VENTNOR – The Board of Commissioners March 27 set the wheels in motion to adopt a redevelopment plan for the Ventnor Professional Campus on Ventnor Avenue according to the NJ Local Housing and Redevelopment Law.
The property, which has been largely underutilized for years, is the former Troy Avenue School building.
“This process is the beginning,” Commissioner Lance Landgraf said. “After this, we will direct our Planning Board to review it to be consistent with our Master Plan. Then, it will come back to us with their recommendations for any changes.”
The building is 2.3 acres and includes nearly the entire block, except for Firehouse No. 1, which is located behind the property on the corner of Troy and Winchester avenues.
“This is a massive space in the city of Ventnor,” Mayor Tim Kriebel said. “That’s part of the reason I think it needs this kind of focus. It will have a big impact on that part of the city.”
The plan, which was created by Arthur Ponzio Co. of Atlantic City for the proposed redeveloper, DAJ Ventnor LLC of Philadelphia, will be sent to the Planning Board for its review and to ensure the plan is consistent with the city’s Master Plan, Landgraf said.
The next regularly schedule Planning Board meeting is 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 9. The agenda for the meeting has yet to be posted on the city’s website.
The redevelopment plan outlines a commercial mixed use development for the two-story brick structure fronting Ventnor Avenue with residential in the rear section. The former school building could include offices, retail and restaurant spaces. The rear of the property will be demolished to make way for residences that could include garden-style apartments or condominium flats, townhouses or single-family dwellings.
An interior roadway is included in the proposed site plan with residences lining both sides of the street and along Winchester Avenue. Landscaping spaces are proposed to beautify the area and maximize green space.
Ventnor Professional Campus redevelopment conceptual plan.Landgraf said the proposal maintains parking and will increase foot traffic in the downtown area while revitalizing the neighborhood.
The project could be phased in over a 30-year period and does not include the use of eminent domain.
The Planning Board will issue its recommendation to the governing body before the second reading of the ordinance, which is slated for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at City Hall, 6201 Atlantic Ave.
Public hearings will be held at each level of review.
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