Toms River To Buy Downtown Property For $1.85M

TOMS RIVER – The Mayor and Township Council introduced and approved two ordinances to buy the downtown boat works site and turn it into riverfront access.

The property located across the street from the Water Street Bar and Grill on Robbins Parkway has been described as being weather-beaten and containing mold.

The first ordinance introduced at the Township Council meeting appropriated $2 million for the issuance of $1,904,761 in bonds for the acquisition of property for municipal purposes.

Bonds are when a town borrows money. A town always bonds a little more than needed for soft costs like legal paperwork, and because state law requires the town to put up 5%.

The second ordinance seeks the township’s purchase of the boat works at 1 Robbins Parkway for the purchase price of $1,850,000.

Mayor Daniel Rodrick called the purchase “a great opportunity for us to step in. We are talking about making it into a park, making it into a pier.” The project would provide residents more access to the Toms River, and expand activities within Huddy Park.

The project would also serve to stop any private development of the municipality’s waterfront.

Not all officials were comfortable with how the proposal came about.

Councilman James Quinlisk voted against the acquisition, stating there was a lack of “due diligence” performed on the property. He noted that an environmental study of the old boat works needed to be updated.

“We also don’t have a written plan of what the mayor’s plans are for the property,” Quinlisk added. He would like to see a committee formed to look at options for the site.

Mayor Rodrick said that Quinlisk and Councilman David Ciccozzi, who abstained on the vote to acquire the boat works, had supported prior plans for a restaurant and banquet hall on the site.

Rodrick stated that the developer of that plan, Capodagli Property Company, had withdrawn its proposal, which never reached the planning board. He said an environmental study of the property had indicated it was clean, but the township will do another study after the purchase is finalized.

The mayor wanted to see a concession stand similar to the Red Fox Beach Bar & Grill in Island Beach State Park added to the property that will need new bulkheads. Rodrick told the audience that “you have my word” that the project would not be used for development. Audience members laughed and jeered at the mayor’s remark.

Ciccozzi expressed that the mayor’s word wasn’t worth much. “That’s what you said about keeping the animal shelter open.”

A public hearing on the bond ordinance concerning the purchase of the boat works is set for 7 p.m. at the July 24 council meeting in town hall.

Sixteen months ago, then Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill and members of council and township professionals reviewed a proposal by a private company, Linden-based Capodagli, to redevelop that property.

The idea didn’t get much support from those in the audience at the time. Former Mayor Mark Mutter was among those who shared their opinions, opposing the redevelopment and recommended community meetings and discussion concerning efforts to restore the troubled downtown.

Mutter, who is currently the township historian, previously practiced law in the township, and served as township clerk. He said he was opposed to the plans that had been proposed.

In the spring of 2023, the governing body held off voting on a plan that would extend the designation of Capodagli as the redeveloper for the former boat works facility.

“Redeveloper” is a term for a developer who is building on land that already has buildings. The designation of “redeveloper” gives the company access to funding and also allows a town to have more control over what is being built.