Scotch Plains Downtown Could Look Very Different In Coming Years. Here’s What’s Planned.

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — A plan that could reshape downtown Scotch Plains for decades is moving forward, bringing the possibility of new apartments, retail space, public gathering areas and updated municipal buildings — while raising questions from residents about flooding, schools, parking and the future character of the township.

The proposed redevelopment would transform several township-owned properties, including municipal parking areas, into a new downtown district featuring approximately 350 residential apartments, ground-floor retail space, public plazas, a new town hall, an updated library and a new public safety building.

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The project, presented by township officials and Woodmont Properties, is expected to take place over seven to 10 years and is also a key part of Scotch Plains’ affordable housing compliance plan.

For officials, the redevelopment represents an opportunity to modernize downtown while maintaining control over how future growth happens in the township.

For residents, the proposal has brought a mix of interest and concern about what the changes could mean for the community.

Director of Planning and Community Development Tom Strow said the township’s current plan helps protect Scotch Plains from losing control over future development decisions.

“We will lose control of the process by continuing with this plan and continuing with what the Superior Court has ordered,” Stroh said.

The concept of changing downtown Scotch Plains has been discussed for decades, with township officials pointing to planning studies dating back nearly 50 years.

The township selected Woodmont Properties as the designated redeveloper in 2023, and officials recently presented more detailed plans for how the project could move forward.

The redevelopment would happen in phases.

The first step would be construction of a new public safety building on Plainfield Avenue to house police, fire and rescue services.

Once those services relocate, Woodmont would begin work on the area currently used as the Town Hall parking lot. That phase would include a mixed-use building with retail space, apartments and a new public plaza designed for community events, outdoor dining and gatherings.

Later phases would include a new town hall and library in the rescue squad area, followed by redevelopment of the current library site.

Officials said the goal is to create a more active downtown while preserving the character of Scotch Plains. The proposal includes approximately 10,000 square feet of retail space and a public plaza near the Alan M. Augustine Village Green, which officials said would remain protected.

Parking has also been a major issue for residents. Officials said the redevelopment would replace all 311 existing public parking spaces, with public parking remaining available in the new garage structures.

But some of the biggest questions from residents focused less on the buildings themselves and more on how the project could affect everyday life in Scotch Plains.

Flooding was one of the concerns raised during the public discussion.

Chris Miguel, a Sycamore Avenue resident, questioned whether current stormwater requirements are enough given recent severe weather.

“We had eight inches last summer in two hours... so to design it to the regulations is insufficient,” Miguel said.

Project representatives said each phase of the redevelopment would need to comply with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection stormwater requirements.

Stephen Santola, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Woodmont Properties, said the project could improve stormwater management compared with the existing surface parking lots, which currently do not have stormwater controls.

“I’m not saying Scotch Plains is never going to flood again,” Santola said. “But we’re certainly going to not exacerbate the problem, and probably to a certain extent mitigate the problem.”

Another major discussion involved the potential financial impact of the redevelopment, including the use of Payment in Lieu of Taxes, or PILOT agreements.

Eric Fellin, a Gallagher Avenue resident, questioned whether a PILOT agreement could affect funding for local schools.

“This is what’s hurting the schools,” Fellin said. “We ask that you all invest in the families and the children here, Scotch Plains, and give back to the school.”

Santola said PILOT agreements do not change the school district’s budgeting process and said the township remains responsible for required school funding obligations.

Officials said they plan to hold a separate public information session focused specifically on PILOT agreements and their financial impacts.

Residents also raised concerns about preserving community spaces, including the outdoor theater stage behind Town Hall that has hosted Stars Theater performances for more than a decade.

Kayla Fury, a Newark Avenue resident, said preserving spaces like the theater is important for future generations.

“If redevelopment does not include a space like this, you’re not just taking away a stage, you’re taking away a place where generations of children have learned to express themselves, support one another, and feel seen,” Fury said.

Santola said Woodmont supports preserving arts and community programming as part of the redevelopment.

“We agree with you 1,000% and we’ll deliver on that,” he said.

The redevelopment proposal remains in the planning process, and no final construction schedule has been announced.

Additional public discussions are expected as the township continues evaluating the future of downtown Scotch Plains and how to balance redevelopment, affordable housing requirements and the community’s existing character.