Courthouse Square Redevelopment Would Benefit Flemington: Study

FLEMINGTON, NJ — A sweeping redevelopment plan for a historic Flemington site would mean more school-aged kids in town, a bigger police force, and upgrading the borough's water and sewer infrastructure, a consulting services firm has concluded.

The township released a Community Impact Statement recently regarding the Union Hotel/Courthouse Square redevelopment project. The borough retained the firm to review the project and assess the impact such a redevelopment could have on the borough. Flemington Center Urban Renewal LLC is the developer.

The impact statement will be discussed at a Borough Council meeting tonight. The work session will begin at 7 p.m. and the regular meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Beacon Planning and Consulting Services examined the proposed development's impact on Flemington's population, schools, and municipal facilities and services. The development is estimated to cost between $68 and 75 million.

Beacon said in the impact statement the development would mean about 25 more school-aged kids would come to the borough.

The project could have a significant impact on the Flemington Police Department. Two more police officers might need to be hired, and one or two more police vehicles could be purchased. Police headquarters would be relocated.

The borough's water and sewer infrastructure would be upgraded.

Beacon concluded that the benefits of the project would include:

• Rebuilding and restoration of the Union Hotel
• Redevelopment of vacant properties and underutilized properties that will contribute to the tax base
• Diversification of housing
• Increased support for local businesses
• Community revitalization and loyalty
• Maintain and expand the community pool

The redevelopment would have 222 residential units, including 14 affordably-priced units, a 100-room hotel, 45,000 square feet of educational space, and more than 32,000 of retail space, and 770 parking spaces.

Beacon interviewed local school, police, public utility, and the project's engineer for the study. Local officials approved the final site plan and design waivers nearly a year ago, on Nov. 27, 2018.

Flemington Center Urban Renewal is seeking a tax exemption for the project, or a Payment in Lieu of Taxes.

"Although a PILOT may appear to be just a tax break for the developer, the community itself benefits from unproductive, nuisance/dilapidated/unsafe parcels being returned to productive use, and the attraction of new investments based on the success of the proposed initial project," Beacon said in the impact study.

Community Impact Statement Union Hotel by Daniel Hubbard on Scribd

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com