Headline: Stratford’s Old Bradlees Near I‑295 Gets New Life — Warehouse Project Moves Forward After Fair‑Share Settlement
Stratford — A long-vacant retail landmark on the White Horse Pike is moving from mothballs to forklifts. Borough officials say work has resumed on converting the former Bradlees department store into warehouse space after Stratford settled a fair‑share housing lawsuit that had been holding up approvals. For residents and motorists who use nearby I‑295 exits, this project is a concrete example of two trends reshaping South Jersey: repurposing big‑box retail and the steady growth of last‑mile logistics.
Where this sits and why it matters
The former Bradlees sits along the White Horse Pike (US‑30) commercial corridor that links Stratford to neighboring towns such as Somerdale, Laurel Springs and parts of Washington Township. Google Maps shows the site’s plain but strategic footprint: a large single‑story structure with ample parking and direct access to the arterial roads that feed onto I‑295 a short drive away. That proximity to I‑295 — the spine for freight movement around the Philadelphia metro — is precisely why the old retail box is attractive to logistics users.
Bradlees was one of many discount department chains that anchored suburban shopping strips through the latter half of the 20th century. After the brand disappeared, its buildings often sat idle or slid into underuse. In recent years developers nationwide have found an easier path to fill those hulking spaces: convert them into warehouse or distribution functions that serve online shoppers and regional retailers. Stratford’s project is part of that larger pattern, and it changes the local calculus for traffic, jobs and the tax base.
What the settlement changed
Stratford’s developer had been ready to move forward, but a fair‑share housing lawsuit — part of New Jersey’s long and complex effort to ensure towns plan for affordable housing — created uncertainty over approvals and permits. Borough leaders reached a settlement that clears the way for the redevelopment to proceed. While local officials have framed the resolution as a practical step to unlock economic activity and increase ratables, it also demonstrates how intertwined development projects can be with statewide housing obligations.
What to expect on the ground
A warehouse conversion typically means new loading docks, spaces for trucks to stage, and reconfigured interior shelving and racking. For Stratford that brings both upside and concerns:
– Jobs: Warehouse operations can create dozens of jobs — from forklift operators and inventory clerks to maintenance and security positions. Many are hourly roles that can be important to residents seeking work close to home.
– Tax revenue: Rehabilitating a vacant property restores an assessment and adds to municipal revenue, which helps fund police, road upkeep and other services.
– Traffic and infrastructure: The tradeoff is more truck traffic. Local streets and intersections on the White Horse Pike could see increased heavy‑vehicle flow, especially during peak delivery hours. That’s a direct concern for commuters who use the nearby I‑295 exits and for residents along the distribution routes.
– Neighborhood impact: Nearby businesses may benefit from increased daytime activity and workers who patronize local restaurants and service businesses. But some neighbors worry about noise, lights, and the visual presence of shipping containers or trailers.
Community reaction and context
A scan of local sentiment — from neighborhood comment threads and business listings on Yelp — shows mixed reactions when big‑box properties change hands. Some residents welcome new jobs and a cleaner, active site versus boarded windows and rundown parking lots. Others want strict conditions on truck hours, landscaping buffers, and traffic mitigation.
Regional outlets like NJ.com and Patch.com have covered similar redevelopment and housing‑settlement stories across South Jersey, and the recurring themes are familiar: mayors tout jobs and ratables; advocates highlight affordable housing needs; planning boards wrestle with traffic studies and site plan conditions. Stratford’s decision to settle and move forward falls right into that familiar playbook.
What to watch next
For riders of I‑295 and neighbors along the White Horse Pike corridor, here are a few practical things to watch for in the coming months:
– Traffic studies and mitigation: Look for the borough planning board’s conditions — will the developer fund intersection upgrades, traffic signals, or dedicated truck turning lanes?
– Operating hours and truck routing: Communities often negotiate limits on overnight deliveries or specify routes that keep heavy trucks off small residential streets.
– Employment opportunities: Local hiring announcements or job fairs tied to the warehouse should appear as the project ramps up.
– Landscaping and screening: A thoughtful buffer between the warehouse operations and nearby neighborhoods can make a big difference in public support.
Why this isn’t just a Stratford story
This project is a local one with regional implications. The conversion of old retail space into logistics hubs is shifting how towns near I‑295 and other major corridors look and function. For drivers exiting I‑295 to reach work, schools, and shopping in Stratford and the neighboring exits, these changes mean more commercial traffic and a different pattern of daytime activity. For municipal leaders, it’s a chance to convert an underused asset into revenue — provided the infrastructure and community impacts are managed.
If you live in Stratford or pass through the I‑295 exits serving this area, keep an eye on borough notifications and planning board agendas. Redevelopment can bring tangible benefits, but it’s the local conditions and oversight that determine whether a project is a good fit for the neighborhood.
I’ll be tracking updates on the site plan, traffic mitigation measures, and any local hiring news. If you have concerns about truck routes or have noticed new activity at the site, drop a note — covering these projects starts with what residents experience day to day.
