Countdown To Demolition Day For Beachwood Shopping Center

by Patricia A. Miller

Residents will see a lot more activity at the Beachwood Shopping Center now that contractors hired by the redevelopers begin the prep work for the long-awaited demolition of the Route 9 eyesore, Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said.

Amato smiled when he gave an update at the June 22 Township Council meeting about progress being made at the battered shopping center.

“Anybody want an update?” he quipped.

Berkeley recently finalized an access and demolition agreement with the redevelopers - M&M Realty and Lennar Corp. - which will allow for demolition, clean up and ultimately redevelopment at the site to proceed.

The redeveloper, not Berkeley, will pay for the costs of demolition. The demolition costs will be deducted from the final purchase price through condemnation, Amato said after the meeting.

“He’s very anxious go get going,” the mayor said.

Some residents and Township Council members clapped when Amato announced the news.

The Beachwood Shopping Center is ground zero in the township’s massive Town Center Redevelopment Plan. Town officials rejoiced when the State Planning Commission members unanimously approved the plan in Trenton on July 16, 2012.

But legal wrangling with owner Priscilla Oughton - who inherited the property from her father, the late James R. ”Jimmy” Johnson - added to demolition delays. The township began fining Oughton $5,000 a day after a fire broke out at the height of Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

The property also came with a myriad of environmental concerns, including the presence of asbestos in the buildings.

The redevelopers have awarded a contractor to an asbestos contractor, who will bear the primary responsibility for the demolition, the mayor said.

“The required state notice for asbestos removal work will be issued this week,” Amato said. ”Once the 10-day notice period ends, work at the mall itself can commence.”

Berkeley received access approval to the site from Oughton several weeks ago. Utilities have been disconnected and the township has received disconnection letters from all but Verizon.

“Then the demolition permit can be issued,” Amato said.

The redeveloper has also hired a licensed site remediation professional (LSRP) to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, Amato said.

Berkeley has hired T&M Associaties to be the township’s onsite LSRP, he said.

The debris will be monitored, recorded and carted to a licensed facility, most likely out of state, Township Engineer James M. Oris said after the meeting.