Woodbridge Officials Announce Start Of Demolition At Long-Abandoned Site

Woodbridge officials have announced the start of the the long-awaiting demolition of the General Dynamics site in the Avenel section of town.

The site will be turned into apartments, arts-retail space and a performing arts center.

Mayor John E. McCormac joined representatives of the Woodbridge Township Redevelopment Agency, Atlantic Realty Development Corporation and the Woodbridge Township Department of Planning and Development at a news conference Friday to discuss the plans for the abandoned site.

“The start of demolition marks the development of a $50 million project that will transform the vacant 27-acre industrial complex in Avenel into a vibrant new community - the Avenel Arts Village and Station Loft at Avenel,” McCormac said in a prepared statement. “The Avenel Arts Village and Station Loft at Avenel will enhance all of Avenel and will serve to create a sense of place. More importantly, the project will serve to increase property values for every home and property owner in Avenel.”

According to a news release, the Avenel Arts Village and Station Loft at Avenel will include:


• 500 apartment units that will be constructed in phases
• an Arts Village with more than 50,000 square feet of arts-themed retail space
• a performing arts center with artist studios, galleries, and rehearsal and performance space
• streetscape improvements, lighting, sidewalks, and parks and green space

Officials say NJ Transit supports the proposed development, and it is expected to develop plans to rehabilitate the Avenel Train Station and increase stops there.

Demolition and environmental remediation is expected to take six to eight months, according to Atlantic Realty. Construction is expected to begin by the spring of 2016, and phase one of construction is expected to be complete by early 2017.

In addition to the mayor, in attendance at the news conference were: Alan Schall, Project Developer, Atlantic Realty Development Corporation; Samuel Friedman, Project Executive, Atlantic Realty Development Corporation; Caroline Ehrlich, Director, Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency; Municipal Council President Michele Charmello (Third Ward/Avenel); Marta Lefsky, Director, Department of Planning & Development; Hank Haidacher, Chairman, Redevelopment Agency; and Avenel residents John Mitch and Cory Spillar.

Photos courtesy Woodbridge Township

Photos: Demolition begins at the General Dynamics site in the Avenel section of town; Mayor John E. McCormac; architect drawing of Avenel Arts Village and Station Loft at Avenel