As the real estate market remains strong, and property values continue to rise across many asset classes, commercial property owners need to be aware of the growing trend with municipalities aggressively seeking to substantially increase tax assessments for commercial properties by filing their own tax appeals.
Applications underway for Aspire, a program poised to spur large-scale urban development
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority is now accepting applications for Aspire, an aggressive tax credit program that was designed to encourage redevelopment projects using incentive awards to reimburse developers for certain project financing gap costs. With high costs of construction and mandates at the municipal level related to affordable housing requirements as part of market-rate development projects, the need for a gap financing tool is critical and welcomed by those trying to operate in a tight market.
Preparing for your next DCA inspection — and new emergency contact info requirements
On Nov. 8, 2021, New Jersey enacted N.J.S.A. 55:13A-7.19, setting forth new requirements for landlords of multifamily dwellings. The law was designed to supplement the existing Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law (N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq.), which is enforced by the Department of Community Affairs’ (“DCA”) Bureau of Housing Inspection. Under the new law, landlords of multifamily dwellings must provide tenants and prospective tenants with specific information regarding emergency contact instructions and how to contact social services for assistance.
Redevelopment trends: New York tristate’s redevelopment in turmoil
Redevelopment activity in the New York Tristate Region is searching for direction. Post-pandemic, there is pressure to redefine business, retail and residential redevelopment programs. The revised target forces everyone to take a longer look and a broader view of the various impacts this redefinition may bring.
Inflation and the effects on new construction in 2022
As the United States tries to claw its way out of the COVID-19 pandemic, a long-discussed concern in the market has finally started to come to fruition and affect the economy globally. A disrupted supply chain, labor shortages and record government stimulus has begun to drive prices higher leaving nearly all industries uncertain of what the future holds. For the real estate and construction industry, an elevated inflation rate and the setbacks from the pandemic have resulted in what some call a perfect storm that is showing to have a magnified impact on the development costs and timelines of new projects.
Expect the unexpected: Addressing supply chain leasing concerns in 2022
As we say goodbye to 2021, New Jersey’s robust commercial real estate industry has a lot to look forward to in 2022. Whether it be the ever-increasing demand for new industrial space or the development of new and/or expanded tenant spaces as employees continue their return to the workplace, construction activity will likely continue to surge in 2022. Notwithstanding such, however, landlords and tenants must remain mindful that COVID-19 will continue to impact the commercial real estate industry next year and beyond.
Conditions on PILOT agreements: What developers, municipalities need to consider
As the Long Term Tax Exemption Law has become more widely used, local and state legislatures have increasingly sought to impose additional conditions on developers for receiving payment in lieu of taxes agreements, or PILOTs. But it is important for municipalities and developers to remember that these conditions are not without limit.
It’s here: Preparing for the upcoming recreational cannabis haze and craze
It is anticipated that state regulators will unveil the application process at any time within the next several weeks in order to commence the processing and issuance of recreational cannabis licenses in New Jersey. Thus, there is considerable excitement amongst real estate operators and potential cannabis businesses for the inevitable rapid and (likely) significant growth of the cannabis industry in New Jersey in the coming months and years. Notwithstanding such, as cannabis businesses will be highly regulated at both the state and local level (and remain illegal under federal law), it is critical that property owners and business owners fully evaluate the many regulatory, zoning, operational, and financing challenges associated with utilizing properties for cannabis uses.
The value of a pre-construction and development manager
Construction and development has time and time again proven to be an unpredictable environment. That is especially evident in today’s climate amidst the rollercoaster of material and labor costs, shifting demand of assets and challenges navigating political landscapes. For any novice or even seasoned property owner, this provides an extra layer of challenges when it comes to development. A proactive solution for owners to mitigate risk and explore additional value is to secure a strong Construction Manager.
