TOMS RIVER, NJ – After Mo Hill and the Toms River Township Council forced the closure of the Parkway Motel, formerly the Americana Motel on Route 166 in 2019, Hill’s running mate Matt Lotano purchased the property next door for $300,000 less than its township appraisal.
Correction: Initial story had the two properties flip-flopped. The story has been corrected. Lotano Construction bought the adjacent property, not the hotel.
Now, Lotano’s father’s construction firm which he is an employee of, Lotano Development, Inc. has purchased the adjacent property of the newly proposed hotel. The adjacent restaurant site was last appraised by the township for $600,000.
Related: 4 story, 79 bedroom hotel to be built on busy Route 166 in Toms River
According to the Toms River Police Department, the Americana was crime infested and was eventually forced to shut down by the township in 2019. It was one of Hill’s keystone achievements during the election campaign, to shut down the property known for criminal and drug activity.
Ten Arrested During Raid on Another Toms River Motel
The hotel is to become an Avid property, part of Intercoastal Hotels and Candlewood Suites. Hill spoke highly of the plan to expand to a new 4-story structure.
“I think it shows confidence in the community, that Toms River is a vital community and they want to locate there,” Hill said. “A lot of people come off the parkway and this will be a place where they can stay and go to the beach.”
On February 24th, Lotano’s firm purchased the property which served as a Japanese Hibachi restaurant for $364,000.
According to documents on file with the Ocean County Clerk, Lotano’s company bought the now vacant and devalued property from Red Star Management Corporation. Lotano’s company has not yet revealed what its plans are for the property.