TOMS RIVER, NJ — Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick has rejected a municipal infrastructure grant that would have laid the foundation for transforming the downtown area into a bustling, urbanized city.
The move came just weeks after the mayor canceled a major housing development because the developer was unable to meet its contractual deadlines. The grant would have allowed for the construction of the road infrastructure needed for thousands of new homes.
“We are not interested in investing in infrastructure for their urban development plan,” Rodrick said. “We are not building a city in the city center.”
Rodrick said, “Thanks, but no thanks,” and scrapped the plan implemented under former Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill.
The mayor has long criticized a plan to redevelop Downtown Toms River that would have allowed for buildings up to 12 stories and would have allowed nearly all of downtown’s open space and parking to be converted into a high-density apartment or condominium complex.
The Toms River redevelopment plan called for nearly 20 dense apartment buildings to take up nearly every available space in downtown Toms River. The following photos are from the 2019 redevelopment plan approved by former Mayor Maurice Hill.
According to Rodrick, the federal grant was the first step in preparing for the increasing densification of the inner city.
Rodrick has spoken out publicly against the restructuring plan since its introduction.
He announced that he would work with the city council to develop a new vision for downtown Toms River that would not include high-density development or 12-story residential towers.
- Rodrick rejects city infrastructure grant to stop plans for downtown Toms River
TOMS RIVER, NJ — Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick has rejected a municipal infrastructure grant that would have laid the foundation for transforming the downtown area into a bustling, urbanized city.
The move came just weeks after the mayor canceled a major housing complex because the developer was unable to meet its contractual deadlines. The grant would have allowed for the construction of the road infrastructure needed for thousands of new homes.
“We are not interested in investing in infrastructure for their urban development plan,” Rodrick said. “We are not building a city in the inner city.”
Rodrick said, “Thanks, but no thanks,” and scrapped the plan implemented under former Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill.
The mayor has long criticized a plan to redevelop Downtown Toms River that would have allowed for buildings up to 12 stories and would have allowed nearly all of downtown’s open space and parking to be converted into a high-density apartment or condominium complex.
The Toms River redevelopment plan called for nearly 20 dense apartment buildings to take up nearly every available space in downtown Toms River. The following photos are from the 2019 redevelopment plan approved by former Mayor Maurice Hill.
According to Rodrick, the federal grant was the first step in preparing for the increasing densification of the inner city.
Rodrick has spoken out publicly against the restructuring plan since its introduction.
He announced that he would work with the city council to develop a new vision for downtown Toms River that would not include high-density development or 12-story residential towers.
- Suspect arrested in connection with DC murder
Washington, DC – A suspect has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred in Northeast DC last month.
On Friday, July 12, at approximately 2:52 a.m., officers responded to a shooting in the 1500 block of Benning Road in Northeast. Upon arrival, they discovered 26-year-old Danzell Hall suffering from a gunshot wound. DC Fire and EMS pronounced him dead at the scene.
On Tuesday, August 20, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 41-year-old Michael Grayton, also of Northeast DC. Grayton was charged with first-degree armed murder (intentional) in connection with the shooting.
- 2-year-old boy hit by tram on Ocean City boardwalk
OCEAN CITY, MD — In a tragic accident on the Ocean City Boardwalk Tuesday evening, a 2-year-old boy was killed when he was struck by a streetcar near Dorchester Street.
According to Ocean City police, the incident occurred at around 8:14 p.m. The young child was crossing the tram stop at the Boardwalk when he was struck by a southbound tram. Despite all efforts, the boy died at the scene.
Both tram conductors remained on scene and are cooperating with the investigation. In response to the incident, Ocean City authorities have suspended service on the Boardwalk Tram until further notice.
