I am vary happy. I think it was the right decision to spend this money on buying and razing the building. The price is very fair for 130 frontage and we all know that that same money don't buy much sidewalks, unfortunately. So the best bang for the buck was what they did.

Frank, are you a licensed real estate appraiser? If you are not, how do you know it was truly a fair price?

I think it was the best buck for the bang they got.

Rather see 1/2 of the sidewalks put in at $350,000 then a large bus stop at one corner. The price tag of $350,000 is only the cost to buy the property right? What's the cost to demolish the structure, make it a "grassy" patch, etc. At least put sidewalks in the strip areas being renovated (esp Sonic, go kart section). Being a cheerleader and agreeing with every decision made by township doesn't make you a good citizen or resident; just makes you a cheerleader.

What about all the other bus stops?? So now there is going to be one really really nice bus stop, that no one uses. (I don't see Friendly's getting a whole lot of guests who take the bus to get there). And the rest of the bus stops in town will be just as crappy as they are now?

My question is who owns that property? Who and where is that $355,000 going?

My initial concern was that the township would have to pay for the ground testing. After a little investigating I see that a No further action letter has been acquired by the current owner. Although I agree that the twp may need to eventually take this property over, considering todays market I don't feel that a year on the market is very long. I would much rather see a business purchase this property. Just my opinion.

355K for the lot - How much for demolition - How much to grass it in - How much for seeding/sodding, mowing, edging, etc. forever??? If the owners didn't maintain it satisfactorily, couldn't the township take it for nothing???

Another question - if it's a bus stop, why doesn't NJT buy it??????

I did a quick google search of the address and found this real estate listing: http://www.showcase.com/property/503-Route-130-S/Cinnaminson/New-Jersey/4289300
It shows a listing price of $450K and the township paid $355K. Sounds like the twp did good making an offer where the owner accepted a selling price of almost 100K of what he was asking. Kudos Twp Committee! Keep up the good work and keep improving Rt.130. There are some additional good ideas here for improvements so I hope there is more money and consideration of these thoughts in the future.

I prefer to see sidewalks but I do concede the township has a legitimate reason for purchasing this parcel. A Goodwill depot would not add to the attractiveness of this town.

It was my understanding the township will be looking into ways of requiring and funding sidewalks and that is encouraging. With all the bad publicity about our section of Rt. 130, the township should easily convince the state to push for sidewalks and to fund them since we lack them because the fault of the state. I certainly will remind the township to push the state with each next Rt. 130 pedestrian fatality.
I pray there will be no more pedestrian fatalities.

A few points of clarification;First, there was no "either purchase Barone's or install Route 130 sidewalk" considered by Committee.This purchase did not occur at the expense of sidewalk installation.An opportunity to remove a blighted vacant property with antiquated access presented,Committee deliberated, and made a decision.With regard to Route 130 safety, Committee has been actively investigating options to enhance safety along Route 130 for several years, our most dramatic improvement being the reconstruction of the 5 points intersection.We are looking at all options (red light cameras, sidewalk, barrier fence, & lighting) and evaluating how best to incorporate an "all of the above" approach to make Route 130 as safe as possible.In fact, the removal of exits/entrance points at Barone's is itself a safety enhancing feature.NJDOT has not allowed those types of access points in many years due to safety concerns.We are actively reviewing options and will implement a plan that will enhance the safety of the traveling publicWith regard to the "value" of Barones'; value was established by the bona fide offer made by Goodwill Industries for reuse of the property as a donation drop off site.This offer was made prior to the town's and would be accepted by any court or appraiser as "fair maket value".This purchase is a proactive step to remedy a property that is danger of being either abandonded or occupied by a business that is counter to our enhanced Route 130 standards.

Second Editor's Note: It was taken out because it implies the township committee chose to buy the service station over sidewalks, which is not the case. Sidewalks were only brought up here on Patch in a comment, and from a few residents at the township committee meeting, which is why we focused on it in the story.

Editor's Note: Our headline for the story has changed a bit to take out two words "...Sidelining Sidewalks." We received two comments saying how the headline could be misleading, and we agree. Just wanted to let you know in case anyone questions it. If you have questions, e-mail me directly. Thanks for reading, Patchers!

How about the rest of the bus stops ??? they look horrible and trash is left behind at all of them. What is committee's plans for those ?

I think we need to stop saying "bus stop". The property just happens to have a New Jersey transit stop at it's edge, but I guess because the words were used in the public notice, people still think that's why the township wants to buy the property. I believe the township just wants to tear down the building and landscape the lot to make it look nicer. I also wonder about the cost of demolition and landscaping added on to the purchase price. I will also be interested to see who gets the landscaping contract. The committee chose someone for the survey and title work when they came out of closed session, but I didn't get back inside fast enough to hear who it was, or if they had a price for that service yet. I am guessing that it will show up in a published notice in the BCT (although you can see the notices without buying the paper by going to www.publicnoticeads.com) I have heard from an anonymous source that there was another inquiry was made about the property - but it came from an auto repair business that is no longer something the township wants along the highway - he would have had to go to the zoning board and asked for a use variance, which he would have been happy to do - except that he was told the purchase price of the property was $750,000. The township has much better real estate skills, getting it for $100,000 less than the asking price of $450,000.

Blah blah blah people! It was the right decision. The vacant gas station is an eye sore! Good job to the administration for doing your homework!

Once again the question that no one seems to be answering is who owns the property! And who and where is the $355,000 going? Not one person has answered that!

Dawn, the owner is Larmanis LLC, and it's listed with Weichert Realtors. I should have added that into my article and will do so now. You can do a Google search and see the listing actually.

Thank you Christina I was just curious! Just sounded like it was very fast moving

Do you mean to tell me that when Weichert presented an offer from a buyer for $450,000 theyturned it down and accepted one for a $100,000 less?Something is just not kosher here. The real estate company is obligated to secure the highest and best offer for his client to earn his commission. Commercial commission on a sale is higher than residential . Who obtained the buyer ? Is there a co-op realtor involved. Follow the money.

Why can't the current property owner be forced to maintain or demolish the property like the residents are responsible for maintaining their property? Easy way out if you can't sell your business site.....let it become an eyesore until the township buys you out.

Good Job Patch, You woke this town up, !!! Nice !!

What a ripperewski! As a teacher I say they split that $355K up between us babysitters and give us an extra $50K a year minimum! As us teachers say, "hardly work, play hard!"

Maybe if teacherewski thinks of themselves as a babysitter they should find a different profession.

Right on you silly willy's!

IT THINK ITS A SHAME TO TAKE ANOTHER RETAIL SITE FROM CINNAMINSON.JOBS TAXES SO ON AND SO ON.WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY.LIKE SLEDDING HILL IT REALLY WHENT TO GOOD USE.WASTE OF TAX PAYERS IMCOME

IMPORTANT MEETING ALERT! I have learned from sources that Cinnaminson planning committee will be hearing an application tomorrow(Tuesday) night 4-24 at 7:30pm. The plan for reuse of the Corestates Bank on the corner of Meeting House and Route 130 will be presented. I'm told that former candidate for council, KEN GERTIE is the owner and is FIGHTING against the township requirement for sidewalks on Route 130. PLEASE ATTEND and tell all who are worried about Route 130 safety to come. The planning committee needs to know the people of Cinnaminson support a safer Route 130! It is important that we the community DEMAND Mr. Gertie put the safety of our town and Route 130 first!