The Lakewood Industrial Commission (LIC) has spent a number of years planning for "The Hub" - two new buildings to be constructed at Lakewood Airport.
The buildings will consist of the following:
• A one-story Airport Terminal building with a footprint of 30,158 square feet, and a “Transitional Aircraft Apron”
• A six-story, 105.5 feet high building with approximately 463,500 square feet of office and retail space
The massive project is being undertaken through a public - private partnership with Simcha Ingber. Essentially, the partnership permits Mr. Ingber to construct his 6-story building in exchange for building the terminal building for the Township. Additionally, the rental revenue from the building will be shared between Mr. Ingber and the Township.
Plans have just advanced for this long-term project as the LIC has recently submitted a Freshwater Wetlands General Permit application to the New Jersey Department of Protection, FAA News has now learned.
As previously reported here on FAA News, back in November 2023, the Lakewood Zoning Board approved the height variance for the project.
The LIC was represented by Attorney Adam Pfeffer Esq., Engineer Brian Flannery, Traffic Expert Scott Kennel, and Architect Shimon Greenbaum.
The project professionals told the Board that an anticipated 1,200 - 1,400 employees will work in these buildings.
A total of 1617 parking spaces (including credits for 111 proposed EV spaces) will be provided. Board members questioned if there will be sufficient parking. Mr. Kennel confidently assured the Board that "he's got everything under control."
Mr. Kennel testified to the Board that the driveways will provide new access to the airport directly from Airport Road. Additionally, Ocean County officials have conceptually approved the modification of the traffic signal at Airport Road/GSP parkway ramp to make it a 4-way signal. In addition, a left turn lane will be installed from Cedar Bridge Avenue into the airport, a right turn lane will be installed from Cedar Bridge Avenue onto Airport Road, and a left turn lane will be installed from Airport Road into the new airport driveway.
Board member Moish Lankry asked if this will provide ratables for the Township or if it will be completely tax exempt. Mr. Flannery started to explain, "there will be tax abatements at the beginning, but eventually..." Board Chairman Abe Halberstam shut him down, saying, "we are not going to discuss taxes here."
This project is still a long way off from becoming "physical." Due to the size of the project and its location along Cedarbridge Avenue, this project will require review and approval by Ocean County Engineering (road/circulation/stormwater management) as well as NJDEP Land Use (CAFRA) approval.
LIC Executive Director Steve Reinman testified that the idea, which has been in planning stages for multiple years, is an "opportunity to create something that doesn't exist in this area." He stated that the project will include a convention center, which will be commercially available for public use, as well as a restaurant.
He added that these new uses will provide a massive boost to airport traffic.
Prior to the Zoning Board's public hearing on the application, Lakewood Board of Fire Commissioners member Larry Loigman expressed concerns regarding the proposed height of this project. Yet, Fire Chief Jonathan Yahr did not agree to send any formal letter to the Zoning Board regarding these concerns. Of interest is that the general counsel to the Board of Fire Commissioners is Ian Goldman who is Adam Pfeffer's partner.
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2 comments:
Why do we give businesses tax abetments?
Rumor has it that chemed is building a hospital there.
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