Abandoned Amboy Cinemas Complex Likely To Be Demolished

SAYREVILLE, NJ — Big changes are proposed for the abandoned Amboy Cinema complex, which for years has sat empty right off the Garden State Parkway Bridge and heavily traveled Rts. 9 and 35 in Sayreville.

At their Sept. 27 meeting, the Sayreville Council approved this sweeping redevelopment plan for the movie theater complex, officially called the National Amusement Theater site.

At that meeting, the town of Sayreville declared the 19-acre property an “Area In Need of Redevelopment." This means the town officially states the property has fallen into a state of disrepair and the movie theater building can be torn down and demolished.

In its place, Sayreville would like to see a commercial retail, a hotel, a conference center or offices built.

By declaring the property an “Area In Need of Redevelopment," the town of Sayreville is legally allowed to offer financial incentives such as long-term tax abatements to potential developers. Without the declaration of a redevelopment zone, a town usually cannot offer tax abatements. A tax abatement is when a developer does not pay property taxes, or property taxes are deferred until a later date.

New Jersey towns often say tax abatement are necessary to develop run-down properties.

"Under redevelopment, the Borough can take a more proactive approach to improving targeted areas," said the Sayreville town Council in a statement on Sept. 27. "This can be used as a means to stimulate development where it might not occur through market forces and private capital alone."

Sayreville has long wanted to see commercial retail or a hotel come to its waterfront redevelopment area along the Raritan River and Raritan Bay.

The town of Sayreville is now seeking a developer to come in and propose the following at the site:

• Office
• Retail
• Grocery Stores-limited to a maximum of 40,000 square feet in area
• Educational Facilities including Colleges, Universities, Technical Schools and Campuses
• Medical Specialty
• Medical Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy
• Hospital
• Assisted Living
• Hotel-Conference Center
• Full Service Hotel or Suite Hotel
• Health Club, Gym, Spa
• Restaurants/Bars
• Quick Service Restaurant with Drive Thru-limited to one such use within the Redevelopment Area
• Entertainment Use
• Public Use
• Park and Ride Facility
• Open Space

"It is envisioned that this redevelopment area will fit into and be compatible with the commercial, residential and waterfront uses of the development of the former National Lead site and the existing highway commercial character of the surrounding area," said the Sayreville Council Sept. 27.

They pitched the property to potential developers as: "The Redevelopment Area has access from both Routes 9 and 35. The access ramps lead to deteriorating parking areas. In addition to driveway access from Routes 9 and 35 the Redevelopment Area is within minutes of the Garden State Parkway, the NJ Turnpike, Route 440 and 287. Mass transit options are available nearby including buses, train and in the near future direct ferry access to Manhattan will be available within convenient distances from the Redevelopment Area," referring to the potential South Amboy ferry service to Manhattan, which has not yet launched.