COUNCIL MULLS BLIGHT TAG AS ATLANTIC CLUB BUYS FOODTOWN FOR $13.5M

(Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)

By BRIAN DONOHUE

Several pieces are falling into place on a developer’s plan to build an unannounced number of townhomes on stretch of properties including the Atlantic Club on Maple Avenue.

 

Genesis Health Clubs, the national chain that owns the club and spa at 325 Maple Avenue, recently completed a $13.5 million purchase of the nearby former Super Foodtown, where it’s planning to relocate. 

 

Meanwhile, the Borough Council will Thursday consider a resolution that marks a step forward in a developer’s plan to turn that current health club site into townhomes.

 

The Council will vote on a proposal to ask the Planning Board to begin the process of declaring the 13-property tract an area in need of rehabilitation, a designation which could rezone the property and make it eligible for a short-term tax break – even though the developer says he won’t be seeking one. 

 

 

The former union hall at the corner of Wikoff Place and Maple Avenue (above) and the “mushroom house” (below) are among the properties included in the plan. (Photo by Brian Donohue)

 

A deed filed with the Monmouth County clerk on September 4, shows Genesis Health Clubs RB LLC completed its purchase of the former Super Foodtown property for $13.5 million. 

 

Food Circus Supermarkets closed the store in May, ending a 50-year-run in town by the Scaduto and Azzolina families who owned it.

 

The Atlantic Club announced plans to move to the site hours after the store closure was announced. 

 

Developer Roger Mumford last September said he was under contract to purchase 14 properties in the area, most owned by companies associated with the Azzolina family. 

The 14 properties originally included the 3.4 acre Atlantic Club property and adjacent parking lots; the distinctive home referred to as “the mushroom house” at the corner of Broad and Wikoff; and one property north of that address on Broad Street.

In an interview with redbankgreen Wednesday, Mumford said he plans to add additional properties to the project.

He also stressed he had no plans to seek any property tax break for which the project might be elibigle under the “area in need of rehabilitation” designation. “Absolutely not,” he said of any plans to seek an abatement. 

The bulk of the properties mentioned by Mumford are owned by Twin Lights Holdings LLC, a company managed by Joseph Azzolina Jr., whose family operated the Super Foodtown on the other side of Wikoff Place for decades. 

A search of Monmouty County Property records this week did not turn up any documents indicating those sales had been finalized.

Additional details on the status of Mumford’s proejct – and the proposal to declare the area in need of rehabilitation – were scarce at the time of this writing Wednesday afternoon.

The council’s agenda includes the item: “RESOLUTION REFERRING TO THE PLANNING BOARD A PROPOSED RESOLUTION DETERMINING BLOCK 99, LOTS 15.03, 18-32 AN AREA IN NEED OF REHABILITATION”

While the resolution is listed on the agenda, the resolution itself was not included in the agenda packet that contained the five others also up for a vote. Click here for the agenda: September 24 2026 – Agenda- PUBLIC-amended09232026 

A list of Development Permit Applications obtained from the Borough Planning and Zoning  department last week show an application has been filed for a new building at 325 Maple Avenue, the site of the Atlantic Club.

A follow-up records request by redbankreen, filed on Monday, seeking additional information had not been fulfilled as of Wednesday afternoon. 

The council meeting begins at 6:30 pm at Borough Hall, 90 Monmouth Street. It can also be attended via zoom at this link. 

redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331.