Newark council advances multiple tax abatements as residents demand affordability, oversight

The Newark Municipal Council on Feb. 19 advanced and in several cases adopted multiple redevelopment financing measures that include long-term tax abatements for projects in the Central Ward and other parts of downtown, prompting a steady stream of public comment demanding clearer affordability guarantees and oversight.

Supporters and residents who spoke during a lengthy public hearing pressed the council to explain how abatements are awarded, who benefits and whether the city tracks developers' compliance with affordable-housing and resident-employment commitments.

The debate focused on a 30-year tax abatement for a project on Brantford Place (identified on the agenda as 20 Brantford Urban Renewal LLC) and related financial agreements that split an earlier approved project into multiple phases. Deputy Mayor Lisonbee Ladd, director of economic and housing development, told the council the underlying project was approved in 2020 and that the current ordinances divide the previously approved plan into separate financial agreements because different funders are providing financing for separate phases. "Phase 1 has already been completed," Ladd said. "The only difference is now there will be 3 as opposed to 1 financial agreement that is related to each of the projects. There is no change in the incentive that's being granted by the city that was approved in 2020." (Lisonbee Ladd, Director of Economic and Housing Development)

Why it matte…