Votech's Mysterious Neighbor 177 Franklin St
- Bloomfield Sustainability
- Mar 21
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 30
We are curious about the the former Bloomfield South Junior High School, 177 Franklin Street.
What could a developer stand to gain from a multi-million dollar park at the Votech site next door?
See March 25, 2025 Jersey Bee Background Article on the Votech status. We will write about Votech separately soon.
209 Franklin St aka the 'Votech' Property
History and status as of September, 2024
Please see Maria Probst's excellent post on the Bloomfield Pulse Facebook page.
Development Proposals so far:
209 Franklin aka Votech (left)
177 Franklin, 2020 Proposal (right)
For now it appears that 177 Franklin Street is land banked, possibly due to the LLC owner and developer, Lance Robbins passing away in 2023. The developer's LLC continues to pay taxes, so we're keeping an eye on this property, and also looking into any campaign donations which may connect the properties further.
177 Franklin is physically ajoined, and 177 Franklin developer's profit margin will be intimately tied to Votech's future development.
Per the recently released 2025 Master Plan:
"South Junior High School Redevelopment Plan (SJRP) In 2015, the Mayor and Council designated South Junior High School as a Non-Condemnation Area in Need of Redevelopment pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 and subsequently adopted a Redevelopment Plan for the 3.6-acre site. In 2020, the Planning Board approved a site plan application for the redevelopment of South Junior High School to renovate the existing structure and construct a 20,000 square foot addition to provide 122 residential units, art studio/gallery space, amenity space, and space to be utilized for performing/visual arts and community events. This is the third proposal since the school closed in 1986, none of which have broken ground."
-P.69 5.6.3.8
"...The entire Township was declared an Area in Need of Rehabilitation in 2002 pursuant to the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (i.e., N.J.S.A. 40A:21-1 et seq.). Bloomfield can utilize the LRHL to prepare rehabilitation plans for the various commercial areas that includes design standards, and potentially a tax abatement program on improvements."
-P.73 5.6.5 Recommended Actions #4
BACKGROUND:
Bloomfield Public Tax Records, March 2025:
177 Franklin Street Block 335 Lot 26
Owner: Bloomfield South Jr. High, UR, LLC
PO Box 100843 Cranston RI 02910
Post Office physical address is 57 Rolfe Sq. Cranston, RI 02910
At Same PO Address:
Urban Smart Growth Hope Residential
Urban Smart Growth, LLC
Brick Investment, L.L.C. - Filed Feb 2025: CA File #202565915009
Principal Address: 1005 Main St #1220, Pawtucket, RI 02860
Mailing Address: PO Box 100843, Cranston, RI 02910
Lance Robbins, Urban Smart Growth's (USG) CEO and founder, died at 76.
-September 2023 - GOLocal Providence
Related Slideshow: Lance Robbins Controversies Through the Years
- GOLocal Providence (2016)
2023 Lance Robbins Obit
-Developer's website
2020 DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL
-Jersey Digs, August 18, 2020
see also Maria Probst's snapshots of proposed development on this post.
The Bloomfield Planning Board heard partial testimony on the application of the former South Junior High.
Application of Bloomfield South Junior High School Urban Renewal, LLC. As
Applicant & Owner for bulk variance, preliminary & final major site plan approval and any such other relief as may be required from the Zoning Ordinance of the Township of Bloomfield to convert the vacant building into 122 residential units, an art studio/gallery space, amenity space and space to be utilized for performing/visual arts and community events in a Redevelopment Zone on premises known as Map 14, Block 335, Lots 26, 30 and 72-75 better known as 177 Franklin Street.
Link to Anthony Marucci memo for reference: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BloomfieldPulse/permalink/3198741213554611/
This blog will be updated with additional findings
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