In South Orange: Choices Narrowing For Ex-Animal Shelter Building

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The choices are narrowing down for the future of 298 Walton Avenue in South Orange, the former home of the Jersey Animal Coalition shelter (JAC).

The South Orange Board of Trustees hosted a public meeting on Dec. 1 to inform the community about the plan to present a five-year contract to one of four bidders, each of which has a different vision for the now-defunct animal shelter,

JAC administrators had partially blamed their decision to close the shelter due to lack of support from South Orange and Maplewood.

• See related article: South Orange No-Kill Animal Shelter Closing

The choices – which can be seen in more depth in this Tap Into SOMA report – include:

• People for Animals – Proposing a “strict seven-day sheltering service” for the Village of South Orange for lost and stray animals, in addition to spay and neuter services
• Run Jump Lift – Proposing a locally owned health and fitness center
• The Wagmore Inn – Proposing a kennel and grooming service
• South Mountain YMCA – Proposing aftercare for 35 children on weeknights, as well as summer camps and other community events

In a previous request for proposals, village officials wrote that the property is located in a designated rehabilitation area as defined under the New Jersey Local Redevelopment and Housing Law.

Village officials sought proposals that address the following goals:

• "The adaptive re-use of the building formerly occupied by the Jersey Animal Coalition as an animal shelter, preserving and utilizing existing structure and the creation of a use and occupancy that is in scale and compatible with the surrounding neighborhood and the ongoing Department of Public Works operations on the same site"
• "Creation of uses which enhance the quality of life in the village and which are consistent with the character of the community"

The property is a portion of Block 2301 Lot 1, which is a 20-acre parcel which also houses the Village’s Department of Public Works. The portion of the property being offered consists of a 5,400 square-foot building, attached parking lot and fenced rear yard area.

“It is the intention of the village to authorize and approve any prospective lease and occupancy through the adoption of a redevelopment plan authorizing the use and thereafter the designation of a redeveloper and the execution of a redevelopment agreement,” South Orange officials stated.

PATCH READER POLL: What development plan is the best use for 298 Walton Avenue? Take the reader poll below and tell us why you voted that way in the comments section.

Patch file photo

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<a href="http://polldaddy<span id="selection-marker-1" class="redactor-selection-marker"></span>.com/poll/9603834/">What would you like to see at 298 Walton Avenue, South Orange?</a>