Mayor's Message: Lincoln Statue Park - Our Enduring Legacy
The improbable scenario became the possible which became the dominant unheralded sweeping victory for Middlesex Borough. In light of the recent devastating damage to the Creighton Lake, the ongoing Covid mess, and all the related mandatory lifestyle changes, we can now celebrate the victory that the Borough won with an arduous legal defense to keep a five-story apartment building from encroaching into our revered park. The redeveloper included and maintained plans for utilizing a portion of our park all along for their purposes to construct the apartment building. No compromise on this point was put forth by them. Not only was this infringement an unacceptable action in an attempt to acquire a portion of the park, but this redevelopment area is part of the “Town Center Focus Area.“
In the Beginning: Application Denied
Borough Officials and residents spoke assertively and unambiguously to prevent this mixed-use project – which would have added another 63 apartments with ROR (residential over retail) – from becoming a reality. The original plan by said redeveloper called for preliminary and major site plan and subdivision approvals including many deviations and design waivers. In other words, they wanted to construct the building but wanted their changes to be approved that our Joint Land Use Board (JLUB) and Borough Professionals would not allow many of their changes. The application was summarily denied. Since there was a significant portion of the park (also called Lincoln Monument Park ) that would have been permanently lost to the redeveloper including the paper street, (Cronk Place,) our JLUB through the attorney, Mr. William P. Robertson mounted a very comprehensive defense which challenged the redeveloper on many points.
The initial meetings started on October 26, 2017 and continued until February 16, 2021 where the lawsuit, initiated by the redeveloper, was settled in Superior Court. Finally, on June 17, 2021, the court adjudged and ordered the dismissal of the Plaintiff’s (redeveloper) application.
Holding Our Breath
We were holding our breath while sweating it out awaiting for their next move that allowed the Plaintiff a 45 day appeal period to challenge the said decision. The Plaintiff repudiated the denial but ultimately terminated any further action for an appeal.
Reflecting on this lengthy process in which Middlesex Borough prevailed, speaks volumes of the dedication, perseverance, and professional collaboration of which all parties participated in this important victory. At least the legacy of the Lincoln Statue Park will thrive and continue perhaps until the next challenge. Middlesex Borough will be ready in the future and this experience will greatly give us the wisdom and direction as we soon prepare for the revision of our Master Plan. Thank you all for the opportunity to be part of this wonderful team including our staff and professionals at Borough Hall.
Mayor John L. Madden