Policy Page
Office market conundrum: improving economic indicators amidst minimal absorption

Experts see a significant conundrum in the office market, as every economic indicator used to forecast absorption performed at or above the forecast level. Further, closely related macroeconomic variables — such as office-using employment — grew steadily, meaning that more office employees were added without much corresponding space leased over the previous six months. While the first quarter reading of just 1.3 million square feet absorbed may be a one-time anomaly, it cannot be ruled out that a structural shift in the office space market has occurred or is occurring.

Government & Public Policy
Report by business, labor groups fights back against criticism of incentives

Amid growing criticism of the state’s incentive programs, a group of prominent business and labor associations are aiming to set the record straight in Trenton.

Industrial
I.CON panel: Same-day delivery pushing tenants beyond North Jersey, into NYC boroughs

Retailers and other industrial tenants have long counted on northern New Jersey as a hub for distribution into New York City, but the need for same-day and even two-hour delivery has pushed developers to make big bets in the outer boroughs.

Industrial
I.CON wrap-up: Opportunity remains for industrial in New Jersey, nationally

As New Jersey has shown, the industrial sector has become the new darling of commercial real estate in recent years. That was all too clear from the sold-out crowd of more than 850 development executives and other key players who descended on this year’s I.CON event in Jersey City.

Government & Public Policy
Liquor license reform bill clears Assembly committee

A bill that would expand New Jersey’s pool of liquor licenses, widely seen as a potential catalyst for economic development, has taken a key step forward in the state Legislature.

Event Coverage
‘A changing industry’ in focus as NAIOP gala honors CRE leaders, deals of the year

A crowd of more than 800 turned out Thursday for NAIOP New Jersey’s 31st annual commercial real estate awards gala, where the organization honored some of the industry’s top executives and unveiled its coveted Deal of the Year Awards.

Government & Public Policy
Oliver talks DCA changes, affordable housing at NAIOP forum

State officials are weighing their options for modernizing the Department of Community Affairs, Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver said last week, from electronic permitting to the potential to allow municipalities to privatize code enforcement. Far less certain is how they will tackle more high-profile issues such as affordable housing, shared services and the tax credit programs that have fueled development in recent years.

Events
Monmouth students offer vision for Roche site, win top prize at NAIOP competition

A team of Monmouth University students earned top honors recently at NAIOP New Jersey’s annual Intercollegiate Case Study Competition, offering a vision for redeveloping the former Hoffmann-LaRoche campus in Nutley and Clifton.

Policy Page
Collaborative deals: The new norm in Jersey

In listening to the presentations by the eight finalists for NAIOP’s annual Deal of the Year competition, what struck me most was the collaborative nature and level of cooperation that is taking place among all the participants in both the public and private sectors. It wasn’t always this way.

Events
Rutgers, Monmouth students set to weigh in on Roche campus at NAIOP program

Less than a month after hosting a forum for local residents and other stakeholders, the former Hoffmann-LaRoche campus will welcome aspiring commercial real estate professionals.