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Authority reviews status of seven redevelopment projects; possible revocations, extensions and new applications discussed
Summary
Counsel briefed the board on seven pending redevelopment sites in New Brunswick, including stalled starts on Jersey Avenue and Elks Building, a litigation-related delay at Lower George Street (NB Plaza), and environmental delays at Fulton Square. Staff flagged potential 90-day notices and one-year extension requests where appropriate.
Counsel John Hoffman presented a status update on multiple redevelopment projects the authority is monitoring and asked the board how it wishes to proceed where developer activity has stalled.
Hoffman summarized seven matters: Jersey Avenue (922 Jersey Avenue) — a 660-unit residential project with 1,279 parking spaces and commercial/office space whose construction start, originally scheduled for March 1, 2022, has not begun and whose redeveloper has not responded to the authority's written inquiries; Sovereign Consulting (flex warehouse and office) — no response to inquiries; New Street Associates (40 Livingston Avenue, the Elks Building) — a 24-story mixed-use project approved in February 2024 contingent on execution of a redevelopment agreement that has not yet been signed; NB Plaza (Lower George Street) — an 800-unit mixed-use project that had been subject to litigation but whose injunction was lifted and which has asked the authority for a one-year extension; Abundant Life (church property on George Street) — the developer requested a one-year extension to the start date because of litigation and a preliminary injunction that counsel said had effectively stopped activity for almost a year; LM New Brunswick (Millennium Bank property on Livingston Avenue) — the developer has filed a new application to be designated redeveloper and is expected on the May agenda; Fulton Square — counsel reported substantial environmental contamination requiring an additional 12–18 months to remediate and said he will confer with the developer's attorney to determine whether to grant an extension or revoke redevelopment status; and AST (county office building proposal) — the authority was told the city is considering amending the redevelopment plan and the developer has asked for the matter to be placed on hold.
Hoffman said the authority sent 10-day letters to several redevelopers who had not responded; he recommended proceeding to a 90-day notice where appropriate so the board can consider whether to revoke redevelopment designations if no substantive movement occurs. Commissioners asked for clarifications about how long litigation delayed work (counsel said the preliminary injunction paused activity close to a year for Abundant Life) and whether certain areas are formally designated redevelopment zones (counsel confirmed the Millennium Bank area is a redevelopment area but the developer has not yet been designated).
Chairperson Wright noted resident concerns about blight and landscaping around the Jersey Avenue site and said next steps will include further staff action and possible revocation proceedings if developers remain unresponsive. The board did not take formal revocation action at this meeting; several items will return to the agenda for decisions on extensions or revocations based on additional information and developer responses.
Public commenter Charlie Cradoville asked the authority to publish redevelopment documents and a map of projects on the authority website so the public can review proposals before meetings; staff said they would consider improving the website's redevelopment section and promised to report back on specific requests.
