the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Edgewater, NJ – A state Superior Court judge has overturned the Edgewater Planning Board’s 2024 decision to reject a proposal for a massive big-box retail store at 339 River Road — the former site of the Multiplex Showcase Cinemas.
The 16-screen theater, which closed in 2018 due to undisclosed “business circumstances,” was demolished shortly afterward. While plans for redevelopment were hinted at years ago, the first formal proposal emerged in late 2023, leading to three public hearings before the Planning Board.
The Proposal for 339 River Road
The developer, 339 River Road Holdings, sought approval to build a one-story, 108,000-square-foot retail building, including about 50,000 square feet for a grocery store. The plan also featured a rooftop parking deck for roughly half of the 755 total parking spaces.
During hearings between November 27, 2023, and February 26, 2024, the board heard testimony from a civil engineer, an architect, and a traffic engineer. However, in March 2024, the board voted to deny the application, citing traffic and rooftop parking safety concerns.
Judge Calls Denial “Arbitrary”
The developer appealed, and on July 14, 2025, the court ruled in favor of 339 River Road Holdings, calling the Planning Board’s denial “arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable and wholly unsupported by the record.”
The judge’s decision emphasized that the board relied on “unsubstantiated beliefs” rather than evidence, ignored expert testimony, and provided no credible counterarguments. As a result, the denial was deemed void, and the project was approved “without need for remand.”
Reactions to the Ruling
Roger Plawker, counsel for the developer, welcomed the decision:
“The court recognized that the owner’s as-of-right development application should have been approved by the planning board. We look forward to working with the Borough of Edgewater and all stakeholders to develop this property for the benefit of all involved.”
Edgewater Mayor Michael McPartland, however, voiced strong opposition in an August 4 letter to residents, saying the borough will appeal:
“Instead of working with the borough to scale down the size of the development, the applicant filed an appeal. They are trying to protect their bottom line and do not care about the safety or concerns of the borough.”
What’s Next?
The legal battle over the 339 River Road site is not over. The borough plans to challenge the court’s ruling, while the developer pushes forward with its big-box vision. The project could become a defining land use fight for Edgewater in the years ahead.
Tell your story #TheRidgewoodblog , #Indpendentnews, #information, #advertise, #guestpost, #affiliatemarketing,#NorthJersey, #NJ , #News, #localnews, #bergencounty, #sponsoredpost, #SponsoredContent, #contentplacement , #linkplacement, Email: Onlyonesmallvoice@gmail.com
