Officials on right track with Foodtown site

Iread with interest a recent editorial printed by a daily newspaper titled "Fifth Option in Brick" regarding the proposed redevelopment of the former Foodtown site located on Route 70 in Brick Township.

That editorial suggests that township officials consider utilizing the site for the construction of a community center and public park. Interesting since the community has made it quite clear over the last several months that they are not in favor of the township investing funds in the construction of a community center.

There were discussions for several years regarding the construction of a community center on property located behind the post office on Chambers Bridge Road which was sold and then later, the Foodtown site, which then was considered for the same use. In both cases the estimated cost of the construction of a community center was in the $25 million-$30 million range.

It was clear that residents didn't support construction of a community center on the Ice Palace property for which the highest estimate read about was $25 million. Why would anyone think they would support a project costing twice as much? They asked in the letter that if the facility were not constructed on the Foodtown site, where would it go? Nowhere — the people don't want one.

The township has actively pursued construction of a hotel in Brick for the past two decades. The Foodtown site had been identified as the prime location for such a facility since it was closed over a decade ago.

Now the township has taken an innovative approach to redeveloping the site, paying off the debt incurred to acquire it that will generate hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in property tax revenues and they are being criticized?

Quite the contrary, they should be commended for taking a wellreasoned approach to utilizing this site for the township's maximum advantage. Yes, traffic is a problem in the area. It has been for a long time. The township has done more to address the traffic problems on Route 70 than the state and the county, both of whom should be accountable for keeping up with the needs of the community.

I am confident that township officials will make those involved with the redevelopment of the Foodtown site address the traffic issues for which they are responsible.

I live in the United States of America where we have something known as representative democracy. We elect people to make decisions that are in the best interest of our community. We get a chance every four years to vote them out if we don't approve of their performance.

Lately it seems like people are advocating the town meeting form of government, which is unrealistic in a town with 80,000 residents. I for one am glad the mayor and council are taking a proactive approach to putting this long dormant property back on the tax rolls.

Harry Vogel

Brick