Redevelopment plans on same block as Co-op

[Morris Kafka]

From the Home News; please see the 6th paragraph ... Morris

NEW BRUNSWICK —Another 110 feet of allowable height could be the needed enticement for a developer to build on a lot across from the Heldrich Hotel complex.
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The city is in discussions with an as-yet-unnamed developer on a proposal to build a mixed-use complex on the New Street lot, which now consists of two vacant buildings on either side of an empty parcel.

Pending City Council approval, the height threshold there would rise from 150 feet to 260 feet.

"There may be somebody coming in in the not-too-distant future," said Glenn Patterson, the director of the city's Department of Economic Development. Patterson said that developer's proposal is for a primarily residential mixed-use project.

While both nearby Rockoff Hall and the Heldrich top out at below 200 feet, the new standards are consistent with the city's master plan, according to a Planning Board report, and are comparable to the Spring Street residential tower a few blocks north.

A portion of the lot, squeezed between the Elks Lodge and the Morris Street parking deck, was added to the city's redevelopment rolls in November. The addition does not encroach on property belonging to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel R.C. Church, which has a driveway extending to New Street.

The lot's purchase, by a limited liability corporation, was completed in April, Patterson said.

A similar change is being proposed for the area around the Ferren Mall and parking deck, where allowable height would double, climbing to 300 feet from 150 feet.

"Across the street from the train station, we think it's a very, very attractive site," Patterson said. "We don't have a project set for it right now, but we believe it has a lot of potential. ... This is the core of downtown."

The plan's amendments for those pair of sub-areas also allow for the development of mixed-use, high-rise residential and retail uses in addition those already permitted in downtown's commercial zone, such as offices and restaurants.

Another change to the plan would require developers of large-scale projects to provide for bicycle parking.

"People do ride their bikes, probably more people want to ride their bikes, and the things we can do to try to encourage that I think are beneficial," Patterson said.

Most of the other changes to the plan reflect zoning and nomenclature changes, Patterson said.

Since its adoption in 1977, the redevelopment plan has been amended 13 times, the last time in 2003.

Those changes are included in a City Council ordinance to be introduced tomorrow evening at the council's reorganization meeting, which begins immediately following a 6:30 agenda review.

Richard Khavkine: 732-565-7263; rkhavkine@MyCentralJersey.com