Mixed Use Complex Now Planned for Former Foodtown Site

Township officials and the redeveloper in charge of the former Foodtown site on Route 70 are now looking to develop a mixed use complex on the lot of the former supermarket.

Township Council President John Ducey said it may still be a while – perhaps up to 18 months – before all of the final approvals from the state are in, but a reprieve from some of those approvals is possible.

"We're hoping that, if it's done in phases, work can start a little earlier," said Ducey.

As part of the overall approval process for redevelopment of the site, the state Department of Transportation must sign off on roadway and access plans since the complex is situated along a state highway.

A plan has been submitted, and in March, the state began a review period, Ducey said. That period can take up to 18 months, but there is a possibility the state could allow some work to begin during the process.

The plan to develop the site has also shifted, Ducey said.

Initial plans called for a mixed use complex which would incorporate retail space with residential development. The plan later shifted to retail space plus a hotel and banquet facility to be built at the site.

"They did a feasibility study, and determined that wouldn't work out," Ducey said, adding that the study by redeveloper M&M Realty Partners concluded that financing issues and other factors made the site unsuitable for a hotel.

The new plan is closer to the original one, where the site is slated to be a mix of retail and residential development.