An issue regarding the redevelopment of the Pennsauken Mart site has been settled. Progress on the redevelopment project, known as Renaissance Walk was in jeopardy. Here are the details according to the Courier-Post:
The Camden County Improvement Authority approved an out-of-court settlement Tuesday with two home builders who claimed their proposals to develop the former Pennsauken Mart site were treated improperly.
Plaintiffs K. Hovnanian Enterprises Inc., and D’Anastasio Corp. of Pennsauken, will have “certain negotiation rights” on land left over after the authority’s chosen developer completes its project.
Scarborough Properties will continue developing a large apartment complex on the site, according to a resolution passed by the board.
Additional details were not released Tuesday because all parties had not signed the agreement, authority counsel said.
Neither John D’Anastasio, nor his lawyer, Jeffrey Baron of Voorhees, was available Tuesday for comment.
The 35-acre site is at the intersection of routes 73, 90 and 130.
The settlement does not call for a cash payment to either party.
The suit had the potential to stop or delay work on the mart site, which has been a financial and public relations train wreck since 2000.
The board also approved spending $85,000 for unanticipated environmental issues at the site, including ground water and soil contaminated with tetrachloroethene, widely used for dry cleaning of fabrics and for metal degreasing.
The former mart — now called Renaissance Walk — appears to be back on track
The settlement was announced at a meeting of the Authority.
What I find curious in the Courier’s article is the following:
Director Terrence M. Carr said he did “not want to vote” on two of the related resolutions and abstained on a third.
Carr would not comment on why.
Overall, Carr abstained on six of eight votes Tuesday. Three dealt with the Pennsauken Mart. Carr is a Pennsauken resident and a township employee.
What’s up with that? While Carr is not compelled to explain, I think he has a moral obligation to his neighbors in Pennsauken to explain his actions.
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