Beachwood Shopping Center Owner and Redeveloper Given More Time To Negotiate

by Patricia A. Miller

It's been years since any viable businesses existed in the Beachwood Shopping Center. And with each passing year, the eyesore on Route 9 south in Bayville looks worse than before.

Back in the summer, Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. announced that the shopping center would be torn down by Labor Day or owner Priscilla Oughton would face heavy fines.

The demoliton deadline day came and went. And officials announced at a recent Township Council meeting that Oughton and potential redevelopers M&M Realty and Lennar would be given another four months to negotiate demolition costs of the dilapidated strip mall.

"There's been some headway," Amato said at the Oct. 21 Township Council meeting. "They still need some more time."

Meanwhile, fines continue to accrue and more violations have been added to the lengthy list compiled by Fire Official Jack Wiegartner in November of 2011.

Township Attorney George R. Gilmore advised township officials in September to give Oughton and the potential redevelopers more time to come to an agreement.

August 30 was the day Oughton was supposed to start demolishing the battered shopping center, the bane of more than one administration in the township's history.

But going back to court on the matter could mean months of extra legal expenses for the township, Gilmore has said.

"We're trying to have this occur as quickly as possible, but at the least expense to the township," he said then.  "You could be talking six months. If the parties can agree amongst themselves, it's the best solution for the township."