The New Jersey Turnpike Authority has issued a legal notice regarding an eminent domain action involving property in Cherry Hill, Camden County. The property in question is identified as the Walt Whitman Service Area Remnant Parcel, which is located adjacent to I-295 and behind property already owned by the Authority.
According to the notice, a Verified Complaint, Order to Show Cause, Order for Judgment and Appointing Commissioners, and Declaration of Taking have been filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Camden County, under Docket No. CAM-L-2775-25. The defendants named in the case include DOUGLAS-ROBERTS ASSOCIATES, its unknown successors and assigns, as well as Jane and John Does 1 through 10 and ABC Business Entities 1 through 10. These latter defendants are fictitious names for individuals or entities that may have an ownership interest in the property but are currently unknown.
"Jane and John Does 1 through 10 and ABC BUSINESS ENTITIES 1 THROUGH 10, (fictitious name defendants), are named as defendants as persons or entities that are presently unknown and who may have a claim to have an ownership interest in the Property and therefore an interest in the condemnation proceedings."
The court has scheduled a return date for the Order to Show Cause on November 3, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Steven J. Polansky in the Superior Court, Civil Division, Camden County. Any responsive papers to the Order to Show Cause and Verified Complaint must be filed with Judge Polansky no later than October 9, 2025. If no responses are submitted by that date, the action may proceed without the participation of the defendants, and a judgment may be entered for the requested relief.
"PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Court executed the Order to Show Cause with a return date scheduled for November 3, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. before the Honorable Steven J. Polansky, A.J.S.C., in the Superior Court, Civil Division, Camden County. JANE AND JOHN DOES 1 through 10 (fictitious name defendants); and ABC ENTITIES 1 through 10 (fictitious name defendants) have the right to file any responsive papers to the Order to Show Cause and Verified Complaint with Judge Polansky no later than October 9, 2025. If no responsive papers are filed, this action may proceed ex parte without any participation from the defendants and a judgment may be entered against the defendants for the requested relief."
This legal process is part of the Authority’s efforts to acquire property needed for its operations and infrastructure projects in the region.
