Government & Public Policy

From zoning disputes to the federal tax code, public policy affects the commercial real estate sector far more than you may realize. For industry leaders, government and politics demand constant attention.

Optimism for CRE in the new year

Overhauling the Energy Master Plan is an opportunity for impacted stakeholders, like you, to help improve what is currently an unrealistic policy document that has done little to accelerate achieving its lofty goals. Perhaps most striking about the current EMP is it lacks an unbiased estimate of what it’ll cost ratepayers, including commercial real estate owners and tenants. Gov. Phil Murphy acknowledged this glaring omission when he announced the 2024 EMP will “seek to better capture economic costs and benefits, as well as ratepayer impacts.”

Real Estate NJ’s 2025 Market Forecast

Commercial real estate leaders have entered 2025 with varying levels of optimism. That’s evident from this year’s Real Estate NJ Market Forecast, where you’ll find everything from caution to confidence about how the sector will perform as it balances strong fundamentals in several key asset classes with new regulatory headwinds, nagging inflation and what seems to be a lingering lack of clarity over when lower interest rates will truly impact the industry.

You can read all about it in our 2025 Market Forecast, which features predictions and insights from some of the state’s leading voices in commercial real estate.

Fully mobilized: Greek, chair of new ‘Circulate NJ’ coalition, sees breadth of membership as key to promoting logistics industry’s impact (and curbing misinformation)

Let there be no confusion: Circulate NJ is not a lobbying group, as David Greek is quick to point out, but a well-organized, diverse coalition that has assembled to promote the vast economic benefits of New Jersey’s logistics sector.

That message is at the heart of the new public awareness campaign that launched shortly before Thanksgiving, led by a membership that includes not just prominent developers but stakeholders ranging from dock workers and truckers to the likes of Amazon. All of which have a vested interest in promoting their collective industry and, in turn, defusing the hostile rhetoric and misinformation that has derailed a growing number of warehouse projects in recent years.

EDA approves $4 million grant to expand Showboat family entertainment hub in Atlantic City

A major expansion is coming to Atlantic City’s Showboat Resort, now a family entertainment destination, with the help of more than $4 million in newly approved funding by the state.

DIGroup leader Myers wins ‘Diversity in Business’ honor from Philly business journal

The Philadelphia Business Journal has recognized Vince Myers, president and cofounding principal of DIGroup Architecture, as a 2025 Diversity in Business honoree.

A new approach to housing policy where everyone wins

As New Jersey’s gubernatorial race heats up, housing remains a critical issue. Everyone agrees that we need more market-rate and affordable housing to meet demand, and there is also a consensus that housing prices in New Jersey are too high. But what can the government do differently to address these issues? Policymakers and our next governor need to acknowledge that current government policies are exacerbating these problems, not solving them.

Towns say they’ll appeal after judge rejects bid to halt state’s new affordable housing law

A coalition of two dozen towns vowed to appeal after a judge denied its request to pause the rollout of New Jersey’s new affordable housing law, in a move that allows state officials to proceed even as the court prepares for additional arguments in the case.

Cautious optimism: Developers, advocates say new DCA guidance brings much-needed structure to affordable housing debate

The path is by no means clear, not even by the most optimistic accounts. But new guidelines on addressing New Jersey’s affordable housing deficit is a key starting point for builders and advocates as they mull the next phase of residential development in the state. Stakeholders have said as much in recent weeks, conveying cautious optimism even as they grapple with the financial hurdles, legal battles and political debates that have slowed housing production in the past.

EDA approves $17.7 million Aspire award for Camden affordable housing, health center project

A development group has secured a nearly $18 million state tax credit award for a plan to build 30 units of affordable housing and a new health center in Camden’s Parkside neighborhood.

New 1.1 million sq. ft. Sayreville logistics park getting 10.5-megawatt solar project

Rooftop solar panels are coming to a newly built, 1.1 million-square-foot logistics park in Sayreville under an agreement between its developer and a renewable energy firm.