« Study: Third of Americans use library computers | Main | LIBRARIES FACE STAGGERING CUTS: »

March 25, 2010

Northfield considering land swap that would add space for library

pressofatlanticcity.com

By CHRISTOPHER RAMIREZ, Staff Writer | Posted: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 | 0 comments

The City of Northfield is examining a proposed land swap that could provide additional property for the Otto Bruyns Public Library.

Land bordering the library, located at the intersection of Mill Road and Wabash Avenue, recently was put up for sale, and Mayor Vince Mazzeo, a member of the library's board, inquired about working out a potential deal.

The neighboring land is the former site of Arthur R. Henry Inc., a construction company founded in 1946 that has moved its operations to Ocean Heights Avenue across from McCullough's Emerald Golf Course in Egg Harbor Township.

The city owns a piece of property Mazzeo estimated is about 50 by 500 feet that is adjacent to the Henry property, which in turn borders the library.

In the land swap, the city would receive a parcel estimated at about 50 by 300 feet located just east of the library in exchange for its wooded lot.

The trade would allow both sides to square off their respective properties, and from the library's point of view, provide space for a possible expansion of the driveway entrance and increase in the number of parking spaces.

"It looks like a no-brainer from the city's standpoint," Mazzeo said.

Ralph W. Henry Sr., president of Arthur R. Henry Inc., said he viewed the proposed land swap as a "fair trade."

"Whoever buys the property, it does square off our property a little bit better," Henry said of his seven-acre lot.

He added that he has received several inquires about the land, but has not opted out of possibly developing the land himself.

While Henry has shown interest in exploring the deal, he also already expressed to Mazzeo that he does not want to pay any costs related to the trade such as title fees.

Mazzeo asked City Solicitor Keith Bonchi to study circumstances related to the deal at the City Council meeting Feb. 23 and is still waiting for the findings.

Neither side has set a timetable, and it could be a while before any agreement could be completed; the city is only now nearing the finalization of a land swap with the county that was initiated in February 2009 for property on Dolphin Avenue.

"It's still going up on the air on what we're going to do," Mazzeo said.

Contact Christopher Ramirez:

609-272-7147

CRamirez@pressofac.com

Posted by tumulty at March 25, 2010 7:11 PM

Comments

Post a comment