By Matthew Sockol
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – A lease for commuter parking spaces in Freehold Township has been terminated by a property owner.
The township’s lease for commuter parking spaces at the Freehold Mall, Route 9, was terminated by property owner Philips International. The Freehold Mall shopping center includes Burlington Coat Factory, a Firestone automobile repair center and Work Out World.
According to a flier notifying commuters of the lease termination, the effective date of the cancellation will be Oct. 31 and commuters will no longer be permitted to park in the lot as of Nov. 1. The flier was placed on vehicles in the parking lot on June 9, according to a resident who uses the lot.
A representative of Philips International did not return a message seeking comment.
Township Administrator Peter Valesi said municipal officials will work to obtain rights to the parking lot and allow commuters to continue to use the designated parking spaces.
“The township intends to use the power of eminent domain to secure parking rights in the lot by way of an easement,” Valesi said. “We do not anticipate that the parking operation will be interrupted.”
A notice has been posted in the lot by the municipality which notifies commuters that officials have begun the process of obtaining parking rights at the property. The notice states that the process is anticipated to be completed before Oct. 31.
Mayor Barbara McMorrow addressed the issue in a letter, stating, “The Township Committee realizes this issue is of great concern to our commuting public. As such, rest assured we are acting decisively to ensure that our commuters are not affected by the actions of a third party.”
