EATONTOWN - It's round 2 for the Monmouth Mall makeover.

Owner Kushner Cos. is taking another shot at a massive redesign, but this time the developer is bringing in a partner experienced in transforming old-fashioned malls into modern walkable communities. The first attempted redesign fell flat last year after some residents protested, and later sued, to stop the building of 700 residential units on the property.

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The new plan doesn't state how many units will be built at the mall.

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Kushner Cos. expects to finalize a deal to join forces with Rouse Properties this week, selling the New York-based real estate giant a 50-percent stake of the mall, said James Yolles, a spokesperson for Kushner Cos.

“We will leverage each other's expertise to deliver an innovative community-focused destination center that truly revolutionizes the way people live, eat, shop and unwind in Monmouth County and beyond," Rouse Properties Chief Executive Officer Brian Harper said in a prepared statement about the partnership.

The envisioned redesign will boast an expansive glass canopy that, according to one rendering from the developers, appears to stretch for several hundred feet. It will cover an area called the "culinary marketplace." And, as part of the makeover, the mall will be renamed "The Heights at Monmouth." The rendering can be seen in the video above.

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The developers say the marketplace will feature wine bars, upscale eateries and "tea boutiques" that will serve the heart of the property — which includes residential units.

But "tea boutiques" may not be enough to woo those opposed to the 2016 redesign — originally named the Monmouth Town Center. Four residents filed suit in October in Superior Court in Freehold to stop the redevelopment and ordinance change which allowed 700 residential units at the site.

"We don't need an additional 700 apartments in Eatontown. Anything else they want to do at the mall we'd be very welcoming," said Evelyn Guerrera, one of four plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

Neither Kushner Cos. or Rouse spokespeople have released how many residential units the new plan includes.

The two groups did say the transformational plan includes, "space to house a vibrant mix of shopping, dining, entertainment, leisure as part of 24/7 mixed-used center ... with the addition of residential space."

The partners anticipate presenting a site plan application to the borough that will allow them to start construction in 2018.

The next Planning Board meeting is June 5, however, there is no agenda posted for that meeting yet and it is unclear if the redesign will be heard next month by the board.

Neither developer gave a dollar amount on the investment they plan to make at the mall.

Mayor Dennis Connelly said the partnership is a positive step forward in transforming the mall.

"I am pleased to see Rouse Properties, a large commercial developer with a proven record of building attractive retail centers, join forces with Kushner Cos.," Connelly said. "It is a very exciting time for Eatontown and this is another example of industry leaders believing our town is the right place to invest for the future."

Rouse Properties, is a company owned by affiliates of Brookfield Asset Management, a New York-based real estate giant with $250 billion in management assets globally, according to its website.

Rouse operates 36 retail centers in 21 states encompassing nearly 24 million square feet.

Kushner Cos. became sole owners of Monmouth Mall in 2015. The company was founded by Charles Kushner, father of Jared Kushner, who is both President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a senior adviser in the administration.

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Previous problems

Kushner Cos. first presented design concepts to turn the mall into a 24/7 center to the public in February 2016. The group cited data from retail-consulting firm Green Acres Consulting about traditional malls shuttering across the U.S. as the reason to redevelop the mall.

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However, proposed uses — such as residential units — were not permitted on the property and the Borough Council voted against rezoning the property during an April 2016 meeting to allow a hotel and 800 apartments after residents complained.

Kushner Cos. representatives walked out of that meeting, stating they'd keep the mall "as is."

However, within weeks Kushner Cos. representatives and the borough were negotiating again.

The council reworked the zoning plan and approved it in September 2016 after Kushner Cos. eliminated the hotel and trimmed the number of apartments to 700.

The residents' lawsuit is set to go to trial in July. The plaintiffs are seeking to overturn the new zoning because they're opposed to apartments, which they contend the borough does not need.

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Guerrera said if they win their suit, the zoning ordinance would be declared "null and void," and the developers would have to start over.

The suit claims borough officials violated the state's open meetings law when they approved new zoning for the Monmouth Mall redevelopment.

The plaintiffs also contend the borough did not follow proper procedures when it approved the zone because it never made a formal motion to vote on it.

Andrew Bayer, the borough's attorney, declined to comment on the pending lawsuit that is before Superior Court Assignment Judge Lisa P. Thorton.

Kushner Cos. and Rouse Properties said the redevelopment will maintain the mall as an economic engine for the community that will provide jobs and tax relief.

Monmouth Mall totals 1.5 million square feet and is valued at $230 million. It is the largest single property tax contributor in the borough, paying $5.3 million in 2015.

Dan Radel: 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com