- The Redevelopment Agency authorized a pre-development agreement with Tesla Redevelopment, which is pursuing the concept for the 300-unit Bridgeview project across the river from downtown.
The concept calls for the development of the entire block around Clarkson Place, Essex, Monroe and Bridge Street — which includes a PSE&G substation at the corner of Monroe Street and Clarkson Place. The pre-development agreement allows the agency to be involved in property acquisition, according to Redevelopment Director Robert Landolfi.
The agency likely will be involved in the acquisition of at least one foreclosed property and it’s easier for the agency to deal with PSE&G than a private developer, Landolfi said. While the agency can’t condemn the property, he said it can help identify another property for the utility. The five-story Bridgeview concept would be about 300 units across two buildings — one with 140 units and another with 160 units — on the entire block. The original concept plan had developers acquiring five parcels of about 1.8 acres. The newer plan includes 11 properties that total about 3.25 acres.
There have been instances in Rahway where original concepts didn’t make it through the final version partly because of property acquisition. Listen to the podcast for more on that.
- The Redevelopment Agency and City Council renewed contracts at their January meetings with the redevelopment director and city administrator. Robert Landolfi serves in both roles, technically he’s not an employee but rather an independent contractor, through Landolfi & Associations Government Solutions Corporation. Both contracts are for $65,000, a combined $130,000, and run through 2021.
Looking ahead:
There are no scheduled municipal meetings this week: City Council will next meet Feb. 8. The Redevelopment Agency’s next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 17. But something is coming this week: Look out for a new reader poll out early this week – be sure to vote.
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