After being on the books for around two years, plans are moving forward for a major redevelopment at one of the largest vacant lots in Essex County’s second biggest city.
From 1969 until 2004, 11-41 Sussex Avenue in East Orange was home to Arcadian Gardens, an eight-acre public housing project run by the East Orange Housing Authority along Newark’s western border. Known to locals as “Lil City,” the complex was later torn down, turning what was once a densely populated community into an empty field. However, construction is now underway to bring another development to the property.
A groundbreaking was held earlier this year at the site, which will soon contain a 60,000- square-foot warehouse and distribution center for businesses like Wisconsin-based roofing supplier ABC Supply Co. Inc., along with an urban farm and an education center. The project, which was first reported on Essex County Place in 2016, is being referred to by the City of East Orange as “Sussex Avenue Urban Renewal.” The construction of the development involves Hunterdon County-based J.G. Petrucci Company, Inc., TD+Partners of West Orange, Think Wilder Architecture of New York, and Warren Township-based Bohler Engineering. Woodmont Industrial Partners of Fairfield was designated as the redeveloper of the site two years ago, according to city records.
The new project is also expected to include a residential component. A legal notice from City Hall stated that the East Orange Planning Board was scheduled to hear plans on May 22 and June 6 for a four-story development at the 12-26 Ninth Avenue portion of the property. The application by Boston-based Sussex Walk Urban Renewal, LLC sought Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan approval with several waivers in order for the proposed building to include 80 residential units on 101,920 square feet. 89 parking spaces, 70 short of the required amount under the area’s zoning, would be provided for the building.
The website for TD+Partners describes the apartments as “high quality affordable housing” and states that the warehouse will create 100 new jobs.
