A block in Newark’s University Heights neighborhood where several developments have been constructed or proposed over the last few years could become the site of a mixed-use project with more than 200 apartments.
An ordinance that is being considered by the Newark Municipal Council states that a project with 196 “market rate rental units,” 16 “affordable housing rental units,” and 2,092 square feet each of commercial space and “community space” is planned for 103-109 and 111-119 Sussex Avenue in the Central Ward.
The ordinance, which would grant a 25-year tax abatement to developer Thomas-Carter Village Urban Renewal, LLC, passed on first reading after being introduced on April 7, according to a public notice. Final passage could be granted by councilmembers during the meeting on Wednesday, April 21, at 12:30 p.m.
As part of “the abatement on taxation on improvements,” the developer would reportedly be required to instead pay an annual service charge.
The properties include a parking lot and a five-story former industrial building, but the ordinance does not specify whether the development would make use of the existing structure.
This development is expected to include 66 parking spaces, according to the ordinance. Although there is no public transit service directly in front, Newark Broad Street Station, the Norfolk Street stop on the Newark Light Rail line, and a bus stop on Orange Street are each located within half a mile of the site.
These two tracts are located across the street from New Hope Baptist Church. Municipal tax filings list the church as the owner of 111-119 Sussex Avenue while New Hope Now Community Dev Corp is named as the owner of 103-109 Sussex Avenue.
Thomas-Carter Village Urban Renewal, LLC was incorporated more than two years ago out of Fort Lee, according to state business filings. The ordinance associates the company with the address of The Alpert Group, a Fort Lee-based development firm that has been involved in projects such as the Harvard Printing Apartments in Orange.
Note to readers: The dates that matters are scheduled to be discussed by the Newark Municipal Council and other governing bodies are subject to change.
