The township council voted this week to authorize the solicitation of brokerage services in hopes of hiring a real estate broker to rent out space in Civic Plaza.
Civic Plaza is a former strip mall located on Chambers Bridge Road that is now owned by the township.
The building, which currently houses the township's recreation office, was put up for sale in January, but negotiations with a potential buyer fell through, and officials made the decision last month to retain the property.
Now, township leaders hope the site may generate revenue from private leases. Because the building was purchased with tax-free bonds, the township was not able to rent out the space in the past. Now, however, the debt service on the building has been paid off and the space can be rented out.
Last month, Councilman Jim Fozman said space will be rented out at "market rate."
Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis has said the building could generate about $400,000 in leasing revenue per year.
Some township officials have floated the idea of using the site for a senior center, however there was no indication such a move was imminent.
Civic Plaza was purchased by the township about a decade ago for $960,000. Though no exact figures were made public, officials hinted at the time they put the building up for sale that an appraisal indicatedits value was in the neighborhood of $2 million.
It doesn't make sense to "RENT" the American Legion place when Civic Center has openings... including cooking facilities!!
Our GREAT mayor wanted to sell this property to make a quick fix for some revenue.. NOW he is on this band wagon saying how good leasing the plaza will be bringing in $400,000 a year. Leasing is like an equipment rental business – “you got it – you sell it- and you still got it”. Before, like all of his MONEY making schemes, The Mayor is raping the town. Examples: Lighthouse development – next to the sports complex and cut off access to Cherry Quay and we will forever be battling the new property owns about noise and lights. Post office tract: A nice piece of property for the town to develop for a park. NOW we have to worry about all the new kids we will have to pay for to educate. Traders cove: instead of a tax revenue source with condos (most likely to be used by summer residents with no kids to educate) and an improved marina and restaurant as proposed by the developer, we will have a bottomless pit of bond payments and high maintenance costs. Don’t we just love our Mayor. WE WILL LOVE OUR NEW MAYOR – NO MATTER WHO HE OR SHE IS.
When government tries to get into business and "make money" it usually ends up costing us a lot of money.
It's BS to think the civic center could get $400,000/yr in rent.... but ONLY be worth $2million... Yeah, right. $150-200,000/yr may be believable... triple net. This mayor is either an idiot.... or he believes the taxpayers are dumb as rocks!!
Government doesn't know how to run a business.... then get into politics if they want to raise prices. 1. EMS.... loses 600,000 to 1 million per year... lost 5 million since inception. 2. Beach fees... whether parking or access... won't increase due to pressure from seniors, etc. Town could make a heck of a lot more money on parking, etc. 3. Rec Programs... loses lots of money...
In the store it states that the Township could not rent out space in the past since the building was purchased with tax-free bonds. Why then was Oscar's Pizza, the small concession stand and the Chamber allowed to be lease's prior to building becoming debt free ?
let me get this straight you want a park closer to Lakewood but don't want a park on the east side of town???? You flip flopped faster than Ducey did on Jan1 when they asked him about benefits. Either way both parks would probably be overrun by our Lakewood neighbors. Ever been to Windward Beach any time of the year? If nothing else at least try to be consistent.
I'm aware of public policy.... the beach loses money and politics won't raise rates. As far a parking, they can charge whatever they want... that is not under public policy!!