New Olsen Towers Development Set For Planning Board Thumbs-Up

WOODBRIDGE, NJ - Over 200 new housing units proposed to be built at and around the site of the Olsen Towers senior housing development in the Fords section of Woodbridge are set to be approved by the planning board at its next meeting, according to township documents.

Applicant Green Pathway Urban Renewal LLC proposed to subdivide the current property into two lots for a 61,927 square foot, four-story, 75 unit senior apartment building on Lot A, as well as a 117, 806-square-foot, six-story, 113 unit apartment building with first-floor amenity and cafe space on Lot B, according to documents and statements made at the April 12 planning board meeting. A resolution granting approval to Green Pathway Urban Renewal LLC is now on the April 26 planning board agenda.

You can view the full agenda here.

The Olsen Towers senior housing development is located along New Brunswick Avenue and consists of 75 units, per township documents. A rehabilitation plan for Olsen Towers was prepared by the township in 2016, with plans outlined to “improve the quality of life for residents and provide greater energy efficiency in the building,” as well as to meet the township’s obligation to provide affordable housing opportunities in the region.

The first phase of the Olsen Towers-area rehabilitation project would consist of the construction of the Green Oak Senior Housing on Lot A (535-537 New Brunswick Ave.), complete with 25 studio apartments, 50 one-bedroom units, 38 parking spaces, a community room, fitness room, laundry rooms and library, MyCentralJersey initially reported.

The second phase of the project, which would stand on the current Olsen Towers property at 555 New Brunswick Ave., would consist of 23 studio units, 63 one-bedroom, 23 two-bedroom and four three-bedroom units at The Park at Fords Corner, the outlet reported. 15 percent of the apartments would also be designated as affordable.

A public hearing regarding proposed building demolition and parking space construction at 2 Amboy Ave. is also set to take place at the April 26 planning board meeting. Applicant LWI Realty Associates LLC will be seeking an increase of 45 car parking spaces at the multi-use space on Amboy Avenue.