A developer familiar to Rahway has purchased the former St. Mark’s church property and is expected to bring forth a proposal for the site early this year.

Become a Patron!
For RahwayRising.com’s 15th anniversary, consider a $15 contribution via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee – or support local news all year round by becoming a monthly Patron.

Meridia on Hamilton Rahway, LLC bought the Hamilton Street property (Block 162, Lot 9) in August from the Archdiocese of Newark for $475,000, according to property records. Meridia Living is the apartment brand of Capodagli Property Company. The Linden-based firm is constructing the 487-unit Meridia Brownstones, its fourth development in Rahway. It also has built, or is building, apartments in Bound Brook, Hackensack, and Roselle Park.

During the Redevelopment Agency’s Dec. 14 meeting, Commissioner Timothy Nash asked about the status of the St. Mark’s property. Executive Director Robert Landolfi said Capodagli has been in contact within the last month and expects to bring a proposal before the agency during the first quarter of 2023.

AST Development presented a concept plan for the site in late 2020. The Lavallette-based developer built Reva Rahway on Main Street. It also partnered on Metro Rahway on Campbell Street.

St. Mark’s Church was demolished in 2019. The property and adjacent lots were designated an area in need of redevelopment. The Hamilton Street redevelopment site is part of the Arts District Redevelopment Plan.  The plan includes a concept for 60 units: 16 townhouses along Gordon Place and Hamilton Street and a four-story, 44-unit building on Seminary Avenue.

Any developer still must acquire the other adjacent properties deemed in need of redevelopment to move forward with any plan. Of course, any proposals would need a review and approval by the Planning Board.

Capodagli is responsible for several rental apartment developments in Rahway. The company is in the process of building the multi-phase Meridia Brownstones on the site of the former Wheatana factory. It also has completed three developments:

• Meridia Grand (88 units which sold for $19 million in 2011) on West Grand Avenue;
• Meridia Water’s Edge (108 units, sold for $29.3 million in 2016) near the library; and,
• Meridia Lafayette Village (115 units) at the corner of Main and Monroe streets, which Capodagli still owns.

Become a Patron!
For RahwayRising.com’s 15th anniversary, consider a $15 contribution via PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee – or support local news all year round by becoming a monthly Patron.