Plans for a major development and adaptive reuse project in a small Mercer County borough will soon be up for approvals.
A Red Bank-based company named 3PRC, LLC submitted an application covering multiple properties near North Academy Street, Bank Street, and North Main Street in Hightstown. The development, which is referred as “PRC Hightstown” in site plans and “City Line at Hightstown” on the municipal government’s website, would involve a total of 343 apartments along with 43 townhouses.
“The majority of the property is currently developed with dilapidated warehouse and industrial structures, associated parking and lawn areas,” according to an August environmental impact statement that was prepared by Maser Consulting for The PRC Group. “The majority of the dilapidated structures on site will be razed with the exception of two … former warehouse/industrial structures that will be retrofitted into apartment buildings.”
If approved and completed, this project would consist of several components, according to site plans and a public notice. They include the 91-unit redevelopment of the Bank Street Brick Mill, the 59-unit redevelopment of the neighboring Bank Street Concrete Mill, the 43 “Brick Mill Townhouses,” and the construction of a new four-story 193-unit building with a 411-space parking structure.
The notice mentioned that the use of the four-story building could potentially be modified to remove 10 apartments in order to allow for a boutique hotel with 16 rooms or suites.
There are also plans nearby for a swimming pool, additional parking, and a “Yellow House Amenity Center” with a manager’s apartment, demonstration kitchen, and fitness center.
An August traffic impact study from Maser Consulting indicated that “the applicant proposes to provide a shuttle service to/from public transportation facilities,” though it did not specify which facilities those would be. The closest train station to Hightstown is more than six miles away in Princeton Junction, while Suburban Transit provides commuter bus service between Hightstown and Midtown Manhattan.
This matter is initially scheduled to go before the Hightstown Planning Board during a virtual meeting on Monday, September 14 at 7:30 p.m. However, a letter from board secretary Sandy Belan noted that the hearing could continue on September 15 and 16 if needed.
Note to readers: The dates that applications are scheduled to be heard by the Hightstown Planning Board and other commissions are subject to change.
