City Council last week designated the former St. Mark’s property on Hamilton Street, and five adjacent lots, as a condemnation redevelopment area, authorizing the preparation of a redevelopment plan for the area.

The governing body unanimously (6-0) approved a resolution (AR-179-19) during its combined regular/pre-conference meeting on Aug. 12. Council members James Baker, Bob Bresenhan and Jeremy Mojica were absent. The next step will be the preparation of a redevelopment plan by the city’s Director of Planning, which will be submitted to City Council.

The Planning Board recommended the designation of the six lots as a condemnation redevelopment area, pursuant to the state Redevelopment Law. The designation authorizes the city to “exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire properties within the study area in the event it is determined that such acquisition is necessary.”

The six properties in the redevelopment area are:

• 288 Seminary Ave., Block 162, Lot 8
• 277 Hamilton Ave., Block 162, Lot 9 (St. Mark’s)
• 308 Seminary Ave., Block 162, Lot 10
• 322 Seminary Ave., Block 162, Lot 11
• 1613-17 Gordon Place, Block 162, Lot 12
• 309 Hamilton St., Block 162, Lot 13

The former St. Mark’s property, the only lot among the six that’s not residential, is the largest among the nearly 1.5 acres, accounting for almost two-thirds of the redevelopment area. It’s also assessed for $666,700, more than the entirely of the other five properties, which are assessed for a combined $690,400, making for a total $1.357 million in tax assessments.

Demolition of the vacant St. Mark’s Church building, which is  still owned by the Archdiocese of Newark, started about a year ago and was completed this spring.

Within 10 days (Aug. 22), a copy of the resolution is expected to be sent to all property owners within the study area as well as anyone “who filed a written objection to the proposed Condemnation Redevelopment Area determination and who indicated in such written objection an address to which notice of the determination may be sent.”

In June, the Planning Board was presented with an investigative study by city planners and determined that the six lots as a whole qualify for redevelopment under the state’s Local Housing and Redevelopment Law.

City Council in February formally requested the Planning Board study the six properties on Hamilton Street, Gordon Place and Seminary Avenue. The Redevelopment Agency followed that up by awarding a contract to appraise the properties, along with three adjacent parcels on Irving Street and Seminary Avenue.