Here's The Latest With Circus Liquors/Rt. 35 Property In Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Here is the latest update on the Circus Liquors property on Rt. 35 in Middletown:

The 51-acre property is owned by the Azzolina family, under their development company Mountain Hill. The Azzolinas have longtime roots in the Middletown community.

Middletown Township is now trying to declare their property an area in need of condemnation. At the Township Committee meeting this past Monday night, Aug. 21, Middletown introduced a resolution to launch a "condemnation redevelopment study" at the site.

This is because Middletown wants to take over ownership of the property and buy it from the Azzolina family.

"The Township declares it condemned and would pay the Azzolinas fair market value for the land after the property is assessed by an appraiser," Middletown Twp. attorney Brian Nelson told Patch Thursday.

According to Nelson, Middletown has been approached by several different developers who are keen to develop the property. One of them is B.D’Uva Development, who wants to build commercial at the site, plus recreation, including youth soccer fields.

However, this summer the Azzolina family entered into contract with a developer named AAMHMT Property, LLC. That developer wants to build nearly 1,000 housing units on the property.

According to Nelson, that is in violation of this redevelopment plan Middletown and the Azzolinas agreed upon in 2017.

The redevelopment plan does not allow for housing on the entire 51-acre site: The front half of the property, facing Rt. 35, is zoned for commercial use. Only the back half is zoned residential and Tolls Brothers is already building there. Toll Brothers started construction on Middletown Walk, which will be 400 residential units, 80 of which will be affordable housing.

As Patch reported yesterday, on Aug. 17, AAMHMT sued the Township, saying Middletown is not approving enough affordable housing

"We haven't heard from the Azzolina family in over three years (regarding this property)," said Nelson Thursday. "We only heard about this property a couple weeks ago when they filed their lawsuit. They're saying they want to build nearly 1,000 units of housing on property that is not zoned for it. They are just trying to use the affordable housing angle as leverage, that's all they're doing. It is just pure greed."

Nelson said that by entering into contract to sell the land to AAMHMT, the Azzolinas are "breaking the terms of their agreement with the Township (the 2017 redevelopment plan). They need the Township's consent to designate a developer in a redevelopment zone."

Patch asked the Azzolina family for their response to what Middletown is trying to do, and they declined to comment for this article.

Middletown locals know this is the same property that was supposed to be The Shoppes at Middletown, which would have had a Wegman's, a movie theater and a 24-Hour Fitness, plus shops with pedestrian walkways. That was planned by a totally different developer that used to be under contract with the Azzolinas, National Realty & Development Corp.

However, in the summer of 2020 (the middle of the pandemic) National Realty & Development Corp. pulled out and entirely killed The Shoppes at Middletown after they said they were not able to secure financing.

"They have sat on this property for 40 years and done nothing with it," said Nelson Thursday of the Azzolinas.

Yesterday: Middletown Sued By Developer Over Circus Liquors/Rt. 35 Property