Downtown Redevelopment Department

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Thomas Strowe, Director of Redevelopment
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Scotch Plains Leaders Takes Historic Leap Forward in Downtown Redevelopment | 6/14/23

Experienced Developer Selected to Rejuvenate the Downtown After Decades of Talk

SCOTCH PLAINS – June 14, 2023 – For decades, Scotch Plains leaders have discussed and debated the redevelopment of the downtown. But, to the frustration of many, nothing happened.

That changes today, as the Township Council voted to designate Woodmont Properties, LLC. as the conditional redeveloper for nine acres of land in the downtown.

After an extensive evaluation and review process of 11 proposals conducted by the Township’s RFQ Project Team, Woodmont Properties has been selected to fulfill the vision of hundreds of Scotch Plains residents who shaped the redevelopment plan. Click here to read the recommendation report.

“This is a historic moment for Scotch Plains,” Mayor Josh Losardo said. “This Township Council and Administration has been laser focused on making redevelopment a reality, finally, for our downtown. This is no longer just the same talk that we’ve heard for years. Together, working collaboratively with the community, we have pushed the ball across the goal. It is truly a proud day.”

Losardo, who served on the RFQ Project Team, said the Township received “a number of solid proposals” from developers, all of which shared detailed plans for the downtown district.

“In our analysis, we kept returning to Woodmont Properties because of its tremendous track record of success in our area,” the mayor said. “We know the developer wants our project to be its crown jewel. We are excited about this major step forward in our redevelopment plan and look forward to a superb partnership.”

Woodmont Properties, based in Fairfield, has nearly 60 years of experience planning, engineering, constructing, and managing residential and commercial properties. Woodmont Properties has completed major residential and mixed-use redevelopment projects in the region.

“Woodmont could not be more excited to work with the Scotch Plains community as its newly-designated downtown redeveloper,” said Stephen Santola, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Woodmont Properties. “We thank the committee and the Township Council for carefully considering all the submissions and selecting Woodmont.

“Woodmont is fortunate to have been part of many downtown renaissance efforts around New Jersey, including in municipalities such as Morristown, Cranford, Red Bank, and Metuchen,” he added. “Scotch Plains has a wonderful downtown, and it’s about to get even better.”

During the evaluation process, Woodmont Properties presented detailed financial documents and data showing financial strength and capacity to fulfill all requirements in the redevelopment plan. The developer will use its own financing and in-house team of professionals.

The plan requires the developer to respect the character and history of Scotch Plains. There will be a maximum building height of four stories, plenty of parking and new public open spaces that will further enhance the Alan M. Augustine Village Green. Woodmont Properties shares in the Township’s vision of creating a community hub for art fairs and expositions, the farmer’s market, and other community-centered activities.

The Township Council and Woodmont Properties will work toward a Redevelopment Agreement over the next 120 days. Further information will then be provided regarding the development proposal, project phasing, construction of private and public buildings and the financial plan to support the project.