By Rod Hirsch
SBPA Executive Director
The fate of the long dormant Main Street redevelopment project, a new supermarket, a revitalized NJ Transit train station, the future of the borough landfill and other issues will be discussed in detail by Somerville Director of Economic Development Colin Driver at Scampi’s Restaurant April 20.

The dinner and open forum which begins at 7 p.m. is hosted by the Somerville Business & Professional Association.

The event will also honor longtime downtown merchant and developer Guy Hoyt who has retired from the SBPA executive board after several years of service.

The recent demolition of the former Somerville Shopping Center is seen as a new beginning for the blighted property, according to Drivert. Developer Jack Morris, owner of the 13.5-acre tract which stretches along West Main Street, has signed a letter of intent with the Saker family, owners of 26 New Jersey supermarkets, to build a ShopRite where the former Pathmark supermarket now stands empty at the southeastern corner of the tract along Veterans Memorial Drive.

Somerville has been without a supermarket since Pathmark closed its doors in October, 2007.

Preliminary plans call for ShopRite to expand the current building from 56,000 to 70,000 square feet, according Driver.Private financing would be involved, but Somerville stands to gain from a pilot project sponsored by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The Economic Redevelopment Growth Grant Program would permit the borough to bond for construction costs, with state sales tax revenue generated on the site helping to repay the bond.

Morris and his company, JSM Properties, had proposed an ambitious $65 million redevelopment project for the tract, having received final site plan approval from the borough in April, 2005, but the project has stalled over repeated disagreements between JSM and the borough.Bank failures and tightening credit have also stalled the project, according to Driver. JSM envisioned a mixed-use of brick storefronts and 153 residential apartments above the two-and three-story structures, with up to 160,000 square feet of retail space and parking.

Driver will talk about the borough’s Master Plan, West Main Street Redevelopment; the importance of Davenport Street; Landfill Redevelopment,     infrastructure and linkages; the East Central Business District Redevelopment and Kirby Avenue - addressing the needs of a neighborhood.

Reservations and payment of $16.95 is required for the buffet-style dinner, which includes a choice of penne con vodka; chicken Francaise; eggplant parmesan; sausage & peppers; tossed salad; rolls & butter; soda; homemade brownies for dessert and coffee & tea with a cash bar. Scampi’s is located at 198 W. Main St. Please call owner Bob Petix at (908) 685-1323 to make your reservation. Deadline is April 19th.