A deal between the Logan Township Municipal Utilities Authority and Woolwich Township will allow the long-anticipated Woolwich Commons project to move forward.
WOOLWICH TWP. -- A long-anticipated development project that will bring a massive retail corridor to the township has reached a new milestone as neighboring Logan Township has agreed to expand its sewer treatment facility, allowing Woolwich to finally have sewer capabilities in place for the development.
A site plan graphic on the Wolfson Group's website describes proposed retail plans for the Route 322 development project known as Woolwich Commons. The three-phase development, which will bring more than 500,000 square feet of retail space including a Walmart and multiple chain restaurants, has been in the works since 2008, but a lack of sewer capabilities have always kept the project from moving forward.
"That was always our biggest holdup," Mayor Sam Maccarone said. "Right now we are hammering out the details, but Logan was the best option for everybody."
An agreement has been put in place between the Logan Township Municipal Utilities Authority and Woolwich Township for sewage treatment to be provided, according to Matt Blake, Woolwich Township's Director of Community Development, and plans to build the sewer conveyance and public water systems are in the works.
In addition to Walmart, Woolwich Commons -- the first phase of the development project -- is expected to bring multiple retail stores, Chili's and Applebees restaurants and Outback Steakhouse, Stabucks and fast food eateries, according to a graphic listed on the developer's website.
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The complex also proposes to bring between 3,000 and 4,000 new residential units.
While its been years since the project was originally proposed and residents often ask if it's actually going to happen, there's a lot going on behind the scenes, according to Township administration.
Before any of this becomes a reality, the township, the county and the state have a lot of work to do in terms of traffic flow first. The intersection of Kings Highway and Route 322, which will be the main intersection near Woolwich Commons, is already a difficult intersection to navigate with frequent accidents.
Commuters coming to and from the New Jersey Turnpike or the Jersey Shore, as well as school buses going to and from Kingsway Regional Middle and High Schools share the intersection with residents and other motorists daily, making it a busy area, especially for the small lanes that currently exist.
"The Route 322 is the only east-to-west corridor in the state with easy access to the Commodore Barry Bridge, the Blue Route, 295, 55 and the Turnpike," Blake said in an email Thursday afternoon.
In order to prepare for such a massive retail and residential development, massive enhancements and improvements have to be made to this area.
MORE: Accident-prone Woolwich intersection to see repairs -- eventually
There is a plan in place for the Department of Transportation to upgrade the intersection, adding turning lanes and safety measures, however none of the construction has yet begun.
"You're looking at substantial traffic enhancements that will severely alter the transportation in the western corridor," Blake said.
In addition to traffic and transportation issues, the developer and the township are working together to create a space that will not just throw stores and homes in open fields. Rather, they are attempting to create a walkable, shopping and dining destination, while putting housing in areas that will be beneficial to the residents who will eventually live there.
"These kinds of aesthetics will make it a destination not only for shopping but for tourism," Blake said.
Rebecca Forand may be reached at rforand@southjerseymedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @RebeccaForand. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
