Long Branch Buys Santander Bank Building, Will Make It New Town Court

LONG BRANCH, NJ — The city of Long Branch announced Friday it has purchased the shuttered Santander bank on Broadway, and it will become the new home of the Long Branch municipal court.

The Long Branch Santander is one of the many New Jersey Santander branches that closed this year; as Patch previously reported, they closed their doors on April 27.

The state of New Jersey gave Long Branch a $2-million grant, which covers the $1.7 million purchase of the former bank building at 600 Broadway, plus moving costs. A spokeswoman for Mayor John Pallone (D) said the city does not have an approximate date for when the new town court will open.

For the past 20 years, the city has been renting the first floor of 279 Broadway as its town court, and Pallone has made no secret he wants to find a permanent home for the municipal court. Long Branch currently pays $135,000 a year to rent 279 Broadway.

"The acquisition of the Santander building is yet another component in our continued efforts to revitalize Broadway and the urban spaces throughout Long Branch," said Pallone Friday. "Santander Bank is selling us this prime real estate, which includes the main bank building and the drive-thru building on 1.7 acres, for $1.7 million dollars. We are working with Santander to keep the drive-thru building open for ATM purposes ... It is greatly needed due to the costs of renting and the need for additional space. Our initiatives such as the Recovery Diversion Program have become recognized statewide but lack room at the current municipal court."

Prior: Long Branch Santander Bank On Broadway Permanently Closes (May)

“We hope to preserve some of the uniqueness and charm of this classic art deco building, with its sleek style and decorative details, while creating a space that best serves the needs of the city and its residents," Pallone added. "We want to thank the state legislature and Governor Murphy for assisting in getting this money in the state budget for the relocation of our municipal court."

The new LB court will be located at the intersection of Bath Avenue, Norwood Avenue and Broadway and across from Norwood Park and the historic Oceanic Firehouse, the original Long Branch City Hall.

This purchase will reenergize the area, helping to bring it back to its original municipal triangle, said Pallone.

At the turn of the 19th century and well into the 20th century, upper Broadway was the center of Long Branch village. The village was the seat of government for Ocean Township before Long Branch separated from Ocean Township and became its own city in 1905.