The Redevelopment Agency extended the conditional designation for a developer of The Center Circle, moving ahead with one of three proposed concepts.

The agency last week extended the conditional designation for 12 months of Rahway Main Street, LLC, as redeveloper of the Center Circle site on Main Street. (Block 305, Lot 5.02). Resolution 26-15 was adopted at its meeting on Wednesday.

Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Leonard Bier explained to commissioners that the Center Circle owners had come to terms on an agreement with AST Development. The agency twice previously designated the Lavallette-based firm as redeveloper only to have it lapse. Carl Schulz of Center Circle this summer requested that commissioners delay designating a redeveloper while they evaluated three bids.

Commissioner Timothy Nash inquired as to what plans there are for the site now that a concept has been agreed upon and questioned why designate the developer for 12 months without a more specific plan. Bier explained that there is no redevelopment agreement yet but the most viable of three different concept plans was selected. The designation allows them to go forward, Bier said, and while he understands Nash’s concern, said the project had been on a bit of “treadmill” for six to eight months. Environmental issues on the site might take some time to be ironed out in the agreement and terms of the sale.

In a brief interview after the meeting, Bier said the maximum density on the 3.55-acre site would be about 200 units, but it depends on where the building ultimately will be sited.

Two years ago, AST Development proposed three, five-story buildings of 248 rental apartments. A revised plan of one 250-unit building was presented in December 2014 by Heartstone Development.