"We did all we could to keep the plant open, but the reality is that it is closing on Feb. 27th," Spadoro said at the press conference. "It is important that residents know that concrete plans to redeveloping this site are moving forward.
"Our plan envisions a vibrant mixed-use zoning. We're thinking in terms of a 'Chelsea Piers' for Central New Jersey," he continued, referring to the sports and entertainment complex on Manhattan's Hudson River waterfront. "Having over 100 acres of prime real estate on Route 1 gives us a unique opportunity for a creative mixed-use project."
Spadoro also announced that the township has hired RTKL, the Baltimore-based architectural, design and planning firm, to map out a specific plan for the site. In terms of the timing, he indicated that development proposals would be accepted from now until early summer, and that close to 20 national developers have already shown interest in redeveloping the tract.
Pending approvals and the completion of an environmental cleanup of the site, local officials say they hope to break ground early next year. "I do not expect the Ford site to be vacant for very long," Spadoro said.
For now, Ford still owns of the site, and company officials say they will have the final voice over who the developer will be. When that determination is made, the automaker will sell the site to the chosen developer, according to a Ford spokesperson. The existing plant is expected to be demolished, although part of it may be retained and incorporated into the site plan in some way.
The closing, one of several domestic plants the automaker is shutting down in order to trim an overcapacity of a million cars and trucks, will eliminate 900 jobs from the local economy in the short term. At its peak, the plant had a workforce in the range of 1,700.
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