GLASSBORO — Construction of townhomes could start as early as July on a patchwork of parcels the borough owns on and near South Academy Street, an area Glassboro has struggled to redevelop.
Late last year, the Borough Council agreed to sell the real estate for $1.45 million to Woods Glassboro Properties Development LLC. The council also named the company the official redeveloper for the properties, which include lots that are vacant because of past demolitions.
The company will build 38 duplex townhome buildings over two phases, for a total of 76 residential units. The plan was approved after a lengthy public hearing Tuesday night before the Planning Board.
More:Newly shipshape Glassboro VFW hosts congressman with news for borough
More:Online love affair led woman to crime, one of many wrecked lives found in federal probe
“The development is going to be set up as a condominium, with the owner of each individual unit owning their unit,” company attorney Matthew Madden told the board. “But otherwise, the property will be owned and managed by a homeowners association.”
The first phase involves 13 buildings, built on two sites, on the west side of South Academy Street. All buildings are to be three stories tall.
The second phase involves 24 buildings, for another 48 residential units, on the east side of Academy Street and partially off Warrick Avenue. A clubhouse is part of phase two.
Frank Cifelli and Sean Frankel, two of the principals in the company, testified at the hearing.
Cifelli said phase two construction is tentatively slated to start in January 2025. The company has done projects with this style of townhome in the Philadelphia area with good success, he said.
Cifelli said the price range will start around $350,000. “We expect it to be a pretty successful development,” he said.
The project reached this stage after a lot of discussions with borough officials. One critical point was the borough desire to keep townhomes turning into rental properties for the college student population.
Cifelli said sale agreements will have provisions to make it difficult for investors to buy and turn around to rent a unit.
Borough Administrator Edward Malandro supported that claim, saying the company is adapting language the borough’s redevelopment attorney provided.
“This is a product that mayor and council have gone after for quite some time,” Malandro, an ex-councilman, said. “Academy Street? Trying to redevelop that? Again, I’ve been involved for close to 25 years now. And it’s been a struggle to redevelop that section of town. We think we have a great partner.”
On Thursday, Malandro said a closing date is not set for selling the land.
Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey 36 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.
Have a tip? Reach out atjsmith@thedailyjournal.com. Support local journalism with a subscription.
