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.

Government & Public Policy
State eyes sale, redevelopment of 230,000 sq. ft. office building in downtown Trenton

State officials are seeking a buyer to revitalize the 10-story, 230,000-square-foot office building in downtown Trenton that was the longtime home of New Jersey’s Division of Taxation.

Residential & Mixed Use
FMERA inks sale of Fort Monmouth parcel slated for 180-unit residential project

Somerset Development has closed on its purchase of some 15 acres at Fort Monmouth that is now slated to become a mix of new townhomes and restored apartments.

Professional Services
DMR eyes continued growth, pipeline diversity as design firm marks 30th anniversary

Three decades after its founding, DMR Architects has grown into a robust, multidisciplinary practice serving education, multifamily, health care and other public- and private-sector clients — with a pipeline valued at more than $1 billion.

Events
New Jersey Future, APA-NJ seeking session proposals for March planning, redevelopment forum

Two of the state’s top planning organizations are seeking ideas for discussion topics as they lay the groundwork for a multiday, virtual and in-person conference in early 2022.

Guest Columns
Turning the page on a challenging year for New Jersey’s apartment industry

Like everyone else, we expected 2021 to be better and easier. At the beginning of the year, the vaccines were starting to roll out, the feeling was positive and the worst was behind us. But then the reality of 2021 set in. Across the country, with the rise of the Delta variant, supply chain problems, labor shortages and unanticipated weather events, we were thrust into another difficult year. It wasn’t the 2021 we had all hoped for — it was “2020 redux” — and it was just as challenging but in different ways.

Government & Public Policy
Builders, public officials look to confront New Jersey’s housing supply and affordability crisis

Homebuilders joined key public officials at the Atlantic Builders Convention last month to confront New Jersey’s housing supply and affordability crisis, pledging a spirit of cooperation as they search for solutions.

Government & Public Policy
Operator, public officials break ground on new 55,000 sq. ft. supermarket in Atlantic City

A new full-service supermarket is coming to Atlantic City — its first in more than 15 years — under a public-private effort that will help eliminate one of New Jersey’s food deserts.

Government & Public Policy
EDA approves rules, set to accept applications for new Aspire gap financing program

State officials are set to begin taking applications under a new incentive program that will look to provide gap financing to commercial and residential projects across New Jersey.

Editor’s Note
A winning team

Commercial real estate truly is a people business, which explains why our stories highlighting new hires, promotions and other personnel moves are among the most popular. We’re fortunate to see a steady diet of these updates from all corners of the industry, including the types of announcements that have come from DMR Architects just about every year since we launched Real Estate NJ — five hires here, three new additions there — all to support a growing pipeline and portfolio that includes everything from apartments and hospitals to government buildings.

Professional Services
BLS adds tax credit expert to manage compliance for incentives recipients

Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Co. LLC, the Princeton-based site selection and advisory firm, has hired a new senior manager focused on compliance for recipients of government tax incentives.