The innovative new mixed-use residential redevelopment plan from Russo Development and River Development Equities on Route 18 in East Brunswick took another step forward this week as the developers met with local officials to discuss site improvements.
Demolition already has begun on several vacant retail structures at the site, located at Route 18 South, north of Lake Avenue and to the east of Renee Road. The project will create the township’s first walkable town center.
Ed Russo, CEO of Russo Development, said he’s eager to get going. A formal groundbreaking will be held in the future, he said.
“Our collaboration with East Brunswick will result in an exciting new mixed-use destination that will add new luxury apartments and lifestyle retail along the Route 18 corridor,” he said.
Officials at DMR Architects, which was retained by the East Brunswick Redevelopment Agency in 2018 to create a plan to address high vacancy rates by stimulating redevelopment along Route 18, said they are thrilled by the project’s progress.
“This event represents a milestone in East Brunswick’s transformation of the Route 18 Corridor into a vibrant mixed-use town center that captures the retail opportunities for both local residents and commuters that travel through here every day,” Fran Reiner, a partner and director of planning & redevelopment at DMR Architects, said.
“It is rewarding to see the vision that we helped the township create move closer to becoming East Brunswick’s first walkable town center.”
