Development Plans For Morristown Green Discussed By Council

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Mayor Tim Dougherty recently provided an update on the town's plan to investigate condemnation in order to spur development near the Morristown Green.

The town council unanimously adopted a resolution on May 9 directing the planning board to investigate whether the town should pursue condemnation and redevelopment of vacant storefronts on North Park Place and Washington Street.

"It's been vacant long before I took office, and we are all tired of it," Dougherty said.

On Tuesday, May 23, the town announced that a proposal for the vacant buildings at 2-10 Washington St., across the street from the vacant storefronts, is expected soon.

"They've been vacant for a long time. There is a contract on the whole block with a developer called Accurate Developers. I don't know what the price is, but it is hefty. They are coming in shortly with a proposal," Dougherty said.

Dougherty stated that all of the properties presented in the study are owned by David Brown, who has a contract to sell them to Accurate Developers.

Regardless of the potential development proposal, the administration has asked the council to proceed with the condemnation study in order to move the project forward.

"If it stays stalled, it gives the town the tools for condemnation to then go out and seek a developer and to get that filled and developed," Dougherty said.

Some of the storefronts named in the study have been vacant for several years, town officials said.

The town has previously struggled to address the issue of vacancies because, according to Dougherty, it is difficult to take someone's property when they are paying their taxes. "We are just trying to work with the property owner trying to move this forward. It is a very difficult thing to have happen."

The mayor also stated that the pandemic hasn't helped matters, citing the fact that Century 21, a department store, had a 65-year lease before COVID-19 hit.

After declaring bankruptcy, the retail store that sold discounted brand-name clothing and shoes closed in 2020.

"I don't know what the future holds for the Century 21 building. I'm optimistic that something great is going to go there, on that whole block, however, I don't think you're going to see another Macy's," Dougherty said.