By WILFORD S. SHAMLIN
Courier-Post Staff

WEST DEPTFORD
Scenic riverfront property that seemed fated to become a dumping ground for dredge debris is now the future home of a $250 million hotel and executive conference center surrounded by an "urban village" with restaurants, townhouses and apartments.

"It's a great day in our community and a milestone of importance to the entire Delaware Valley," Mayor Anna Docimo said during Wednesday's news conference unveiling the conceptual plans.

New York City developer Mark Magarity said he surveyed RiverWinds, a 1,100-acre residential and recreational complex, for the first time five years ago. He said he immediately saw potential.

"I walked into what I thought, at that time, would become one of the most exciting residential and conference-class resort destinations on the East Coast. I was certain of that," Magarity said.

Plans for a 250-room hotel with balconies, 30,000-square-foot conference center and 435 residences were unveiled at the proposed site, across from the RiverWinds Community Center. The two top officials involved in the project, Michael McBride, chief executive officer of Namwest LLC, of Phoenix, and Magarity, president and chief executive officer for Sentry Hospitality in New York, gave brief remarks.

Namwest, tapped in July for the lead role in developing the site, has agreed to pay $14 million to the township for development rights.

Initially, the RiverWinds site was designated by federal agencies as a dredge-spoils dumping ground, but township officials and residents vehemently opposed that plan.

The township purchased the grounds in 1999.

With strong public support, the township crafted a redevelopment plan.

The community center anchors the RiverWinds complex, which also has playing fields, street hockey courts, outdoor amphitheater, and 2.8 miles of walking trails along the river.

Two communities for people over age 55 have been completed.

A hotel and conference center equipped with state-of-the-art technology is scheduled to open in the spring of 2008. Officials project the resort will host 150,000 guests and serve more than 200 weddings and social events per year.

State Sen. Stephen Sweeney, D-West Deptford, who is also director of Gloucester County freeholder board, praised township officials, including former mayor David Shields who was not present, for their vision and ambition.

"It took courage. When you think of a town taking on a project of this magnitude. . . . it's amazing," Sweeney said.

Norm Branyan, 60, of Blue Heron Drive, said that his only concern relates to traffic going up and down Riverwinds Drive if they put it back there.

But, he added: "If it helps reduce our taxes, I'm in favor of it."

Geoff Woods, 62, of Sandpiper Lane, said, "I'm quite pleased because I think it's going to be a quality development."

"We're going to do everything we can to make this project what everybody wants it to be," McBride said.

Reach Wilford S. Shamlin at (856) 251-3346 or wshamlin@courierpost online.com
Published: September 29. 2005 3:00AM