Development
The Borough is pleased to announce the next steps toward redevelopment plans in the triangle area located between Chestnut and Park Aves. These improvements are possible through funding awarded to Merchantville through a Transportation Alternatives Grant. The goal of the Transportation Alternatives Program is to provide federal funds for community-based “non-traditional” projects designed to strengthen the cultural, aesthetic, and environmental aspects of the nation’s intermodal system. The renderings, presented by CME Engineering Associates at the February 13th Borough Council meeting, illustrate the incredible change planned for the area. Project goals include p roviding pedestrian facilities downtown to promote foot traffic, improving pedestrian facilities and roadway crossings and, c reating a comfortable downtown area with seating, lighting, and landscaping. View the PowerPoint here.
On May 25, 2021 a meeting was held for the public to learn about the Merchantville Pedestrian Street Project. The project consists of the construction of new pedestrian street with streetscaping in the Borough’s Redevelopment Site and along a portion of East Park Avenue fronting the site. This project is intended to support the Borough’s future redevelopment and site reuse. The Redevelopment Site is a triangular tract consisting of numerous lots bounded by East Park Avenue and Centre Street, and an existing linear multipurpose trail. Consulting engineers from CME Associates of Parlin, NJ and representatives of the Borough of Merchantville conducted this online public meeting to inform the public about the project and to solicit input. Meeting materials are posted on the Merchantville website and comments will be accepted by Mike Troncone, CME Associates, via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
CME Associates is holding a zoom meeting on Thursday, December 17th, at 3:00 p.m. to discuss the final set of plans for crosswalk improvements to Centre Street within Pennsauken and Merchantville. The plans have been completed and the project is anticipated for public bid the beginning of the new year. To join the Zoom Meeting please use this ID: 930 2712 5032, click on this link: https://zoom.us/j/93027125032 or dial into this number: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York).
Last evening, Mayor Ted Brennan introduced the borough's vision for the blighted triangular plot behind the old bank building, between Park and East Chestnut, and a mixed use concept proposal by Viking Group and architect/planners from Barton Partners that would help the borough activate the hub of its commercial district. The well-received presentation was attend by about 80-90 residents and business owners. If Borough Council and Viking come to agreement on a plan, they would be designated as the redeveloper, then the proposal would be subject to review by state and local boards. Meetings on the progress of this proposed project will be publicized and are open to the public. http://www.njpen.com/merchantville-residents-get-first-look-at-proposed-88-unit-downtown-redevelopment/
A developer on Monday will unveil a plan for new stores and housing downtown with a goal of bringing more people to live and shop there.Mayor Edward "Ted" Brennan said Viking is proposing a pair of three-story apartment buildings, more retail and more pedestrian paths on a 2-acre triangular piece of land between Centre Street, East Park Avenue and Chestnut Avenue. Viking Group's preliminary proposal, costing up to $19 million, would redevelop what is now mostly a vacant parking lot bordered by a closed bank, other businesses, a coffee shop, and a trail for walking and biking. It will present the plan at the Borough Council meeting Monday night. https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/local/2018/09/14/merchantville-downtown-redevelopment-plan-viking-associates/1285470002/
For all the borough has to offer, Brennan said Merchantville could stand to do a better job touting its virtues. Originally founded as a Philadelphia summer vacation community, the little shade tree borough has a lot of historic character and a nascent local business community that has gotten a boost in recent years. The Station Café, with its unique mix of coffee shop and arts center, also hosts the borough farmers market, and has become “a nice little cornerstone business,” Brennan said. Farther up the street, Eclipse Brewing, which took up shop in a former EMS building, offers craft beer at the edge of the central business district. http://bit.ly/2kCSug2
St. Joseph’s Carpenter Society, the nonprofit which specializes in rehabbing vacant properties and promoting homeownership, is “taking what we learned in Camden” and applying it to the suburban New Jersey towns of Pennsauken, Merchantville and Gloucester City, as well as Collingswood. Now, St. Joseph’s is preparing to rehab three properties in Collingswood with the help of the borough: a privately-owned twin at 19 Lees Ave.; a bank-owned bungalow at 254 Harvard Ave.; and a bank-owned large home at 634 Atlantic Ave. http://bit.ly/2kvhCpG
To Merchantville Mayor Ted Brennan, the Station cafe is the keystone to redevelopment in the heart of his borough’s business district. “For a long period of time, it’s just been corporate offices,” which provide ratables, but which don’t offer a unique cultural aspect, Brennan said. Adding a fine and performing arts space at the center of the borough downtown, however; that’s something he can work with. Read more at NJ Pen. http://bit.ly/1dJThoO
The New Jersey Appellate Division on Friday declined to revive a redeveloper's lawsuits over Merchantville, New Jersey's refusal to adopt an amendment to a redevelopment plan covering portions of the borough's downtown. The appellate court issued two separate unpublished opinions respectively rejecting Fieldstone Associates LP's suit
The Ragan Design Group is helping the Borough of Merchantville develop an Amended Redevelopment Plan for the triangular area defined by Centre, Park, and Chestnut. A redevelopment committee, comprised of residents and business owners, meet on a monthly basis. This page is intended to share information about the process
The Merchantville Redevelopment Committee is looking for a new name for the redevelopment area. Do you have any suggestions? The Ragan Design Group is helping the Borough of Merchantville develop an Amended Redevelopment Plan for the triangular area defined by Centre, Park, and Chestnut. A redevelopment committee,