By MELISSA BEVERIDGE
Neptune City officials are working on several projects to help get properties back on the tax rolls in the borough and may even welome a national retailer to the former Wonder Bread location on Route 35.
Mayor Robert Brown said work has been ongoing at the former East Construction Ice company and the former Neptune City Auto Repair Shop.
At the former ice company an environmental group is currently in the final stages of a very long clean up process. Recently, a full environmental cleanup has been completed at the former Neptune City Auto Repair Shop. The Borough Council is looking forward to making both sites viable for sale and back on the tax rolls. The council recently completed the conversion of the former Painter’s Union building, which is now occupied by a doctor’s executive offices and is back on the tax rolls.
In addition, many businesses are expanding and improving their current buildings. FlexCraft is in the process of moving and has assured the council that they “will offer some jobs to the community,” Brown said.
Shore Collision was also recently approved for improvements to their property as was Foley’s Liquor Mart, which received approval for improvements and an addition.
Brown also updated the council regarding the vacant store fronts in the new 7-11 strip mall on Route 35. He said that the owners are being selective about who they are going to approve.
“Whomever they put in there, they want to stay,” Brown said. “They don’t want a large turnover.”
He also said the council met last week with a national retailer who may be moving into the former Wonder Bread store on Route 35.
“They’re excited to come in and work with Neptune City,” Brown said. “They (the retailer) were met with open arms. We’re constantly moving, working with everybody.”
In other news, Brown announced that Neptune City, in conjunction with Bradley Beach, Avon, and possibly Neptune, will be applying for a grant on Dec.18 to help Sylvan Lake, improve stormwater management, and alleviate flooding in the towns.
“As you know, we drain into Sylvan Lake and some of it drains into Shark River, so we’re working on that right now to improve our drainage issues,” stated Brown.
The council also announced that they will host an updated flood map meeting at the community center in early 2015. Brown noted that “some homes will be put in, but I believe a lot of homes will be taken out when we redo the flood maps.” Brown assured residents that the council is “working diligently with their engineers to really get a little bit better accuracy on our flood zone.”
The Neptune City Police Department will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for girls and boys, now through December 18th. A toy drive will be held on Fri., Dec. 5 from 5 to 9 p.m. and Sat., Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Neptune City Shopping Center located at 116 Third Ave.