JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ – A small portion of a corner property in Jackson just a few hundred square feet in size is fetching a huge sum of money from Ocean County after a prolonged lawsuit.
A legal battle over property rights tied to the South Hope Chapel Road circle reconstruction project has ended with the Superior Court of New Jersey authorizing payment to a local landowner, marking one of the latest eminent domain acquisitions in Ocean County’s ongoing roadway expansion efforts.
This case is just one of several properties being acquired by eminent domain to complete the circle, initally proposed by former Jackson Township Councilman Andrew Kern.
Court records show that the County of Ocean filed a condemnation complaint against 326 New Central Ave, LLC, Customers Bank, and the Township of Jackson, seeking to take a small portion of land for roadway improvements near Route 639, North Hope Chapel Road, and New Central Avenue. The complaint, filed in October 2024, alleged that the county had been unable to reach a voluntary purchase agreement with the property owner despite multiple offers, prompting the formal exercise of eminent domain powers under New Jersey law.
According to filings prepared by county counsel Laura M. Benson of Berry, Sahradnik, Kotzas & Benson, the property was needed to obtain a fee simple right-of-way and temporary construction easement for the intersection widening and safety project. The project is part of a long-term effort to improve traffic flow through one of Jackson’s most congested areas.
The landower fought the case before settling on a high dollar amount for the land purchase.
On December 8, 2025, Superior Court Judge Robert E. Brenner issued an order authorizing the release of $135,000—the amount the county deposited with the court as just compensation for the taking—plus accrued interest, to be paid to the landowner’s attorney, Paul V. Fernicola of Red Bank. The payment was finalized through the Superior Court Trust Fund, which manages proceeds from state condemnation cases, and formally certified on January 7, 2026, by Michelle M. Smith, Clerk of the Superior Court.
Dispute arose after property owner rejected county’s initial offer
The county’s initial complaint indicated that 326 New Central Ave, LLC had declined its purchase proposal for the land needed for the project. The property had recently changed ownership in mid-2023, when it was conveyed by Mary Bartolini to the LLC and secured through a mortgage with Customers Bank. Because the parcel carried active liens and tax obligations, both the bank and Jackson Township were named as defendants to ensure clear title during the transfer process.
Project aims to ease chronic traffic congestion
The eminent domain action stems from the South Hope Chapel Road Circle Reconstruction and Road Widening Project, a long-planned infrastructure upgrade intended to reduce crashes and delays along one of Jackson’s busiest corridors by adding a roundabout.
The county plans to add new lanes, improved drainage, sidewalks, and reconfigured intersections to ease bottlenecks that have long frustrated commuters traveling between Jackson and Lakewood.
A routine taking, but a costly reminder
While the $135,000 award represents a relatively standard acquisition under state transportation law, the case illustrates how complex and time-consuming eminent domain proceedings can be when private property and public infrastructure interests collide.
- County of Ocean exercised eminent domain for road project right-of-way
- Landowner 326 New Central Ave, LLC awarded $135,000 plus interest
- South Hope Chapel Road circle project proceeds after years of planning
With the compensation order now finalized, Ocean County can move forward with construction and utility relocation for the circle improvement project — a critical step in reshaping the intersection that has long served as one of northern Jackson’s most heavily traveled gateways.
