Potential developers of a proposed 174-unit rental apartment complex across the river from downtown are interested in proceeding but may need some help from the Redevelopment Agency.
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City Administrator and Redevelopment Director Robert Landolfi briefed commissioners during his executive director’s report at the June 3 Redevelopment Agency meeting, held via Zoom.
Developers behind the proposal reached out and are interested in proceeding, Landolfi said. There is one “recalcitrant property owner they may need some help with,” he said, but they are anxious to get going. “They think the time is right for it,” Landolfi told commissioners.
Three years ago, Tesla Development presented a concept plan for 174 units called Bridgeview. Tesla Development last year secured a Flood Hazard Area (FHA) permit waiver through a settlement with the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the city. The proposal was contingent on securing the FHA waiver since it’s located in a flood zone.
The two-building project would encompass five existing lots that occupy about half of the block surrounded by Clarkson Place, Essex, Monroe and Bridge streets on the east side of the Rahway River, adjacent to a PSE&G substation. Developers aim to acquire five lots along Block 322 — Lots 4.02, 7, 8, 10 and 11 — comprising 1.8 acres.
Landolfi did not specify which property was “recalcitrant.” An email message to Joel Schwartz of Landmark Companies, who presented the concept plan in 2017, was not returned by presstime. He also is president of the Rahway Arts & Business Partnership (RABP).
The concept initially proposed called for one building with 110 units along Bridge Street and Clarkson Place. A second building would include 64 units along Essex Street. The entire complex would consist of about 60 percent one-bedroom units and 40 percent two-bedroom units, with some studio versions. Ground-floor parking is proposed at 140 spaces, including 77 spaces in the first building and 34 in the second, in addition to 29 surface spaces between the two buildings.
Any plan still has to come before the Planning Board. The Redevelopment Agency also has to designate Tesla Development as the redeveloper and develop a redevelopment agreement.
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