Woodmont wins Haddonfield downtown redevelopment assignment

Haddonfield took another step toward its revamp of the Bancroft Site, designating Woodmont Properties last week as conditional redeveloper for the downtown parcel.

The borough board of commissioners adopted the resolution May 13. The 8.2-acre property consists of a portion of the site located along Kings Highway, east of Hopkins Lane and in the vicinity of Haddonfield Memorial High School and Pennypacker Park.

"Woodmont Properties is a well-established, regional developer with an impressive track record of successful redevelopment throughout New Jersey, and we're thrilled to have their partnership on this project," commented Haddonfield Mayor Colleen Bianco Bezich. "The Borough has been focused on finding the best path forward for the Bancroft Site, and we are excited to work with Woodmont to make this a truly community-centered and welcoming gateway to our Borough."

Minutes from the meeting are not available on Haddonfield's website. A borough representative did not immediately respond with details as to when they will post.

Fairfield-based Woodmont has more than 60 years' experience developing, building, marketing and investing in residential and commercial properties. Its statewide redevelopment track record includes residential and mixed-use projects in Morristown , Saddle River, Cranford, Red Bank and Metuchen .

Bumpy road

Plans to reinvigorate the Bancroft Site date back to 2015. At that time, a developer agreed to purchase the 8.2-acre property. Drama ensued, stemming from public outcry over potential uses for the land. Last June, the borough ultimately agreed to pay $3.25 million to settle a lawsuit brought by that redeveloper.

Under that settlement, 2 Hopkins Lane LLC also terminated a February 2019 agreement naming it redeveloper for the plot, Courier Post reported in 2023 .

A new request for qualifications and proposals for the redevelopment area launched in May 2023 . Haddonfield reportedly evaluated nine proposals from regional developers before selecting Woodmont to lead the work.



In a statement, Woodmont Executive Vice President and General Counsel Stephen described Haddonfield as a premier New Jersey community.

"Woodmont is honored to have been entrusted with the redevelopment of this important site in the Borough’s Historic District, steps from downtown,” he said. “We look forward to partnering with the Borough and leveraging our expertise in redevelopment to transform the Bancroft Site and bring it to its full potential.”

A public presentation of the project will take place June 17. At that time, the community will be able to offer feedback.

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