County Puts Up $1.4 Mil to Help Rebuild Complex

Specifically, the money is going toward construction of an $8.9 million drug distribution mail order center for Merck-Medco. The project is a cornerstone of the redevelopment of the 56-acre site on Route 130 in this southern New Jersey township.

"This is an important milestone for the county and the community," according to freeholder Vincent R. Farias. "The puts everyone on notice that good things are happening. For those who saw Willingboro Plaza die a slow death in the early 1990's, this really is a renaissance."

ReNEWal contracted with Merck-Medco to build the basic building, now nearing completion. By the time the project is done, including interior retrofitting and other construction aspects, the total price tag is expected to be in the $60 million range. Merck-Medco projects 800 employees over the next two years in the building, which totals 260,000 sf.

"Not coincidentally, Merck-Medco will be reaching its employment capacity in 2003, which is about the time our new light rail system will be up and running here," says Farias. "If all goes well, the county should have a shuttle plan in place, enabling workers to access light rail from the town center."

According to ReNEWal managing director Robert Stang, the Merck-Medco facility will be one of several at the burgeoning Town Center. Also in the works are a new campus for Burlington County College, and a new Willingboro Library.

Stang adds, "a number of commercial users, including a restaurant, an employment agency, a major clothing retailer, and a number of other retailers have expressed interest in locating in the Town Center. Several are in the process of negotiating leases."

The loan transaction also marked the formal transfer of the new building from ReNEWal to Merck-Medco. Willingboro Twp. is also transferring the 17 acres occupied by the facility to Merck-Medco.