A major revitalization effort underway near a transit hub in East Orange has just been awarded a sizable state incentive, as construction of the first phase hopes to wrap next year.
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) recently awarded 533 Main Street LLC of East Orange more than $297 million in tax credits for The Crossings at Brick Church. The development, a multi-phased transit-oriented project, seeks to revitalize a former parking lot and underutilized land near NJ Transit’s Brick Church Train Station into a mixed-income community.
The first phase of The Crossings at Brick Church Station, called Embark, will consist of a nine-story building with 420 multifamily rental units. The complex will include 84 affordable housing units plus an additional 63 workforce housing residences, with March Construction overseeing the buildout.
The first portion of the project will also feature an 85,000 square foot storefront for grocery-anchored retail. The development additionally includes 342 parking spaces in a garage for residents.
“Our city stands at a pivotal moment, a chance to honor our past and build our future,” said East Orange Mayor Ted R. Green in a statement. “This project is a beacon that will inspire our youth and drive our community forward. We’re doing this with compassion for every neighbor, with the authenticity of who we are, and with the knowledge that our collective strength will make a significant difference in the lives of others.”
The Crossings at Brick Church will also comply with the Energy Star Homes Program included in the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Financing Agency’s Green Standard Requirements. The project is also supported by Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) through the NJHMFA.
More is coming to the property as part of the development’s second phase, which is tentatively slated to include 420 sustainably built, mixed-income apartments plus amenities like a clubhouse, well-appointed courtyards, a dog run, a podcast studio, and a top-of-the-line gym.
A brand-new pedestrian promenade and public plaza directly connecting Brick Church Station to Main Street will be built as part of the second phase, which is slated to include an additional 111,000 square feet of retail space.
All told, the entirety of the project will add 820 mixed‑income residences, over 200,000 square feet of grocery-anchored retail, a pedestrian promenade, and a 1,200‑space garage to the landscape around the Brick Church neighborhood.
