115-acre site once eyed for warehouses moves toward preservation near Allentown.
Freehold, NJ – Monmouth County commissioners voted 3-1 to advance the purchase of a 115-acre tract spanning Upper Freehold and Robbinsville, a move that could halt a previously proposed warehouse development and instead expand county parkland near Crosswicks Creek.
The property, known as the Stein Property, was purchased by a Wall-based developer in 2022 for $15 million with plans to build more than 450,000 square feet of warehouse space along Old York Road, close to residential areas in Allentown. County officials are now pursuing the land for open space preservation at a proposed cost of $27.75 million.
The resolution authorizes the investigation and consideration of the acquisition, contingent on environmental review, title approval, and funding through Monmouth County’s open space program.
Key Points
- Monmouth commissioners approve land acquisition effort in 3-1 vote
- 115-acre site could become part of Crosswicks Creek Park instead of warehouses
- Proposed purchase price of $27.75 million pending review and funding
County moves to block warehouse development
The land had been targeted for a large-scale warehouse project totaling approximately 453,720 square feet, a proposal that drew concern due to its proximity—about 100 feet—to nearby homes.
County officials are now seeking to preserve the site for public use. The Board of Recreation Commissioners recommended the acquisition, citing the need for “county open space preservation, natural resources conservation and public park and recreation purposes.”
If completed, the property would be incorporated into Crosswicks Creek Park, expanding preserved land in the region and preventing commercial development.
Split vote highlights differing views
The 3-1 vote among county commissioners reflects some division over the purchase, particularly given the significant increase in price from the property’s 2022 sale.
Commissioner Ross Licitra, who has led the effort, said county attorneys are finalizing terms with the developer before the deal proceeds to funding through the county’s open space tax program.
The resolution states that the purchase remains subject to “proper bond funding as required by law,” along with adjustments for acreage, taxes, and closing costs.
The site also carries historical significance, with local accounts suggesting it may have been used as an encampment by British troops during the Revolutionary War.
