Freehold gets set for new phase of redevelopment BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer FREEHOLD - A vision study aimed at helping the borough attract new businesses and making it a place more people want to visit is under way. Borough Administrator Joseph Bellina said an initial report prepared by David G. Roberts, a professional planner with Schoor, DePalma, of Manalapan, has been presented to the Borough Council. The borough received a $25,000 state grant in 2006 to help pay for the study. "This is a reason to be excited," Mayor Michael Wilson said. "We have a unique downtown area." Borough Attorney Kerry Higgins sought to address an issue that could be a concern to some property owners as the borough moves forward with a redevelopment plan. "This is not about the eminent domain (condemnation) you have seen in Asbury Park or Long Branch. We are not taking anything here. We are looking to establish design standards and looking at the zoning to see what direction development and redevelopment will take us with a certain vision in mind," Higgins said. The initial document prepared by Roberts lists the existing businesses in the downtown area, and provides maps and other information about the targeted zone. Wilson said that in the 1980s when officials began the renaissance of the town, they started small. Referring to the promenade on Main Street that lines what is referred to as restaurant row, as well as the renovation of Mechanic Street, Wilson said, "We started small and got the private sector involved." The mayor is hoping to once again enlist the support of the business community and the private sector as officials look to continue revitalizing the town. Comparing the downtown area to a baseball game, Wilson said, "We rounded third base years ago. We haven't quite scored yet. Even if we have to slide into home, we will get there." He said the borough's infrastructure is solid and the vision study will address parking issues and bring in Monmouth County's participation as a partner. Freehold Borough is the county seat and home to many county offices and employees. Wilson said the vision study will give officials "clear thought and a plan to breathe more life into the downtown area." Bellina said a great deal of money was spent on the infrastructure of the downtown area years ago. "Now it is time to see what we've got and what we've done and put it together to create a new vision," the administrator said. Bellina said the first step will be to declare the downtown as an area in need of rehabilitation. According to Roberts' report, the downtown study area is generally bounded by Throckmorton, Mechanic, Hudson, Center and Sheriff streets and Lafayette Place. This rehabilitative investigation study is based on state laws that set forth criteria that must be met in order for a delineated area to qualify as an area in need of rehabilitation. One criterion is that all buildings in the area must be more than 50 years old. The borough satisfies that criterion. The designation of an area in need of rehabilitation would enable the vision plan to be drafted as a redevelopment plan and be adopted by ordinance of the Borough Council. Once the redevelopment plan is adopted, municipal officials would have greater flexibility in working with the county and any interested private property owners with regard to addressing the more productive use of existing surface parking lots. If the council approves a resolution declaring the area to be in need of rehabilitation, the plan will be sent to the Planning Board for review and comment. After the board has reviewed and commented on the vision plan, the council can adopt it and the designation becomes official. Bellina said the $25,000 state grant will not totally cover the vision plan study, but will help to defray a good part of the expenses that will be incurred.