STAFFORD, NJ-Construction is just under way for a new 137,000-sf Target store. Site work is wrapping up, according to David Caldarella, project manager for the Walters Group, the Barnegat-based developer of the $400-million mixed-use Stafford Park project that Target will co-anchor. Target and its parking lot will occupy 12 acres within the 370-acre project, situated near the intersection of Route 72 and Recovery Road.

“The store building is expected to be completed within six months,” says Caldarella. “It's slated for a summer 2008 opening.”

Target will subsequently be joined on-site by Costco, Best Buy, Dick's Sporting Goods and PetSmart, all of which are expected to open later in 2008. They will combine with yet-to-be-announced retailers to make up the 650,000-sf retail portion of Stafford Park. The retail will be divided into two parts–a power center and a 90,000-sf lifestyle center that will be linked by a pedestrian-oriented market plaza. Nearly 670 residential units, 25,000 sf of offices and recreational facilities round out the site plan.

As reported by GlobeSt.com, construction for Stafford Park was preceded by a $31-million site remediation, a portion of which is still going on. The remediation involves tons of storm debris from a 25-acre unlicensed landfill and a licensed but retired 66-acre landfill. Also part of the project was the demolition and relocation of several facilities utilized by the Ocean County government.