Two properties have been dropped from a broader redevelopment study of Pierce and Fulton Street properties.

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City Council unanimously passed a resolution (AR-184-23) during its combined regular and pre-conference meeting on Aug. 7, rescinding two resolutions approved in June, essentially pulling two properties from the redevelopment investigation but moving forward with a study of six properties – four of which have already been acquired by a developer.

The two properties dropped from the redevelopment study are 1308 Pierce St., (Block 312 Lot 5), the office of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 522, and 1305 Fulton St. (Block 312, Lot 23), a commercial building that’s the corporate home of several businesses, including Lionheart Maintenance and IPT Inc.

“After further review, it has been determined that the investigation of the entirety of properties authorized…is not necessary at this time,” according to the resolution. There were no questions or comments from council members or the public when the resolution was unanimously approved at the Aug. 7 meeting.

“The city is taking a more conservative approach and conducting a more targeted study. We do not want to be too aggressive with eminent domain,” William George, the city’s public relations coordinator, said via email in response to questions after the resolutions were adopted. No word on whether there were requests or threats from the property owners to exclude their lots from the study.

The new resolution directs the Planning Board to investigate the following six properties:

• 65-73 E. Milton Ave./Block 312, Lots 1.01
• 97 E. Milton Ave./Block 312, Lot 3
• 1348 Pierce St./Block 312, Lot 4.01
• 1340 Pierce St./Block 312, Lot 4.02
• 1334 Pierce St./Block 312, Lot 4.03
• 1349-53 Fulton St./Block 312, Lot 4.04

City Council in June identified properties in three areas around town for investigation by the Planning Board to determine whether they qualify for redevelopment under state law.

Lavallette-based firm AST Development, the developers behind Reva Rahway on Main Street and Metro Rahway on Campbell Street, acquired three Pierce Street properties and the corner property at 97 E. Milton Ave. several years ago.

The 65-73 E. Milton Ave. building (Block 312, Lots 1.01) has several active ground-floor retail tenants, including Michelino’s Pizza, Copacabana Coffee & Bagels, Barber Gods, and T-Mobile. The two-story, mixed-used building was constructed in the early 2000s by Silcon Construction, the developers behind Carriage City Plaza across the street. It went into foreclosure in 2015 and has changed hands several times since, most recently acquired in 2017 for $1.979 million by Fanwood-based Rinshawn Milton Ave., LLC, according to property records.

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