An architect’s concept for a shopping center at the corner of Shrewsbury Avenue and Drs. James Parker Boulevard in Red Bank. The view is to the southwest. (Click to enlarge)
A Red Bank builder plans to go before the borough planning board next week seeking feedback on a project that’s still in the “concept” phase: a shopping center on Shrewsbury Avenue at Drs. James Parker Boulevard.
General contractor Russ Crosson requested the hearing, at which board members are expected to offer their concerns, but won’t hold an up-or-down vote, says planning office director Donna Smith Barr.
Crosson tells redbankgreen he’s trying to determine if it’s worth going ahead with a formal proposal.
“We’re going to put it in front of them,” says Crosson, whose office is in a house he recently gutted and restored on Wallace Street. “If they say no, I can massage some other ideas.”
The center, tentatively called Crosson’s Corner, would be situated on the southwest corner of the intersection, where Crosson owns several vacant lots, as well as one featuring a small brick building that formerly housed his business.
He also owns a house on Shrewsbury Avenue that would be razed if the plan goes ahead, he says.
According to documents filed with the planning office, the center would consist of an L-shaped shopping area with 6,300 square feet of retail lining the south and west property lines at street level. Another 2,400 square feet would be used as office space on a second level. Some underground parking would be provided for employees only.
A second building of about 1,400 square feet would be situated closed to the corner.
Crosson says he hasn’t got any tenants lined up yet, but told Smith Barr in an email that he envisions stores such as Subway, Starbucks, Verizon, Rita’s Ice and UPS there.
According to a letter from Crosson’s attorney, Mark Aikins, the proposal meets the requirements of the BR2 zone in which it sits, but would need board approval for a consolidation of lots and site plan.
The hearing is scheduled for 6:30p on Monday, March 15 at borough hall. Here’s the agenda: 03-15-10planningboardagenda
