Three proposals pitched for Robert E. Lee site

SAYREVILLE - Three firms have expressed interest in redeveloping a 4-acre parcel of waterfront property formerly home to the Robert E. Lee Inn.

The companies, which each submitted statements of interest to the Sayreville Economic Redevelopment Agency (SERA) by last week's deadline, are Visionary Marina Associates, of Old Bridge; Vithal Dhaduk and Associates, of Pennsylvania; and CCMS Corp., of Colts Neck.

SERA Chairman Raniero Travisano, who remembers the former Robert E. Lee restaurant as a bustling eatery on Route 35 and also recalls fighting the fire that destroyed the business in the 1980s, is excited about the proposals to redevelop the site. The property has remained vacant for over 20 years, and officials are pleased that a waterfront restaurant is included in all three proposals.

"Thank God," Travisano said. "I'm looking forward to it. It is something that you know I've been pushing for."

The agency requested statements of interest from potential developers in September after reaching an agreement with nearby property owners in order to market the 2- acre parcel adjacent to the borough-owned 2- acre site as one property. The area also includes eight riparian acres that could be used for a marina.

SERA Executive Director Randy Corman said one of the concept plans is copyright protected, and therefore details of the proposals are not being released to the public yet. He added that SERA's professionals are reviewing the proposals, which include varying levels of detail.

"We've got some solid proposals," Corman said. "[We have] a good basis to move forward."

All three potential developers propose constructing both a restaurant and marina, he said.

"They are all, in their own ways, harkening back to what the Robert E. Lee property once was, as a landmark," Corman said.

But the process will take time, as the location still needs to be formally declared a redevelopment area, he noted.

"The Planning Board needs to establish a redevelopment plan consistent with the concept that the developers are proposing," he said.

SERA commissioners will review the proposals at their meeting today at Borough Hall. Once they choose a developer, the agency and adjacent property owners will discuss a sale price for the property with the selected redevelopment firm.

"I'd like to see it done by the end of the month," Travisano said of the selection process. "I've been a big proponent of moving forward with this. I'm happy to see that hopefully it is coming to fruition."

Corman agreed with Travisano, saying that SERA and the borough should move forward now in order to get the project going in the near future.

"As soon as possible is as good a time frame as any," Corman said.