(Cherry Hill, N.J.) – The Township has reached a tentative agreement with Advanced Recovery Systems to purchase the Masonic Lodge property on Haddonfield-Berlin Road to preserve as open space, Mayor Chuck Cahn announced today.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Township, together with Camden County, would purchase Advanced Recovery’s Agreement of Sale with the Masons for $300,000. In turn, the Township and County would purchase the property itself from the Masons for $1.4 million, with the goal of demolishing the site’s existing building and preserving the parcel for open space and recreational use.
镇议会将在今晚的会议上对这项协议进行表决。 On Thursday, Dec. 15, the Camden County Freeholders will vote on the Township’s request to utilize open space funds to purchase the property.
The Haddonfield-Berlin Road location is adjacent to Cherry Hill’s Brookfield neighborhood, and the facility would have directly abutted dozens of single-family homes, as well as Little League fields.
场地上任何类型的开发都是一个问题，因为它靠近社区、田野，并且在已经非常拥挤的地区增加了交通。
Advanced Recovery于2016年2月首次提出在共济会遗址建立设施，当时该镇开始与ARS合作，为该项目确定更合适的地点。
The agreement would end a lawsuit filed by ARS this summer seeking “default approval” for the project. 这起诉讼引起了布鲁克菲尔德居民和樱桃山美国少年棒球联盟成员的极大关注。
Today’s settlement fulfills the commitment by Mayor Cahn and 镇委员会 to protect the neighborhood by preserving the Masonic site.
“We have heard a great deal of concern from residents worried about the impact of any new development, and we have promised from day one to do everything in our power to protect their neighborhood and residents’ quality of life,” Cahn and Council President David Fleisher said. “The community remained engaged and in contact with us throughout the process, and their cooperation is an incredible example of the progress that can be made when citizens and government work with each other to achieve a positive result.”
该协议还将有助于振兴卡斯伯特大道（Cuthbert Boulevard）上长期空置的贝克巷（Baker Lanes）房产。
如果和解方案获得批准，Advanced Recovery公司将被指定为贝克巷房产的再开发商，该公司曾提议在共济会旧址建立住宅医疗设施。
“This agreement achieves the best possible outcome for our community, our residents, and the various stakeholders involved,” Mayor Chuck Cahn said. “It protects the integrity of our neighborhoods, preserves open space, and eliminates blight within the Township.”
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