Woodbridge Attempts To Buy 2 Vacant Lots On Cliff Road, Will Keep Them As Open Space

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Woodbridge Twp. initiated an agreement to purchase two vacant tracts of waterfront land on Cliff Road.

The potential land purchase — still not yet finalized — was announced Monday by Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac.

The two tracts of land are privately owned and are located at 535 Cliff Road. Woodbridge will pay a total of $600,000 for the two of them. The Township will float a bond to borrow the $600,000.

Over the years, developers have eyed both lots to build houses. That's why the Township's pending agreement to purchase them is so important, said the mayor. Should the land sale go through, the purchase will halt any future development, said McCormac. The lots will remain empty as part of Woodbridge's open space land preservation program.

“Sewaren residents have consistently voiced their opposition to any future development," said First Ward Councilwoman Sharon McAuliffe. "I believe this purchase will go a long way in keeping the Sewaren community the waterfront gem of Woodbridge."

“By moving forward with the purchase of this valuable Sewaren waterfront property, we are continuing to advance our long-term plan to keep the Sewaren waterfront community a desired place to live and raise a family,” said McCormac.

Woodbridge is investing heavily in the Sewaren section:

Last year, Woodbridge announced it obtained a $4 million federal grant to build a new footpath and repair the pedestrian walkway along the Arthur Kill, which the town is calling the "Sewaren Waterfront Walkway project." The new footpath will connect the Township marina to the Cliff Road neighborhood.

Currently, the Sewaren waterfront walkway is only half complete: The existing paved sidewalk begins at Captain Carlson Park and ends about a half mile before the former Captain Hook's, now the Woodbridge tiki bar.

The Township is planning to finish the walkway. Once it is completed, it will run for 1.5 miles along Cliff Road. Woodbridge also plans to build a footbridge over the creek so people can walk from the walkway to Alvin P. Williams County Park. Woodbridge is also planning improvements to the dog park there.

“The preservation of the Sewaren waterfront area has long been a number-one priority on my agenda," said McAuliffe. "I am excited to add this Open Space purchase to the many other ongoing Sewaren projects, including the expanded waterfront walkway, an enhanced dog park and recreation area, the long-awaited pedestrian footbridge and the further development of a 'living shoreline' along the creek."

Last year: Here's The Route Of Sewaren Waterfront Walkway (March 2024)

Major Upgrades Coming To Woodbridge's Sewaren Waterfront (March 2024)

Woodbridge Gets $4M To Build New Footpath Along Arthur Kill (March 2024)