More than a dozen properties considered underutilized were identified in the downtown strategic plan as “opportunity sites.” Some of the sites already have proposed concepts or in use another way while the plan suggested alternative development options” for others.
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Editor’s note: This is the 9th part in an ongoing series about the 94-page downtown strategic vision plan that was unanimously adopted by the Planning Board during a special meeting on Feb. 8 and presented to City Council on Feb. 14. This post focuses on those opportunity sites where concepts have been presented or likely to be pursued.
The 14 opportunity sites identified are:
Block 226, Lot 1 / West Scott and Elizabeth avenues- The Gallery Space / Seminary Avenue and Irving Street
- Former St. Mark’s Church site and neighboring properties
- Elizabethtown Gas Building
- Five-point intersection
- Union County College and Block 158 on Irving Street
- Esterbrook Avenue properties
- Properties on east side of West Main between railroad and Elizabeth Avenue
- Properties on south side of Elizabeth Avenue between West Main Street and Meridia Brownstones
- RSI Bank and neighboring properties (Block 154)
- Bridgeview site
- East Milton Avenue properties
- Former Mangos site and adjacent properties
- Main Street and East Milton Avenue properties
Several of the sites identified are part of the Arts District Redevelopment Plan, have had some type of concept plans presented at least at the Redevelopment Agency level, or may be part of other projects under way. Other sites have “alternative development options” presented in the plan.
Corner of West Scott and Elizabeth avenues/Block 226, Lot 1
Currently, the paved lot provides temporary parking for Meridia Brownstones along Elizabeth Avenue. The lot is within a redevelopment plan overlay area so based on existing zoning, the property is limited to ground-floor commercial with apartments above, per the redevelopment plan, or to underlying medium-density single-family residential zoning. The strategic plan recommends that future use of the site include a “small-scale neighborhood commercial project,” that can be stand-alone or part of a mixed-use development.
St. Mark’s Church site and neighboring properties
The six properties were designated for redevelopment by City Council in August 2019, and were identified in the Arts District Redevelopment Plan, which was accepted by City Council two years ago. In December 2020, AST Development proposed town homes and a public park, however, more recently residential development was described as potentially a “heavy lift” in the post-pandemic area. The strategic plan suggests residential development is a recommendation “that remains valid, however, a residential project is not the only type of development permitted on this site.” It also recommends implementing the public park component of the design that includes city-owned properties at Irving Street and Seminary Avenue (Block 162, Lots 5-7).
Esterbrook Avenue properties
Five properties along Esterbrook Avenue were studied last year by the Planning Board and then and declared in need of redevelopment a year ago. Last month, City Council designated a redeveloper, with a plan for a 60-unit senior housing facility. The properties consist of Lots 7, 20, 21, 22, 23 within Block 151.
“Due to the site’s location outside the core downtown, commercial uses are not recommended,” according to the strategic plan. “A new residential project compatible with the surrounding properties, for example, a senior project, may be appropriate for this site.”
Bridgeview site
An ambitious concept plan from a developer that’s been involved in several projects downtown has proposed 300 units on the block between Clarkson Place and Bridge Street across the river from downtown. More recently, the developer has “restarted the acquisition process” for the project. The area features a mix of auto-related and industrial uses and a PSE&G substation (includes Block 322, Lots 1-3, 4.01, 4.02, and 6-11).
The proximity to the Bridge Street pedestrian bridge, downtown and Merck “make it an attractive location for a potential mixed-used development.
The strategic plan recommends that any redevelopment include a “provision for substantial streetscape/public realm improvements that enhance the Bridge Street pedestrian bridge and connect the development to the rest of downtown.”
The area currently is within the CBD-3 Subdistrict which limits development to 4 stories and 50 feet, a 3.0 Floor Area Ratio (FAR), and 75 dwelling units per acre. The strategic plan recommends the city explore increasing the permitted height, and potentially density, at least along the Bridge Street across from the railroad, and Clarkson Place, across from the Rahway River.
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