Wegmans Proposed in Middletown

National Realty and Development Corporation (NRDC) revealed Tuesday via their website new revised plans showing grocery chain Wegman's in their proposed development known as The Shoppes at Middletown (also known as Village 35 or the Town Center). Although some residents voiced positive opinions about having a Wegman's come to Middletown, many are still skeptical of NRDC's plans to construct the 340,000 square foot retail facility ( including a dine-in movie theatre and an unknown big box store ) in the wooded area next to and behind Spirits Liquor (now known as Circus Wines). Being that this development is not approved yet by the Middletown Planning Board and no retail space exists, there is no promise that a Wegmans would come to Middletown.

"Minding Middletown LLC," is a local organization responsible for the citizens action group titled "Stop Village 35."

According to M.M., the development will have a severe impact on Route 35 and Middletown residents, especially for those living near Kings Highway, Twin Brooks Avenue, Kings Highway East, and Chapel Hill Road.

Minding Middletown has hired a traffic engineer as well as an attorney to represent them at Planning Board meetings.The organization stresses that Route 35 and Red Hill Road (Garden State Parkway access) cannot handle more traffic. The group is calling for an updated traffic study to be done all along the Route 35 corridor. The group also claims that the traffic study that NRDC presented is using outdated traffic data to mislead residents.

In the early 2000's, a similar development was proposed called the "Town Center." In 2015, Middletown Township put a "General Development Plan" into place with specific guidelines on how this 118-acre site should be developed. The G.D.P. states that no store can be larger than 45,000 square feet, although the Wegman's shown on NRDC's revised plans is 130,000 square feet. There is also another space in excess of 155,000 square feet listed on NRDC's website.

Discussion of the Wegman's was a hot topic on social media as of this morning. Some residents feel that this is just another ploy by NRDC to get residents on board with this development. As you can see from The Shoppes at Middletown website, no other tenants, besides CMX Movie Theater, have signed on to lease space.
The area behind and next to Spirits Liquor is the last tract of green space left on Route 35. Many Middletown residents will agree (myself included) when they say that they are overwhelmed by development as of late that will bring excessive traffic to Middletown's roadways.

- A 250-Condo development is planned across from Target on Taylor Lane.
- A 5,000+ square foot shopping mall has been proposed next to BP Gas (old Garden Center site) on the Dunkin Donuts "island" between the southbound and northbound lanes of Route 35.
- Sears of Middletown is up for sale, and many large commercial developers are currently inquiring about this property .
- New million-dollar McMansions, called Bamm Hollow Estates, can be seen being constructed at the old golf course near Sunnyside.
- New homes are being constructed by K. Hovnanian along Kings Highway East near Normandy Road.
- Four Ponds housing development in Lincroft has started construction.

How much more development can Middletown handle?
Middletown residents who wish to express their opinion about The Shoppes at Middletown should attend the Planning Board meeting on May 17th, 2017. Since the last 3 Planning Board meetings specifically for The Shoppes at Middletown development have been cancelled and rescheduled, it is unknown if this meeting will, in fact, happen. You can stay updated with Village 35 citizens action group on their Facebook page, and go to www.Stopvillage35.com for more information.