The future development of the Howard Hughes property remains the number one issue in the municipal campaign. After months of door to door conversations, you have clearly expressed to me that you do not support housing on that property. Agreed.
It is one of the largest undeveloped commercially zoned (ROM) tracts between Washington D.C. and Boston. The Howard Hughes tract represents an extraordinary opportunity to bring in high tech firms and next-gen start-ups.
To do this, we need to retain an expert business development director. This professional will brand West Windsor in order to attract companies that will provide high paying jobs for our well-educated community members. Coupled with a short commute, it’s a win-win situation.
Furthermore, with additional commercial ratables, your tax burden will lessen allowing many of you to stay in West Windsor after your children graduate from high school. That’s a big concern that you have mentioned to me. The goal of the Marathe-Geevers-Manzari team is to have people of all ages be able to live and thrive here. That’s why it’s so important that the Howard Hughes property be developed according to current zoning. The benefits must go to our existing residents.
Recently, the township council approved a resolution supporting the mayor on his initial efforts to pursue Amazon Corporation’s search for a new second world headquarters (HQ2) site. Weeks later, the mayor submitted a detailed proposal on behalf of West Windsor. This proposal was not reviewed by council before submission, and was available only after the fact.
Upon my review, I noticed a letter in support of the mayor’s application from Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes dated Oct. 13, 2017. Part of the letter states, “We have spoken at length to officials from Howard Hughes and West Windsor, and all parties are enthusiastically supportive of this project.” The letter goes on to say, “The size of the property will accommodate Amazon’s site and building requirements, along with a significant amount of on-site housing and recreational space.”
Residents have already resoundingly rejected the Howard Hughes Corporation’s concept plan for 1,976 housing units as part of their vision for a mixed-use development. Yet the mayor and his allies are in fact moving forward with plans for “substantial housing.”
West Windsor is headed for disaster if the mayor’s endorsed team of Khanna-Epstein-Zhang is elected. Just weeks before Kamal Khanna announced that he would run for mayor, Brian Hughes appointed him to the Mercer County Improvement Authority. Connect the political dots and you can see how their big political machine works —“Substantial housing” for West Windsor and a substantial tax hike for you!
That won’t happen with Marathe-Geevers-Manzari in office. We have 25 years of combined experience on the council, planning board and zoning board. We will use our extensive experience to thoughtfully evaluate applications and to continue to stand up to developers who want big profits, rather than having your best interests at heart.
Hemant Marathe and I also served for years in leadership positions on the WW-P School Board. We know how difficult it is to handle growth, and we will work closely with the school district to avoid overcrowded classrooms. Excellence in education must be preserved.
— Linda Geevers
Geevers is an incumbent running for West Windsor Council.
