.

Mercantante said if the board approves a site plan for the health club and parking structure, the office building would be demolished.

In other Township Committee business on Jan. 21, Mayor Tony Perry said the Middletown Office of Emergency Management and the Jersey Shore Chief Petty Officers Association are collecting donations for furloughed members of the U.S. Coast Guard who have been impacted by the federal government shutdown. 

“I want to thank the Middletown Office of Emergency Management, as well as the Jersey Shore Chief Petty Officers Association … Any donation to the men and women who have decided to stand up and fight for our freedom, I think we should help them out in their time of need,” Perry said. 

According to a memorandum issued by the Jersey Shore Chief Petty Officers Association, donations will be distributed to more than 150 U.S. Coast Guard and National Park Service families in the New Jersey shore area.

Donations may be made at the following locations in Middletown:

• VFW Post 2179, 1 Veterans Lane, Port Monmouth, drop off items between noon and 6 p.m.

• Jersey Shore Coffee Roasters, corner of Route 36 and Thompson Avenue, drop off items between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

• 1st Cup Coffee, 741 Route 35, drop off items between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m.

For a list of items that may be donated, visit www.sosmatters.org.