Economic Development liaison Ryan Horner laid out the timeline for the township’s various projects
Cinnaminson has remained a work in progress for more than a decade, as current and past elected officials worked to breathe new life into Route 130 and attract new business. On Feb. 26, Township Committee made a number of exciting announcements regarding the progress of several highly anticipated projects lined up to become the new crown jewels of Cinnaminson.
Committeeman Ryan Horner, who acts as the liaison to Economic Development and Finance, provided timelines and updates on everything underway in town. Check out what is, and isn’t, coming soon.
Route 130
Marriott and the owner of the former triboro site are soliciting grants and other funding to bridge a $3 million gap on the anticipated construction costs for a new hotel, restaurant and two retail pad sites.
“The county Office of Economic Development is offering their technical support and assistance, and we look forward to updating on this project within approximately six months,” Horner said.
Preliminary discussions are in motion about the former ACME site, whose owner has agreed to enter into a redevelopment agreement with the township. While the details remain confidential, Horner said Committee will update the community on March 19.
German discount supermarket franchise Lidl has received conceptual approval from NJDOT for circulation and access impact to Route 130. Horner said Economic Development will review the proposed modified site plan in mid March and report back to Committee as a whole at the April work session. He anticipates Lidl will submit an application to the Planning Board by June 30.
Demolition on Garden State Inn is expected to be complete within 60 days, at which point the township will close on the property.
Wawa on Route 130 and Church Road is progressing, with facility construction anticipated within the next 60 days. A grand opening is tentatively scheduled for this summer. The Route 130 and Taylors Lane Wawa site is stymied due to the Taylors Lane sewer connection, which is being looked into by the Cinnaminson Sewerage Authority. Completion is expected by the end of the calendar year.
In an effort to provide a better way for these improvements, the township is working on new sinange for the SweetWater Bar & Grill area, including a “Welcome to Cinnaminson” sign.
The Shoppes at Cinnaminson
Chase Bank will begin construction in the Shoppes at Cinnaminson within the next 30 days. Frutta Bowls has joined as a new tenant near Jersey Mike’s, and Economic Development has also had preliminary discussions with the Shoppes’ broker regarding potential reuse and repurposes of the northern boundary of the site.
Senior affordable housing
Committee resolved to transfer an existing five-year P.I.L.O.T. to developer Capital Senior Living, which will take over construction of a long-awaited affordable senior living residence. This project will have all governmental approvals to begin construction of the final units of age-restricted senior housing apartments, clubhouse and associated site work.
“We look forward to breaking ground within the next 60 days and completion within approximately 12–15 months,” Horner said.
The Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders authorized the county Department of Human Services to issue a $240,000 loan to MEND to help transform the vacant Cinnaminson Home property on Riverton Road into 54 units of low-income senior housing. The board previously authorized a $200,000 loan for the project in November 2016.
In other news:
Much to the delight of Cinnaminson’s recreational sports clubs, Committee amended an ill-favored portion of its comprehensive park ordinance. Under Ordinance 2018–3, youth sports organizations will no longer be required to demonstrate that 25 percent of money raised from their concessions was reinvested back into the parks facilities.
Deputy Mayor and Parks and Recreation liaison Don Brauckmann said the committee was previously misinformed that the state Department of Environmental Protections’ Green Acres regulation commanded this reinvestment, leading to its inclusion in the parks ordinance.
“This stipulation never sat well with anyone on our committee or with the sports organizations,” Brauckmann said. “After some research was conducted, it was learned that it was not a requirement, so the current committee acted to quickly take part of that ordinance.”
A public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for March 19 at the municipal building on Riverton Road.
