Manalapan commissioners moved ahead with a plan to explore building a new Town Hall at the corner of Ocean Boulevard and Ocean Avenue.

At the Sept. 8 commission meeting, they heard from eminent domain attorney Doug MacGibbon, who has been hired to explore acquiring the property — an outparcel at Plaza del Mar — that was once home to a gas station, then a bank that was eventually converted into office space.

MacGibbon also serves as Manalapan’s special magistrate, conducting hearings and issuing rulings related to code violations.

“This is the best time to do this,” MacGibbon told commissioners, explaining that the vacant lot presents a unique opportunity for town expansion. He recommended hiring an appraiser to conduct a comprehensive valuation, with initial property assessments suggesting a value around $1.3 million.

However, he cautioned commissioners, “This is an expensive adventure.”

“It’s going to be more expensive than usual, because this is a barrier island and all your values are going to be higher than most other places,” MacGibbon said. He said professional fees from the seller’s attorneys could add $1 million. He also encouraged the town to start negotiating with Plaza del Mar’s owner to purchase property around the site for parking.

One wrinkle is that MacGibbon’s research showed that gas tanks from the former service station are still on site.

“So that becomes an appraisal issue with regards to the cost to either remove the tanks or to have them pumped full of sand and sealed,” he said.

— John Pacenti

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