MARMORA — “We never leave. We are going to be a community member,” Beesleys Point Development Group partner Chris Wilson told those gathered for a business mixer earlier this month.
The Upper Township Business Association welcomed members new and old — as well as one particular potential new member from whom everyone wanted to hear — during the event Oct. 6 at Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern.
Those in attendance — including UTBA President Steve Zellers, secretary Liz Foglio, treasurer Ralph Cooper and emcee extraordinaire Blanche Adams — were eager to find out the plans of BPDG.
Representatives had been invited to share their proposal for redevelopment of the former B.L. England Generating Station property abutting Great Egg Harbor Bay.
Wilson and David Kreutz, joined later by Tim Niedwiecki, chatted with organization officials and members over cocktails and sandwiches until Adams began a round-robin. Representatives introduced themselves and shared a little bit about their business.
New members included Robin and Michael Halpern, owners of Engine One Vineyards who are working to open a winery, and Chris and Dave Kester of Kester Fireplace at 1235 Route 9 in the former Smith Jewelers building. Veteran members included Broadley’s Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Sturdy Savings Bank, Dino’s Diner, Foglio’s Flooring, Yes She Can!, Ocean View Chiropractic Center, Mary Kay Cosmetics and First Bank of Sea Isle.
“We are really looking forward to being involved with the local community and the local business community,” Wilson said.
Those hoping to hear a detailed plan for the property were disappointed, but the partners did share some general concepts, including a dedication to creating open space and being a friend to nature.
“We are going to be nontraditional as far as real estate redevelopment goes,” Wilson said.
Kreutz said it’s “very early in this redevelopment,” noting the immediate focus is getting the plant and smoke stack down safely and completing the environmental cleanup.
He said his particular area of expertise or oversight is the park portion of the property, which will have trails, green space and wildlife habitat.
“It’s kind of overwhelming what’s out there — I’m a big birder, naturalist — so there’s so much to do with green space, which will be a major focus of ours,” Kreutz said. “You’re going to be very pleased with what we do there.”
He said they will plant native species and focus on birding and nature.
“It’s a magical place and needs to be enjoyed by everybody,” he said. “It’s not going to happen overnight, but we will be working hard in a lot of areas that have to do with nature, green space and public access.”
Wilson said they are way ahead of schedule on the demolition and expected to be done by the end of the first quarter next year.
“From that point onward, we will be working very closely with the township to develop our vision,” Wilson said. “It’s coming along incredibly well but it’s way too premature to get into anything specific.”
He did say the project would have a community space with public access to the bay.
Councilwoman Kim Hayes said the township is looking forward to working further with the BPDG.
“We are happy to have them engaged in the community and answering these questions,” Hayes said. “We’re going to have a lot of collaboration about what you want to see, what we want to see and what’s best for that project and best for the township.”
“It’s a community space and we want the community to feel like it’s a community space,” Kreutz said.
After the plant finally closed, the Upper Township Planning Board supported designating the site an area in need of redevelopment. That designation gave the township broad powers to redevelop the site, parts of which were vacant for decades.
BPDG bought the property in November 2021.
On Sept. 29, Controlled Demolition Inc. conducted a two-stage implosion that brought the cooling tower down.
“We have some exciting things being put together with the township and are tirelessly working on advancing the project,” Wilson wrote in an email last week. “It is always tough coordinating something like this with so many agencies and organizations, but we plan on creating something for the community that is beyond compare in the great state of New Jersey.”
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff