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Council advances redevelopment packages including Richmond Towers and Joanne Hollis pilot agreements and community shuttle funding
Summary
Council reviewed multiple redevelopment resolutions and pilot agreements tied to Plainfield Housing Authority properties, approving several ordinance readings and noting a proposed community benefit package (about $700,000) to fund a three‑vehicle citywide shuttle; developers committed to Section 3 and MWBE hiring and a construction timeline beginning in late 2026.
The Plainfield City Council considered an extensive slate of redevelopment items from the Department of Economic Development, including community benefit agreements and pilot payment proposals connected to the Plainfield Housing Authority projects.
Economic Development staff outlined resolutions concerning Richmond Towers (225 units) and Joanne Hollis Gardens (128 units). Staff said combined community‑benefit commitments would total about $700,000 and that the proposed PILOT structure would run 30 years with an initial 6% payment rate for the first 15 years, rising to 8% for years 16–30. Administration projections cited approximate 30‑year cash flows of roughly $13 million for the Richmond Towers redevelopment and about $11 million for Joanne Hollis; officials said current status of the properties under Plainfield Housing Authority means tax revenue is not currently collected.
Keith Kennard, senior vice president for the development firm (identified in the hearing as a representative for the developer), explained the developer fee and tax‑credit–based financing model, said construction is expected to start in late 2026 (with most of next year devoted to financing and due diligence), and described resident protections: rights to return under federal law, in‑place construction strategies so residents can return in evenings, and temporary relocations or short hotel placements only for heavy accessibility work. He also described commitments to hire locally through Section 3 and MWBE contracting obligations and the use of job fairs and outreach consultants.
Council also discussed other redevelopment matters (a 115–157 East 2nd Street proposal switching from mostly market‑rate to 100% affordable, a designation for a Queen City Academy Charter School expansion, and amendments to multiple redevelopment plans) and asked staff to post more detailed information such as the list of 23 properties slated for storm‑repair funds. Several rezoning and redevelopment ordinances were read and advanced in the meeting’s legislative actions; some were adopted on second reading with recorded roll calls.
Council and administration said they will continue public comment on some items (including community benefits and traffic/parking studies to be completed through planning board processes) before final construction approvals and building permits.
