By: Carolyn Maxwell
Council President William Petrick
PERTH AMBOY – At the request of the Council, PARA Executive Leigh Ann Hindenlang presented PARA’s annual report. She stated that besides the PARA Commissioners, they also have an attorney, and an engineer on board. “They hire appraisers and consultants as needed. Since 2014, the agency has been stabilized and organized. In 2016, the City’s obligations were removed. Money is spent to advertise on billboards and other advertising resources. We also own land which we make money to pay other costs. There are 16 projects currently going on which will generate millions. The projects will include developing 210 acres and add 2,500 jobs over the next 5 years. There is a focus on the Gateway Development. The Redevelopment area covers a third of the City. The Elm Street Property was transferred to Duke Realty, and that Realty Company has a tenant who wants the entire site. E-Port 1 is completed, and it created jobs and revenue. E-Port 2 – we’re looking in August for a developer to clean the site. The current owner seems to want to keep the site. There will be sidewalk improvements from Harbortown to High Street. The remediation is almost done. For Second Street Park, PARA got the first check. There will be 6 acres of open space for recreation. Both sides of the Waterfront will be connected. It’s going to be hard to relocate those present businesses (Auto Repair and Towing Businesses on Second Street). We hope to begin remediation this year. There were holdups because of the EPA. There’s a new company opening up on Grant Street that will create 100 new jobs. They relocated from Brooklyn and received a tax abatement. This company will improve the sidewalks adjacent to the property. Perth Amboy Self Storage was approved for a public right of way. Another new retail company submitted a package to come into the City back in November. They are just waiting for the permits from the City.”
Business Administrator Frederick Carr then spoke up regarding the last company that Hindenlang just mentioned. “They had a change of a contractor, plus they had architectural changes. They submitted their application by piecemeal, and you can’t do this until everything on the application is completed.”
After Carr finished speaking, Councilman Joel Pabon spoke up, “This company is located at 500 High Street has been playing games with us for a long time. It’s a delay tactic. The application should have been done a long-time ago. We have control over this.”
Hindenlang then continued, “Regarding the project taking place by Dunkin Donuts, that would be on the North East Corner of the ShopRite Parking Lot. This project will incorporate green infrastructure.” Hindenlang then talked about the car wash located at the Corner of Convery Boulevard and Smith Street. “They are relocating and they’re contributing $25,000. No one owned the house that was taken down. On the other side of Convery Boulevard, there will be signage such as welcoming people to Perth Amboy.” She then went on to talk about the project located at the corner of Sayre Avenue and Smith Street. “RFP’s went out twice for this mixed-use property. We’re looking at 100 units with 1.75 parking spaces (per unit) underground. There is open space at the site that we can decide what we want to do. It’s predominately 1-bedroom and some 2-bedrooms. Some of the units are set aside for affordable housing.”
B.A. Carr spoke up again. “We are checking on our affordable housing obligations. We will never be at a deficit. We are doing a Master Plan re-evaluation. “
Councilman Fernando Iriarry spoke up, “I am concerned about the units going up. I’m more interested in home ownership such as condos and townhouses.”
Council President William Petrick added, “I echo Irizarry’s sentiments.”
Annie Hindenlang
Hindenlang continued to speak about the Fayette Street Public Works Site and options, “There are easement grants where you can fund up to 25% of the cost. The site can be sold for cleanup. There are 10 acres presently on that site are not being used at all. Smith Street Realty had been interested in the Site, but it found it too cumbersome with negotiations going back and forth. You (the Council) needs to make a decision on that site. There are 3 ordinances on the agenda for you to review and all of the parties involved on those ordinances are here to answer any questions.”
The first person to speak was Viridian Partners Tate Goss. He was there in reference to Ordinance No. 1 The Focus 2020 Redevelopment Plan for Redevelopment Area 1 (Gateway) in accordance with the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law. Re: Warehousing.
Goss explained, “They expanded the warehousing by 30,000 feet and there was space left for a park. There’s a lot of property left over for us to sell. A restaurant can be built. We got rid of the residential. A soon as we get the go-ahead, we can start on the project immediately. The retail market is strong.”
Council President Petrick spoke up and told Goss, “A Historian who is present in the audience right now would like to see a dig done on some of the property.”
Goss responded, “We’re open to that as long as it doesn’t take years.”
Councilwoman Milady Tejeda spoke up and mentioned she was happy with the improvements, but still had concerns about the truck traffic.
Councilman Helmin Caba then questioned if Smith Street could be widened a little more.
Goss responded, “That’s up to the DOT.”
Council President Petrick then commented, “I’m glad that the trucks will be off Market Street.”
When the meeting was opened up to the public, no one came up to speak.
Law Director Peter King was not present. Roman B. Himiak substituted in his place.
