Brick, NJ – Brick Township can take another step towards the sale and redevelopment of the FoodTown property on Route 70 when the Planning Board considers the redevelopment plan next week.  Following Planning Board approval, the plan will be forwarded to the Township Council for their consideration.

“This process has gone on longer than any of us anticipated or had hoped, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis.  “With Planning Board approval of the redevelopment plan, the Township can soon start getting proposals for the property.”

The Township Land Use Department worked in conjunction with Mayor Acropolis and the administration to create a redevelopment plan for the FoodTown site.  By creating a redevelopment plan, the Township can have a greater say in what kind of development occurs on the property.

“The FoodTown site is in an environmentally and traffic sensitive area,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “It was imperative that the Township set some parameters regarding what the future of the site will be.”

The redevelopment plan outlines a mix of uses permitted on the site including a hotel with banquet facilities.

The plan was submitted to the Planning Board for the review and approval.  The plan will now be given to the Council for their review.  The Council can then adopt the plan as an ordinance.  When that occurs, the Township can begin to solicit proposals from developers.

Brick Township purchased the FoodTown property in 2003 to stop the development of a home warehouse store.

“For the property to be in essentially the same condition as when the previous administration bought it in 2003 is unfortunate.  That is why I made selling FoodTown a priority when I took office in November,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “We are going to get this done and soon.”

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