Construction has begun at a Tonnelle Avenue site that will eventually lead to the opening of a new motel, one that will continue the revitalization of the area.
Last month, the North Bergen Planning Board and the township’s building department granted a construction permit for a new Comfort Inn, currently under construction at 1202 Tonnelle Avenue, between the existing Meadowlands Hotel and the Casual Spain Restaurant.
The owners of the property, Ratan Limited Partners Company (LLC), have hired a South Carolina-based contractor, Seacoast North, to build the proposed $3.5 million motel for the national lodging chain. Construction crews were hard at work last week excavating the area in order to build the foundation.
It’s not known how long the construction will take place, but when completed it will only enhance the area, according to Mayor Nicholas Sacco.
“We now have an ordinance in place that calls for two proofs of identity before a hotel or motel can open,” Sacco said. “Comfort Inn is one of the top of the line chains. North Bergen has become a very important area for tourists coming into the area and we want to insure that we only have reputable places for the tourists to stay. We’ve been making sure that we only get the quality chains to come to North Bergen, a lot like the way Secaucus has been working to get the same chains to come there.”
Sacco also said that the current Meadowlands Hotel will be converted into a Howard Johnson’s in the near future, which will be just another positive step towards transforming the area.
“We’ve been working very hard to get rid of the sleazy motels that have been on Tonnelle Avenue for years,” Sacco said. “Other chains have seen that we have been making those changes and are willing to come to North Bergen as well. They know we have a good location and it absolutely changes the face of the area. We welcome the business that will come from the added tourism.”
The Comfort Inn will be a 67-unit facility. It is not known what Howard Johnson’s plans are for the conversion of the former Meadowlands Hotel.
Another construction site has also sprung up along Tonnelle Avenue. Both the Planning Board and the Building Department gave approvals to the demolition of the former J.T.’s Steakhouse, located at 81st Street and Tonnelle, in order to build a new Amoco gas station and grocery mini-mart.
After the demolition has been completed, the owners of the new Amoco are required by law to build a retaining wall to protect the housing property that exists east of the site. The wall is expected to cost an estimated $300,000 to build.
After the wall is built, then the rest of the service station and general convenience store can be completed. They are expected to be operating by the end of the spring.