The Newark City Council recently voted to approve a 20-year tax abatement for a property already under construction near West Side High School in the city’s West Ward.
Officials voted to approve the tax break for the property at 448-452 South Orange Avenue, at the corner of County Route 510 and South 15th Street on July 15. The legislation states that the building will span five stories and include 34 apartments, nearly 1,900 square feet of retail space and 15 parking spaces.
It also stipulates that seven apartments will be set aside for affordable housing at 40%, 60% and 80% of the area median income (AMI), which is $137,800 for a family of four.
An archive from Google Maps shows construction of the apartment building began sometime after September 2024. The shell of the building was completed by September, and the building appears to have been topped out one month later.
Newark residents who submitted public comments about the legislation were unilaterally opposed to the adoption of the ordinance. In general, individuals who submitted testimony complained about the level of affordability. The median household income in Newark was $52,060 in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, far lower than the AMI figures used to determine affordable housing and tax incentives.
One resident mentioned that the storefronts in many of the newer mixed-use developments throughout the city remain empty. Two other residents also asked the city council to make sure these agreements provide more benefits to lifelong residents.
Despite the opposition from the public, the legislation passed 8-1. Council Member Donna Jackson was the only official to vote against it.
Before casting her vote, she said the city must address how it defines affordable housing so that lifelong residents can benefit from new development in the city.
“Unfortunately, I have to vote no to this and other stuff until we change this AMI,” she said. “The buildings downtown are not full. They’ve got many vacant units down there and they don’t take Section 8 [vouchers], so people are at a loss right now.”
Jersey Digs reported in October 2021 that a limited-liability firm affiliated with Roselle Park-based real estate firm GonSosa Development pitched the 34-unit building to the city’s zoning board of adjustment.
Records from the Essex County Tax Board show that the LLC, 452 South Orange Ave LLC, has owned the parcel since March 2020, when it paid $103,400 for the lot.
Jersey Digs reported in July 2025 that another LLC affiliated with GonSosa Development secured a 25-year tax abatement for the development at 666-676 South 12th Street. GonSosa is also a partner in the Rise Living apartment complex at 650 Springfield Avenue, which was led by Queen Latifah’s BlueSugar Corporation.
