Riverton project advances: Bass Pro shell rising, utilities under construction

Developers and the agency’s engineers reported major construction milestones for the Riverton development at the Jan. 9 Sayreville Economic Redevelopment Agency meeting, saying the Bass Pro Shop structure will be topped out by March and that significant utility work is under way.

Mark and Kevin, representatives from Riverton, told commissioners the structural steel is in place and that the developer expects to complete the steel framework within the next two to three months. They said utilities are being brought from the road to the site, and that planning required larger utility infrastructure—electric and gas lines sized for a multibuilding development rather than a single storefront—had taken roughly two years of coordination with utility companies.

Justin, the agency engineer, said contractors are currently bringing utilities into the site and that the developer is building the warm shell for Bass Pro; the retailer is expected to apply for its interior building permit in the coming weeks. Mark said the developer has completed an amended lease agreement with Bass Pro and a ground lease with Quick Chek, and that follow-on trades for interior work are lining up.

Why it matters: The Riverton project is a major redevelopment effort in Sayreville that agency staff and commissioners described as a long-awaited implementation of the borough’s master plan for the property. The scale of the utilities work and the developer’s plans for a large destination store suggest a multi-phase development that will require ongoing coordination with utilities and permitting agencies.

Additional details from the meeting: The developer said the core-and-shell trades are about 82% bought out for the core building. The agency’s engineer described ongoing coordination with the Middlesex County Building Trades and noted unusual planning requirements because the site is being prepared for a multi-building “city” rather than a typical single-use commercial connection. The developer indicated a topping-out ceremony is planned for March or April, with the preference to wait for slightly warmer weather.

What the agency will do next: Staff said a new year update meeting will be scheduled with the Riverton team and agency personnel to review milestones and upcoming plans. The developer indicated additional site-plan approvals will appear before the agency later in the year.