North Route 206 Projects Underway, But Moving Slowly

When Work Out World announced plans to purchase the Route 206 building that housed a Kmart store, many in town were anxious—not only to have a new gym, but also because of the additional business in town.

That deal fell though, however, but instead of stagnating, the property may yet gain a new lease: Township Business Advocate Gene Strupinsky confirmed an unnamed-as-yet purchaser has purchased the site and is working to find new tenants.

"The property was purchased on Dec. 27 by an investor who is in negotiations with various retailers," Strupinsky said.

That's not the only change in the area, as work is underway across Route 206 (and a little further north) on the Green Village development, a 50-acre project approved in 2012 that will include mixed-use residential-retail and an extended stay hotel.

Crews have been preparing the groundwork for the project, which is still seeking commitments on the hotel operator and other parts of the project that have not been pinned down, according to township officials.

The Green Village development has been approved to include a 130-room extended stay hotel, with 120,000 square feet in eight buildings and a conference room, but Assistant Planner David Kois said site plans for the project have yet to be issued. 

"The developer is currently preparing the overall site as permitted, Kois said. "Usually zoning permit applications are submitted by the developer when site work is completed further."

The project faced opposition from some who objected to the plans to remove nearly 3,500 trees on the site, but the project's inclusion of 117 affordable housing units led township officials to OK the plan.

Kois said the residential part of the project won't be done until after the commercial development.