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.

Petrucci, TD+ Partners break ground on 172-unit rental project in East Orange

A development team has broken ground on more than 170 apartments in East Orange, adding to the city’s fast-growing construction pipeline of market-rate and affordable units.

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.

Murphy, industry leaders break ground on 550,000 sq. ft. research campus in New Brunswick

Construction is set to begin on a two-building, 555,000-square-foot research complex in New Brunswick, the future home of the state’s flagship medical school and a place where startups can work side by side with New Jersey’s top health care and academic institutions.

NJBA leaders: Outlook for organization, industry strong despite challenges to housing supply

The Atlantic Builders Convention wraps up Wednesday, as the popular conference marks its return to Atlantic City after last year’s cancellation due to the pandemic. Below is part two of our conversation with Jeff Kolakowski, the CEO of the New Jersey Builders Association, and Josh Mann, the association’s board president.

Housing supply, affordability back in focus as Atlantic Builders Convention returns

The New Jersey Builders Association is set to welcome thousands of homebuilders, service providers and vendors to Atlantic City from Oct. 11 to 13 for the Atlantic Builders Convention, the largest building industry tradeshow in the Northeast, after an 18-month hiatus.

Which state or federal policy issues could be most impactful to commercial real estate in 2022?

We assembled a panel of industry experts to tackle this month’s question. Here’s what they had to say: Bob Atkins, principal, Atkins Cos. (West Orange) The possible elimination or limiting of the 1031 tax exchange program could have profound impacts…

Designing carbon neutral warehouses and last mile facilities

The phrase ‘Carbon Neutral’ is the latest climate-based trend we are seeing amongst some of the world’s largest companies, including Amazon, FedEx, Ford and many others. Becoming carbon neutral is the process of a building, or company, achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon neutrality is achieved by reducing carbon emissions or a combination of offsetting emissions where they would be generated elsewhere.

What you need to know today: the like-kind exchange strategy

A 1031 exchange (like-kind exchange) is one of the most significant tax advantages available to a real estate investor selling a property with large realized gains.  By implementing this tax strategy, it is possible to defer tax payments on the sale of an investment property indefinitely. While like-kind exchanges are common, there are still many complexities to navigate.  Given some of the proposed legislative changes put forth by the Biden administration and members of Congress, it may make sense to accelerate transactions into the 2021 tax year.

Developer acquires Teaneck apartment, hotel parcel for $10 million, Marcus says

A development site that could house a new apartment complex or hotel has changed hands in Teaneck, in a newly announced transaction by Marcus & Millichap.

Developer secures final approval for 500,000 sq. ft. mixed-use project in Hoboken, Jersey City

Local officials have cleared the way for a developer to break ground on what will be 500,000 square feet of new commercial and residential space at the border of Hoboken and Jersey City.