LINWOOD, NJ—The city's acquisition of approximately 17 acres ofland from the Cornerstone Commerce Center for useas open space appears to have quelled criticism from some circlesthat the property would be developed for retail or officespace.

Linwood mayor Rick DePamphilis says that theproperty was acquired with a $953,000 Blue Acres grant from NewJersey and a $250,000 grant from the Stewart Trust, according tothe Press of Atlantic City. The mayor says the section by WestMonroe Avenue now earmarked for open space will ensure the centerdoes not change the character of the residential neighborhood.

“A lot of those residents living north of that buffer were veryconcerned about Cornerstone trying to develop that area. That's whywe tried so hard to get it since we promised that would neverhappen,” he says. “This fulfills our promise to those people.”