Sayreville redevelopment agency reports Riverton remediation progress, sets ANR study schedule

The Sayreville Redevelopment Agency on March 13 reported continued remediation progress at the Riverton redevelopment site, outlined a timeline for Area in Need of Redevelopment (ANR) studies that will begin with the former JCP&L property, and noted that the Riverton Parcel B/C connection road was added to the NJTPA Transportation Improvement Plan.

The executive director told commissioners the Riverton Parcel B and C work is advancing and that the agency received an email from the site’s environmental consultant describing “how close to the end of that process they are.” The executive director added that the NJTPA has accepted the Riverton connection road into the Transportation Improvement Plan but cautioned, “All federal grants are currently on hold.”

The update matters because acceptance into the NJTPA plan is a prerequisite step toward federal funding through the Federal Transit Administration; the agency’s representative said the project is closer to eligibility for a study grant but that a final award remains uncertain while federal grants are on hold.

Agency planner Nira described the formal ANR process the planning board and council must follow. “So, basically, there are multiple steps,” Nira said, explaining that the planning board must hold hearings and pass a resolution before the council can designate an area in need of redevelopment and then adopt a redevelopment plan through ordinance procedures. Nira said the first ANR presentation will focus on the former JCP&L property on River Road and is slated for the planning board meeting advertised for April 2; two additional study areas (Main Street/Crossman Road and Route 9/Unston Road) are scheduled for hearings in May, followed by the former Sunshine Biscuit site.

Agency staff also reported ongoing outreach for the Main Street downtown revitalization effort: letters were mailed to property and business owners inviting participation and scheduled stakeholder meetings later in March to seek input on infrastructure and business-support options. Separately, the engineering office said it is finishing a Main Street speed study and has requested traffic data from the Acereville Police Department to evaluate potential traffic-calming measures; that study is expected to be completed next week and may be presented to the commission for action in April.

Commissioners discussed related transportation projects. Staff said a county widening at Crossman Road is already under construction and is expected to be on site in June; the Crossman work will create additional eastbound capacity and may require modeling at points where two lanes narrow to one. Commissioners noted potential impacts on the Main Street townhouse area and near the former Sunglow Bakery property.

During commissioner comments a resident-condition issue was raised about two disused bus shelters on Main Street that are in poor repair. Commissioners and staff said the municipality may request county permission to remove or repair shelters on county right-of-way; one staff member was asked to inspect the shelters and follow up with next steps.

Formal business at the meeting included approval of minutes and payment of bills. The commission approved the Feb. 13, 2025 minutes by roll-call vote and voted to authorize payment of bills totaling approximately $62,007.85, split between an operating portion and an escrow portion as presented at the meeting.

The agency opened and closed a public comment period with no members of the public speaking, and the meeting adjourned after the routine business was completed.

What happens next: the planning board is scheduled to hear the JCP&L ANR presentation on April 2; staff signaled it will circulate the ANR studies to commissioners and coordinate engineering review as redevelopment plans advance.