Fink: Seek state help to attract high-tech firms to Lucent site

JACQUELINE HLAVENKA

Ralph Zucker, president of Somerset Development, uses renderings during a discussion of plans for reuse of the Bell Labs building on Nov. 19. JACQUELINE HLAVENKA HOLMDEL — Members of the Township Committee are seeking to enlist the state government in attracting new industry to the historically significant Alcatel Lucent property on Crawfords Corner Road.

At the Nov. 19 meeting, Committeeman Larry Fink recommended the local governing body send a letter to Gov. Jon Corzine and Gov.-elect Chris Christie to let them know the township is trying to attract high-tech firms to the area.

The agenda item prompted contract-purchaser Somerset Development, Lakewood, to attend the meeting. The company is calling for the reuse of the existing 2 million-square-foot Bell Labs building as mixed-use commercial space on the interior, including retail, restaurants, offices, hospitality and wellness centers and 100 apartment units.

With community planning grants, programs and incentives, Fink suggested the township should bring information technology, green-tech, bio-tech and similar firms to occupy the Bell Labs building.

"We have a very large building on a very large property," Fink said. "In the interest of trying to participate in the revitalization of the state's economy, since at one time there were 6,000 jobs located at that site, we would like to attract these firms to reoccupy the building and bring back good-paying jobs to the area."

Fink explained the township should re-establish a tax ratable for the Holmdel, the school district and the county.

The letter would solicit the state Economic Development Commission, the state Department of Community Affairs and state legislators for their ideas and assistance.

Craig M. Gianetti, an attorney with Giordano, Halleran and Ciesla, Red Bank, spoke on behalf of Somerset Development during the open public portion of the Nov. 19 meeting. Gianetti explained Somerset supports the letter, but the company would like to be included in the process.

"We do support it, but we would like to be involved," Gianetti said. "We think it could be more effective with the developer as a partnership."

Ralph Zucker, president of Somerset Development, said he has contacted Corzine, Christie and various state commissions to raise awareness about the building and the Somerset redevelopment plan.

"We have spent the last two years doing the exact same thing," Zucker said. "It is a great opportunity to showcase exactly what it is we are talking about … to bring jobs, to establish ratables for the town and the community."

The developer also came prepared with a presentation, using poster board renderings of mixed-use development plans for the Bell Lab building.

Committeeman Rocco Pascucci, who was recently voted on to the township's Lucent subcommittee to replace Fink, objected to the presentation.

Pascucci said the Lucent Advisory Committee sent an email requesting a meeting with Somerset Development and is in the process of scheduling the meeting for which no date has been set as yet.

"Now you come here tonight with a presentation when you were going to come to the Lucent advisory committee with a presentation," Pascucci said. "Don't you think you're doing an end run? I find it very offensive. [Committeewoman] Janet [Berk] and I are in the process of scheduling."

Zucker said both parties have not been successful in setting a date yet and apologized to the committee if they found the presentation offensive, but he added the meeting was an open forum for discussion.

Deputy Mayor Pat Impreveduto, who said he was unaware of a meeting being scheduled, said Somerset was circumventing the process of the Lucent subcommittee.

"Dr. Pascucci alluded to the fact that scheduling a meeting with you will open up dialogue," Impreveduto said. "Obviously you're doing it here before going to the committee."

Zucker insisted on proceeding with the presentation.

"We've been at this for two years begging for a dialogue," Zucker said. "I feel bad, not for myself, but for the taxpayers of Holmdel that this is the way we are being treated and a significant ratable is being to reduced to, I don't even know how to say it."

Impreveduto, who was filling in for Mayor Serena DiMaso who was absent from the meeting, asserted the taxpayers are a concern of the Township Committee as well.

"We are doing our best for the members of our community," Impreveduto said. "We want to make sure that whatever is put on the Lucent property will benefit Holmdel. It's a process."

Impreveduto said each representative of the company had three minutes to speak, like every other resident.

Fink said he was also unaware of an upcoming subcommittee meeting, but explained it would be a "wasted opportunity" if the members of Somerset did not speak.

"This a public portion, and I, for one, would like to hear what they have to say," Fink said. "The details can be worked out or hashed out and questions can be raised, and a subcommitteemeeting would be an excellent opportunity for that."

Gianetti said this presentation would not be the same as the subcommittee discussion. Impreveduto allowed the discussion to continue.

Zucker first displayed floor plans, including retail space, a satellite college campus and health care offices. Assisted living, hotel and residential components will be discussed with the Township Committee, he explained.

"This is a real working plan, but what we are missing is the green light," Zucker said.

Regarding the agenda item, Somerset Development Vice President Thomas S. Michnewicz explained the company has been exploring public funding sources and state grant money for the project.

"When we saw this on the agenda, quite frankly, what we really wanted to do is to continue this discussion with us, and do it together," Michnewicz said.