Rio Grande, N.J. – Middle Township is pursuing a layered strategy of legislative action, volunteer partnerships and redevelopment to handle persistent concerns in Rio Grande.
Increased crime, blighted properties and an uptick in homelessness are among the most urgent issues. Last year, the Township formed the Rio Grande Community Partnership so residents, business owners, social-service agencies and local government could collaborate on solutions. Middle is now taking additional steps to focus on the area’s needs.
“It’s a multifaceted problem that requires a multifaceted approach – enforcing the law, protecting people, and providing an economic development opportunity,” said Mayor Tim Donohue. “We need people to understand that these problems are complex and it’s taking a multifaceted approach to address them.”
Response to homelessness
Increased homelessness in the area has coincided with the January 2022 expiration of New Jersey’s COVID-era eviction moratorium. Recognizing that many of those living on the streets have substance abuse and mental health issues, the Middle Township Police Department is developing specific strategies for engagement.
Officers received training from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office on how to effectively interact with a person having a mental health crisis. The police department also provides office space for Volunteers of America, whose members connect homeless people with social services that could change their situation.
At the same time, the Township is working to address safety concerns that have come with the spread of homelessness. Rio Grande has seen a rise in homeless encampments that contribute to fire risk and sanitation problems. Aggressive begging affects residents, visitors and business owners.
Middle is exploring how other municipalities have addressed encampments as it prepares to introduce its own ordinance. The Township needs more authority to deal with the situation, Donohue said.
“It’s a complicated situation and you have to strike a balance.”
Eyeing redevelopment
Middle Township is also exploring more options for redevelopment as part of its focus on Rio Grande.
Township Committee passed an April 17 resolution authorizing its Planning Board to study the expansion of the current Rio Grande redevelopment area.
The expanded zone under consideration would encompass the area near Menz Restaurant on Route 47 to beyond Route 9, nearly to the Garden State Parkway underpass; and from the Middle-Lower Township border to around the Walmart Supercenter on Route 9. The Planning Board will investigate whether the area meets the state’s requirements for a redevelopment zone and, if so, will hold a public hearing before the Township Committee’s final determination.
If the Committee designates the zone as a redevelopment area, the Township will have more latitude to incentivize developers.
Working with the county, Middle has leveraged the existing Rio Grande redevelopment zone to attract new business to areas including County Commons and the Rio Grande Shopping Center, where a Burlington store just opened in April.
The Township believes the creation of the extended redevelopment zone will enhance the partnership with the county and attract interest from the business development community.
“Township Committee looks forward to the review of this concept by the Planning Board,” Donohue said. “This designation for redevelopment, coupled with our discussion on an economic development partnership with Cape May County, offer us the best chance to enhance quality business opportunities in Rio Grande through public-private initiatives and incentives.”