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.

EDA: Revival of historic Paterson stadium set to begin after approval of ERG award

A development team is moving ahead with plans to revive the historic Hinchliffe Stadium site in Paterson, following approval of a $67 million state tax credit for the project.

Regional mindset, new recipe needed to keep our talent and project pipeline flowing

It’s high time that New Jersey’s local officials start doing things differently and placing a higher priority on talent attraction, collaborative regional (not parochial) planning and being on the same page. Economic development experts from outside the state seemed to concur at NAIOP New Jersey’s recent Annual Meeting and Commercial Real Estate Outlook.

NJAA: State must act quickly with rental assistance, resist new mandates on landlords

The New Jersey Apartment Association has called for rental assistance since the earliest days of the pandemic, as it continues to defend against other legislative proposals that it says would have severe unintended consequences. In part two of his two-part column, NJAA Executive Director David Brogan discusses the ongoing need for assistance and the complexity of disbursing it even after it has been approved. He also highlights the potentially devastating effects to both apartment owners and single-family homeowners if lawmakers take actions that further curtail rent revenue.

Brogan: Eviction moratorium, questions on rental assistance still loom over apartment owners

It will soon be a year since the start of New Jersey’s COVID-19 outbreak, one that has rippled through the state’s apartment industry and left landlords with unease and uncertainty. In part one of a two-part column, New Jersey Apartment Association Executive Director David Brogan answers some of the biggest questions still facing the multifamily sector, including how owners of all sizes are dealing with nonpayment of rent and the ongoing eviction moratorium, along with the prospect of state and federal rental assistance.

DMR announces start of Ridgefield municipal complex

The borough of Ridgefield has broken ground on a new 27,000-square-foot municipal complex, according to members of the project team with DMR Architects.

Survival skills honed in 2020 lead to a better-prepared 2021

As Charlie Chaplin said in the last century, “Nothing is forever in this world, not even our problems.” That is, unless you don’t learn from your mistakes and continue to do things the same way. The days are numbered for any business, organization or government agency (without a rainy day fund) that doesn’t adjust, right-size their operation and get prepared for the next disruption that’s just around the corner.

Affordable housing consulting firm names new principal

A Hoboken-based development and consulting firm has a new co-owner after a recent promotion within its executive team.

Planting the Seed for A Greener New Jersey: The Intersection of Legal Cannabis and Real Estate in the Garden State (Part 2)

The current version of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act, which was passed by the state Legislature on December 17, 2020, provides a framework for legalizing recreational cannabis in the state, including six different classes of licenses to be considered by those looking to enter the cannabis business marketplace. As we discussed in Part I in our series on cannabis, early identification of an ideal region and/or municipality for the proposed licensed premises is critical to success. However, there are a host of other factors and potential snags that an applicant must take into consideration before selecting a location.

NAIOP New Jersey installs new board, details legislative priorities

NAIOP New Jersey installed its new slate of board officers on Monday, as the association offered a glimpse at its legislative agenda in a pivotal election year for the state.

Planting the Seed for A Greener New Jersey: The Intersection of Legal Cannabis and Real Estate in the Garden State (Part 1)

Most are undoubtedly aware that, in this past election, New Jersey voters overwhelmingly passed a ballot initiative to legalize the recreational use of cannabis for adults age 21 years or older. Due to our state’s geographic location and dense population, experts predict this marketplace will quickly become a multibillion-dollar industry. As we wait for the cannabis sector to spark up in New Jersey, now more than ever, those interested in joining the industry should evaluate what type of real estate space is best suited for this emerging industry, which will differ based on the type of cannabis license it seeks.