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 Democrat
If you have any questions or concerns you can email me @ LindaHall@stratfordnj.org |
Dear Neighbors,
Redevelopment and Business News
At the Stratford Municipal Council Meeting held at the Public Safety Building on Thursday, February 8, 2024, the governing body unanimously adopted Resolution #2024:38 to remove Laurel Mills LLC as the redeveloper for the former Laurel Mills Shopping Center site.
This action was taken after the owner/developer defaulted on a series of mandates, designed to continually advance the development of the former shopping center. We share in the public’s frustration, since this owner has delayed and stalled this project for far too long. With that said, the Borough Solicitor prepared and sent a default notice to Laurel Mills, LLC. Moving forward, the Borough of Stratford will be seeking proposals (RFP’s) from qualified developers in order to select a responsible, responsive redevelopment entity to finally develop the site. We look forward to a new developer who will work cooperatively with Stratford and the governing body.
We thank you for your understanding, as we navigate this process.
Ryan Homes is now completing the final building at Stratford Commons on Berlin Road. They will be celebrating their one-year anniversary next month, and we are proud of their commitment to the project, and welcome the new homeowners to Stratford. Many of the new residents purchased due to the close proximity to PATCO Transportation Center. This is the first new home development in Stratford since Woods n Leaves was completed almost 60 years ago.
At Stratford Square development on the White Hose Pike, the Stratford Joint Land Use Board (JLUB) approved the old Bradlees space to be a warehouse, with 10 truck bays. Velocity Partners is the owner of this project. They plan to begin work in order to entice a tenant for this space. Velocity Partners is a large owner of warehouse space in the Philadelphia area.
Also, at Stratford Square the front facade facelift along the strip stores is moving along. The old canopy was removed, and the new front face is beginning to be installed now.
At the new Veterans Village complex on Colby Avenue, interior renovations continue. The new entry doors for each apartment have been installed, along with the new windows on the rear walls of the apartments. They are continuing to complete the interiors. When completed there will be 21 one-bedroom apartments dedicated to US military veterans.
The Stratford senior living facility has been officially named. It will be called Creekside at Stratford”. They have received some long-awaited approvals from the NJ Department of Health, and expects to start ground work in the early part of 2024.
Auto Zone is now open and operating in the retail space once occupied by Pep Boys. Pep Boys still retains their bay service on the Princeton Avenue side of the building. Auto Zone and Pep Boys worked hard to resolve a need in the area and to join efforts in one location.
The prior Friendly’s property has been sold, and the new owner is working on updating and renovating the interior space. They have installed new windows, and worked on the parking lot. The new establishment will be Rob’s Kitchen – Jamaican and Soul Food.
The old Harris School of Business site next to the TD Bank on the White Horse Pike has sold. The new owner has applied for interior kitchen permits to create a new restaurant space.
The JLUB is holding a special meeting on March 18th to hear the application for a new storage facility on Berlin Road. The property is part of the Berlin Road Phase 2 Redevelopment Area and Plan. The existing site is a car repair business, which originally was a Bell Telephone truck depot. The property is under contract for sale. The new developer made a public presentation to Mayor and Council at their February 8th Meeting where a color rendering was shown, and the developer was present to answer questions. The color rendering is posted in the lobby at the Borough Hall. The new building will be three stories tall, and the project will cost over $15 million.
Linda Hall
Proud Mayor of Stratford