The agreement allows RBG Hightstown LLC to move ahead with securing the necessary approvals
HIGHTSTOWN -- Hightstown's years-long effort to revitalize the rug mill took a step forward this week when borough officials reached an agreement with the new redeveloper.
The agreement is a result of months of negotiations with RBG Hightstown LLC and now allows them to move ahead with securing site plan and other government approvals for the 7-acre site.
"It'll probably take another year before we see any dirt flying," borough administrator Henry Underhill said.
Under the contract, RBG has nine months to submit its preliminary site plan for the first phase. Underhill estimates that, in the best-case scenario, it will be one year before there are shovels in the ground and, in the worst case, two years.
"Hopefully, we keep them to the milestones and we get it done sooner rather than later," he said.
The initial concept plan that was unveiled in late January called for a gathering space surrounded by rental apartment buildings with retail on the ground floors, a public market in what is now the firehouse and a new municipal building that would bring Borough Hall, police and fire under one roof.
At the other end, they envisioned the mill buildings being converted into modern industrial-looking lofts and a 400-space parking garage.
A revised plan was presented last month by Studio Hillier, who was hired as the architect for the actual detailed design.
Under the agreement, the borough would sell the flood-ravaged Borough Hall to RBG for $1,050,000 to make room for Phase 1.
That first phase includes 42,470 square feet of retail stores on the street level with apartments on the upper floors. Instead of a garage, parking for 234 cars would be beneath the outdoor plaza and new buildings.
The firehouse would stay put, though improvements would be made, Underhill said.
"We did the math and an architectural evaluation and the cost of building a new one was more than we would get for selling the property," he said.
A decision has yet to be made on where the borough offices and police department would be headquartered now that a new municipal building is no longer part of the plans, Underhill said. The borough has the right to take up to 10,000 square feet of retail space for its own use or may look somewhere else altogether.
"We're looking at all the options right now," Underhill said.
Meanwhile, Phase 2 includes the conversion of the mill buildings and an additional 208 surface parking spots.
"I think the developer has come up with a plan that the mayor and council like very much," Underhill said. "They seem genuinely able to complete this project. ... I think (Robert Hillier) has modified the plan to make it a very workable plan."
He said he hopes the rug mill redevelopment will mesh well with the businesses on Main Street.
"We're hoping that ... the two work together and create business for each other," he said. "That's really the reason for the mixed use. All those residents that will eventually fill those units will shop locally for the things that they need."
The revised concept plan for the redevelopment of Hightstown's rug mill. (Studio Hillier) Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find NJ.com on Facebook.