WARETOWN – Ocean Township officials recently approved an ordinance that would allow Tradewinds at Waretown to lease space to a drive-thru business.
The multi-use project, located directly across from the Waretown Shop Rite on Route 9 received overall approval as part of the municipality’s redevelopment plan several years ago. Much of the residential apartments sit separately, with just a few units intended to be above stores.
Joe Felder of Tradewinds Holding LLC said he was unable to release the name of the corporate enterprise interested in setting up a drive-thru service within the complex.
“We’re still in the early stages of negotiation but needed to ensure the town would allow the drive-thru to be set up here,” shared Felder. “We can say that a major food establishment has expressed an interest in opening up.”
Residential tenants have already begun occupying the first buildings, which begin at $1,575 for a 774 square feet one-bedroom, one-bath apartment. Three-bedroom apartments are 943 square feet, with prospective tenants requested to call for details.
The project includes 144 apartments in total, with ten percent designed to accommodate those qualifying for affordable housing. Some of the residential units will be situated on top of stores. A waitlist is currently in existence for both one bedroom and all affordable housing units. The apartments are not age-restricted, and pets are allowed.
A physical therapy office that currently has space at Barnegat 67 has committed to space in the commercial portion of the building. BSR Physical Therapy intends to maintain both offices to better accommodate their patients.
“We have another prospective client that comes to us from the beauty and cosmetic industry,” Felder said. “They have signed a letter of interest and we’re hoping they will come in as well.”
Other prospective tenants include owners of a childcare facility and a business in the health and fitness industry. Retail space offered at Tradewinds covers over 26,000 square feet, with one 5,000 square feet pad that may work for the drive-thru business.
The leasing office currently occupies the space intended for the clubhouse. A gym is planned for the clubhouse and the slab and concrete for the pool has already been poured.
Tradewinds started later than expected on the project and has not received any tax abatements. Many construction delays were associated with permits from government entities other than the municipality.
