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Newark Council OKs 30‑year abatement for 1098 Broad Street; developers to fund off‑site affordable units
Summary
The Newark Municipal Council adopted a 30‑year tax abatement for 1098 Broad Street Urban Renewal Company LLC after public comment and a staff briefing that said affordable units will be provided off‑site and the developer will pay into the city’s affordable housing trust.
The Newark Municipal Council on April 2 adopted an ordinance granting a 30‑year tax abatement to 1098 Broad Street Urban Renewal Company LLC for a five‑story building with 35 market‑rate rental units in the East Ward.
City legislative staff said the Broad Street project is one of five related developments. “For this particular project, there will be affordable housing done off‑site at 69 Sherman and they are paying into the affordable trust fund,” Brandon, legislative administrator for economic and housing development, told the council during the public hearing.
The ordinance — sponsored by Councilman Gonzales and seconded by Councilman Quintana — drew several speakers during the public hearing who objected to the length of abatements and to the absence of on‑site affordable units. “You got a 30 year tax abatement yet none of you legislators have come up with relief for the homeowners in my community regarding extension of tax abatement,” Lisa Parker told the council, adding that large abatements without guarantees for local hiring or truly affordable units displace working‑class residents. Deborah Salters echoed those concerns, saying the project has “all market rate” units and “there is not even in your terms of affordable on here.”
Council members and administration staff responded that the Broad Street project is part of a bundle of five projects that together include affordable units or payments in lieu. Councilman Gonzales said the combined package will deliver roughly 32% affordable units across the five projects; staff confirmed that the 1098 Broad Street parcel itself contains market‑rate units while affordable housing obligations will be satisfied at the Sherman Avenue site and through contributions to the affordable housing trust.
The council completed a roll‑call vote following the public hearing and adopted the ordinance on final passage. The ordinance will be advertised as required by law and return for a public hearing at a regular meeting on April 16 or soon thereafter, the council president said.
The council’s action was procedural: it approved the abatement under the municipal process; the public comments and council questions focused on whether the package of projects delivers durable, on‑site benefits for Newark residents and how the affordable trust fund will be used.
What’s next: The ordinance will be advertised and brought back for the scheduled public hearing and final action at a future meeting; staff said additional documentation on the Sherman Avenue affordable component and the trust‑fund payment schedule can be provided to council members on request.
