Metuchen Has Plans To Transform This Bank Site On Main Street

METUCHEN, NJ — Over the past few years, Metuchen has been working to acquire Manasquan Bank’s drive-through property on Main Street. The Borough and property owners seem to have reached an agreement and have come up with a plan for an open space on the site.

In a message to the community, Mayor Jonathan M Busch said Manasquan Bank will be donating the property to Metuchen as it moves into its new facility on the corner of Main and New.

The Borough plans to transform the space into a downtown pocket park.

“We expect that the Borough will own the property sometime this Summer and we are excited about the extraordinary placemaking opportunity for this convenient space. Our downtown park will be a great place for people to relax and unwind downtown and it will host a variety of inclusive programming,” Busch said.

“Additionally, we have been consulting with the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control on the prospect of adding a beer garden element.”

The downtown pocket park will be constructed in two phases, Busch said. Borough officials expect to design a transitional/pop-up space for the summer.

“Then, in the next few years, we expect that the park will transition into a permanent iteration that will be designed to carefully align with the neighboring property (the current bank branch building) to complement and work in concert with the park,” Busch said.

Over the next few months, Borough officials will provide more information on when the park will open and other additional details.

Meanwhile, the Borough, with consent from the property owners, has applied to the Planning Board for minor subdivisions, variances and certain waivers for the property located on Main Street.

The application is expected to be heard during the May 18 meeting.

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