SEND OUT THE CLOWN
Controversial Development Plan Threatens Beloved Weird NJ Landmark – The Evil Clown of Middletown
The giant metal clown sign with the sinister grin which graced the cover of Weird NJ issue #7 is in danger of falling to development. The 30-foot-tall sign, which once rotated on an motorized spindle, was built to advertise Joseph Azzolina’s Food Circus store (the predecessor to today’s Foodtown supermarket chain). The “Evil Clown,” as most now refer to him, has occupied a spot alongside Route 35 North in Middletown since 1956. All of that might soon change though, if developers have their way.

Middletown in Monmouth County is a sprawling landscape of rolling hills and horse farms, divided down the middle by the strip mall lined confusion or Route 35. It has no real town center. Recently something new has been proposed that has divided Middletown residents once again – a 132 acre development along Route 35 to be build as a commercial and social center unlike anything Middletown has ever known.

Proponents of the planned development, which would contain 740,000 square feet of retail space, 250,000 square feet of office space, 220 residential units, a new school and a 58,000 square foot movie theater, see it as a source of unification for the township. As stated on their website, www.middletowncenter.com, they foresee it giving “Middletown residents... the chance to go to one central location for a variety of civic, recreational and shopping needs.”

Opponents of the site see it as a glorified strip mall which will destroy the quality of life Middletown residents have come to expect. They argue that it endangers natural wetlands and will further increase traffic on the already congested Route 35. These naysayers claim that the public relations scheme of promoting the site as a town center is merely a way of disguising the fact that the site is just more unnecessary suburban sprawl. In their eyes, while the site would increase tax revenue, it would also overcrowd schools and train stations. They have battled development efforts valiantly, and their views can be found at www.notowncenter.com. They also have an on-line petition at their web site where folks can log-in and be counted.

We here at Weird NJ are especially concerned about this development because it will destroy the infamous Evil Clown of Route 35, which currently advertises Spirits Liquors. The idea that a true roadside attraction, well known landmark, and piece of local lore is going to be sacrificed to more townhouses, retail shops, and movie theaters is a true source of dismay. Jersey has thousands of bland retail shops, even more cookie cutter townhouses, and hundreds of look-alike multi-plexes. But we only have one giant Evil Clown.

All For One, and One For Evil! Weird NJ’s Mark Sceurman (center) bands together with Roadside America founders Ken Smith (left) and Doug Kirby to lend a finger to help save a weird roadside icon.