Revises various requirements of New Jersey Aspire Program and establishes Redevelopment Project Bridge Financing Program.
Among its many provisions, A5833 reduces the required amount of commercial space needed for transformative projects from 50,000 square feet to 20,000 square feet. This change is intended to stimulate development, especially in locations with a pressing need for redevelopment opportunities. Additionally, it establishes a required occupancy rate of at least 60% for developers to maintain their tax credits, thereby attaching a performance metric to the incentives provided. This is expected to increase accountability in how developers manage properties post-redevelopment.
Assembly Bill A5833 revises key components of the New Jersey Aspire Program and introduces a new Redevelopment Project Bridge Financing Program, aiming to enhance the scope and effectiveness of redevelopment projects in the state. This bill modifies definitions related to commercial and mixed-use projects and outlines conditions for various tax credit pathways, including how the occupancy of properties will affect eligibility for continuing tax credits.
One contentious aspect of the bill is its exemption of certain developers from community benefits agreements once local approvals for redevelopment projects are met. Opponents of this measure argue that it could undermine local authority and the ability of communities to demand specific benefits from large developments, thus limiting the input of residents in significant local changes. Proponents assert that this could streamline processes and reduce bureaucratic hurdles, accelerating necessary redevelopment projects.