KINGS WILL NOT MOVE TO POST OFFICE SITE

From Township officials today:

Update on the Redevelopment of the Maplewood Post Office Site - June 2014.

On January 7, 2014, the Maplewood Township Committee designated L&M Garden State Associates, LLC, as the redeveloper of the Maplewood Post Office site.

As part of the Request for Proposal process, the Township required the respondents to meet with the principals of Kings to discuss incorporating the supermarket into the new project.  The move across the street would be to a larger facility with improved off-street access for store deliveries.

Kings expressed an interest in moving to the project site and the Township favored its relocation. This move would be consistent with the Township’s goal of retaining, renewing and developing critical anchors in its commercial districts.

During the past five months, L&M and Kings engaged in good faith negotiations in hopes of reaching an agreement. In June, the parties announced they could not agree on mutually satisfactory lease terms. As a result, Kings will remain in its existing building and not be moving across the street.

Judy Spires, President & CEO of Kings Food Markets, said, "Kings Food Market is committed to our valued Maplewood customers and we look forward to continuing our excellent services to them long into the future from our current location."

Jon Cortell, on behalf of L&M Garden State Associates, LLC, said, “We will continue to work with the Township to provide a high quality development on the post office site. Plans are to locate residential and retail on that site that will supplement the town's existing assets."

Mayor Vic De Luca said, "While we had hoped to see the move, we are grateful for Kings’ continued commitment to Maplewood and are pleased to know the supermarket will be here for many years to come. We also look forward to working with L&M in redeveloping this site, which will bring new retail and housing opportunities to our community."

The next stage of the redevelopment process will be a site plan hearing by the Maplewood Planning Board in July. L&M has agreed to hold off demolition of the post office building until January. This will allow postal operations to continue in the current building until the new postal facility opens at 195 Maplewood Avenue in November. This schedule also accommodates the Township’s goal of avoiding construction activities during the fall and into the holiday shopping season.