News

By Dan Moffett

    The landlords of Manalapan’s Plaza del Mar hoped to be knocking down buildings to make way for a new Publix by now.
    They’re not, for two reasons: The supermarket chain’s architects haven’t been able to design a sign that is tasteful enough to satisfy the taste-conscious town commissioners. And a lawsuit against the project filed by Lantana resident Barbara Federico is still wending its way through the courts.
    Matt Buehler, retail vice president with plaza landlord Kitson & Partners, says demolition won’t begin until the two obstacles are removed.
    “People don’t realize this is a $10 million project,” Buehler said. “We can’t risk it.”
    Buehler and Publix have been trying to sell town commissioners on a sign design for six months now — a design that is far more understated than the familiar green-and-white logo that marks hundreds of the company’s storefronts throughout the Southeast.
    The latest failure came during the May 15 town meeting, when commissioners rejected a white-and-black, non-illuminated version they criticized as discordant with Manalapan’s unique sense of itself.
    Two newly seated commissioners, promoted from the town’s architectural board in March, led the opposition.
    “The discussions I participated in at ArCom, we focused on the fitness, charm, the compatibility with the overall ambiance of the town,” Commissioner Jack Doyle said. “While this sign may be perfectly nice and utilitarian, it does not in my view add to the overall character and ambiance of the town.”
    “Six months later, we’re still where we were,” Commissioner Hank Siemon said, asserting that Publix has ignored design suggestions from town officials. “Personally, I think we should look at the Eau sign and use that as a template. That’s a beautiful sign.”
    Across the street from the plaza, the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa has a metal sign with raised lettering that casts shadows when softly illuminated. Doyle said the Eau’s design is “classy and speaks to the character of the town.”
    Buehler said the town had given him a list of seven design requests at the last meeting on signage, and Publix had addressed all seven. Mayor Keith Waters agreed but said the commission is “a house divided.”
    Waters told Buehler to bring back a revised version of the white-and-black sign, along with an Eau-inspired design, to the town’s June 13 meeting and the commission will choose between the two.
    “We will approve one or the other. You have the commitment of the town,” the mayor said. “I don’t want to continue kicking this can down the road.”
    Meanwhile, town officials are hopeful a ruling on the Federico lawsuit will come this month. Federico, who lives about 500 feet from the plaza, objects to the size of the store, claiming it is too large for the space.
    Her suit also alleges the town did not follow its own rules in approving building plans for the supermarket.
    “It is inappropriate for the community and incompatible with the area,” she says.
    Town Attorney Keith Davis has said the plaza plan complies with the town’s code and commissioners acted lawfully in approving it.
    Though demolition is on hold, officials believe work still can begin this summer and the Publix can open early next year.