Vornado Realty Trust, Inc., a Bergen County-based firm that is one of the largest owners and managers of real estate in the nation, has reached a deal to redevelop the now-defunct APA Trucking Company's lot and depot.
The area will feature two giant retail stores that have yet to be determined, as well as six smaller stores, a bank, a restaurant, and parking for more than 2,000 vehicles.
The complex will be spread out across the property formerly owned by APA, between 85th and 91st streets off Tonnelle Avenue.
Township administrator Chris Pianese confirmed that the township has been in major contract negotiations with Vornado about the property and that a Planning Board hearing is scheduled for next week to discuss the plans for the project.
"From what I understand, the closing has not taken place, so there is no official deal," Pianese said. "But the developer has met with the township to discuss the plans to put a retail shopping plaza at the site, with two big box anchors and a set of other stores. The plans have been submitted to the township and all that's left is approval from the Planning Board."
Recreation facility According to Pianese and a published report in the Record of Hackensack, Vornado is in negotiations with the Hudson County Schools of Technology to have the HCST purchase the APA recreational facility (basketball courts and swimming pool) before the development of the commercial area takes place.
Under a lease agreement, High Tech High School has been using the old APA recreation center as its home court for basketball games and practices for the last four years.
Vornado, which owns the Bergen Mall in Paramus and owns and operates the supermarket and retail facility on 14th Street and Kennedy Boulevard in the township, will make a formal presentation to the Planning Board later this week.
If the Planning Board approves and the contracts are signed between Vornado and APA, then the construction on the project can begin as soon as possible.
Pianese will ask for the project to include a left-hand turn lane off Tonnelle Avenue at 91st Street into the shopping center, which would aid traffic flow and also add easier access to those heading to the proposed municipal swimming pool facility, slated to be built behind this new shopping center.
"That lane would benefit the developer and the township in the long run," Pianese said.
'Win-win' Fort Lee-based attorney Dennis Oury is representing the developer, officially called Vornado North Bergen Tonnelle Plaza, LLC. Oury did not return phone calls at press time, but was quoted in another newspaper as the project being a "win-win" for the township.
Pianese agreed.
"Although APA has been paying their taxes, the time has come to develop the property," Pianese said. "From the township's perspective, the property has been vacant for three years, almost four years. The developer has a positive plan for the township. It should be a very desirable commercial strip."
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