SOUTH RIVER – A new grocery store is part of a redevelopment plan for the former Laffin Chevrolet location at the corner of Main and Reid streets.
Brothers Builders PJ, LLC, the designated redeveloper of the property, has applied to the Planning Board for preliminary and final approval of the major site plan for the development of a mixed-use building at 7 and 11 Main St. (County Route 535) and 1, 3 and 7 Reid St, according to documents filed with the city. The campground is located near the Main Street entrance to South River from Sayreville via the Veteran's Memorial Bridge.
Port Plaza will contain 17 apartments; a 13,357-square-foot grocery store, Seabra Foods; an approximately 2,711-square-foot wine store and an approximately 3,927-square-foot prepared food café, with associated site improvements, the documents said.
The project will include ample parking, a small park and a walkway against the waterfront, Mayor Peter Guindi said.
No variance reduction is required for the proposed development. If the application is approved, the plots will be consolidated. The property is located in Subzone 150 of the Lower Main Street Redevelopment Area, where the proposed use is permitted.
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In October 2016, the City Council adopted the Lower Main Street Redevelopment Plan. The plan for the Laffin site was recently amended and approved by the Borough Council and will now go before the Planning Board for approval, city officials said.
The long-awaited project has been in the works for about a decade, the mayor said.
“It's incredible what they're doing,” Guindi said. “You're going to see a beautiful start to Main Street. No more dilapidated buildings. This is the trail to South River. This is the beginning of redevelopment for the residents of South River.”
Guindi said that last year, when he ran for mayor, he made good on the promise of redevelopment in the municipality.
“We have to stop dragging our feet,” he said. 'We need to stop talking about excuses and start doing and that's exactly what I'm doing. I worked with the government to make this happen. Now we're on our way to redeveloping all of Main Street as well. as Water Street and the Causeway Waterfront Zone.”
The mayor said a groundbreaking for Port Plaza has already been scheduled for Nov. 9 at 10 a.m.
A hearing on the application is scheduled for the Planning Board meeting on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.
Seabra Foods specializes in ethnic products imported from Portugal, Spain, Brazil and other South American countries, according to its website. Headquartered in Newark, the family-owned company operates grocery stores throughout the East Coast.
The family also owns The Armory, a restaurant in Perth Amboy, city officials said.
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Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To gain unlimited access to her work, subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: South River NJ redevelopment plan includes Seabra Foods supermarket
