Plans for Township-Owned Strip Mall Up in the Air

Brick officials are open to either leasing or selling a township-owned strip mall on Chambers Bridge Road after learning that no bidders responded to a search for real estate services.

The township council sought bids for professional real estate services on Dec. 10, 2013 and Jan. 24, 2014 for Civic Plaza, but received no responses, according to Business Administrator Scott Pezarras.

Last week, the council voted in favor of allowing Pezarras' office to negotiate directly with real estate agencies, allowable under state law when a bidding process does not draw interest.

Civic Plaza, located east of the township municipal complex off the eastbound lanes of Chambers Bridge, is a strip mall owned by the township. The site has been a subject of debate in township government over the past several years, as to whether or not the site should be sold or leased out to generate recurring revenue.

"I don’t think we can discuss at this time what the solid plan is, because I’m not positive if there is a solid plan on the future of Civic Plaza," Council President Susan Lydecker said at the Feb. 18 council meeting.

Township officials said they would be open to either leasing or selling the property, depending on which option generates interest.

"If we have a licensed real estate service, a broker, and somebody’s interested, we have an avenue to get that rented out or purchased," Lydecker said.

Mayor John Ducey said one of the building's tenants had not paid rent for years but moved out Jan. 31, making way for a leasing opportunity in a prime location in the strip mall, facing the street.

"They finally moved out," said Ducey. "We want to see if that draws a tenant in there which may fill up the rest of the units."

The lack of action at the building drew ire from one resident at the council meeting.

"That’s becoming another Foodtown, period," said George Scott.

In the past, township officials have estimated the building could produce as much as $400,000 per year in revenue, but contracts with real estate brokers with the aim of leasing storefronts at the site have never panned out.

The property was purchased by the township about a decade ago for $960,000. Brick currently owns the site free and clear - there are no mortgages or bonds associated with the site that remain.