Redevelopment
- Background
- Redevelopment Study Resolutions
- Redevelopment Studies
- Resolutions Designating "Areas in Need of Redevelopment"
- Rehabilitation Studies & Designations
- Redevelopment Plans & AGREEMENTS
- DESIGNATION OF STREETWORKS DEVELOPMENT
- PILOT & financial AGREEMENTS
Redevelopment Law & Tax Abatements
Beginning in September 2019, the Town Council has taken multiple steps to utilize redevelopment law and tax abatements to proactively drive economic progress and fiscal health for Westfield's future. These steps have included designating properties as areas in need of rehabilitation and areas in need of redevelopment, as well as allowing for tax abatement incentives.
Areas in need of redevelopment were first designated on four parcels on South Avenue East and one on Windsor Avenue (referred to below as Block 3307, Lots 1 and 2; Block 4004, Lot 17; and Block 4005, Lots 3 and 4). These were followed by redevelopment designations of the eight municipal parking lots, the Lord & Taylor properties, and the Rialto property.
In addition, the Council voted to designate the Downtown Special Improvement District as an area in need of rehabilitation, which allows for agreements with property owners to encourage them to improve their properties through five year tax abatements on the value of their improvements. A subsequent ordinance expands the capacity to allow tax abatements on the value of improvements made to historically designated properties.
Redevelopment Study Resolutions
- At its September 3, 2019 meeting, the Town Council voted to request that the Planning Board conduct a preliminary study to determine if Block 3307, Lots 1 and 2; Block 4004, Lot 17; and Block 4005, Lots 3 and 4 meet the criteria to be declared as "an area in need of development."
- Resolution 220-2019: Redevelopment of Block 3307, Lots 1 and 2; Block 4004, Lot 17; and Block 4005, Lots 3 and 4 (PDF)
- At its March 10, 2020 meeting, the Town Council voted to request that the Planning Board conduct a preliminary study to determine if the following properties meet the criteria to be declared "an area in need of redevelopment."
Redevelopment Studies
- Preliminary Investigation of Block 3307, Lots 1 and 2; Block 4004, Lot 17; and Block 4005, Lots 3 and 4 (December 9, 2019)
- Municipal Parking Lot Preliminary Investigation (May 14, 2020)
- Rialto Theater Preliminary Investigation (July 1, 2020)
- Lord and Taylor Sites Preliminary Investigation (July 1, 2020)
Presentations by Topology
- June 30, 2020 Presentation to the Town Council Regarding the Study of the Eight Municipal Parking Lots' Eligibility as Areas in Need of Redevelopment (PDF)
- July 20, 2020 Presentation to the Planning Board Regarding the Study of the Rialto Property's Eligibility as an Area in Need of Redevelopment (PDF)
- July 20, 2020 Presentation to the Planning Board Regarding the Study of the Lord & Taylor Property's Eligibility as an Area in Need of Redevelopment (PDF)
- August 11, 2020 Presentation to the Town Council Regarding the Studies of the Lord & Taylor and Rialto Properties as Areas in Need of Redevelopment (PDF)
Resolutions Designating Areas in Need of Redevelopment
- On February 25, 2020, the Town Council voted to designate Block 3307, Lots 1 and 2; Block 4004, Lot 17; Block 4005, Lots 3 and 4 as "an area in need of development."
- Resolution 64-2020: Block 3307, Lots 1 and 2; Block 4004, Lot 17; Block 4005, Lots 3 and 4
- On June 30, 2020, the Town Council voted to designate the eight municipal parking lots as "areas in need of redevelopment."
- On August 11, 2020, the Town Council voted to designate the Lord and Taylor and Rialto properties as "areas in need of redevelopment."
Rehabilitation Studies & Designations
- At the May 12, 2020 Town Council meeting, the Council voted on a resolution to designate the Downtown Special Improvement District as an area in need of rehabilitation, which follows a detailed study prepared by Town Planner Don Sammet and Town Engineer Kris McAloon that was referred to and approved by the Planning Board. An area in need of rehabilitation allows for agreements with property owners to encourage them to improve their properties through five-year tax abatements on the value of their improvements.
- On October 13, 2020, the Town Council voted to designate the entire Town as an area in need of rehabilitation, which follows a detailed study prepared by Town Planner Don Sammet and Town Engineer Kris McAloon that was referred to and approved by the Planning Board.
- On October 13, 2020, the Town Council also voted to expand the implementation of the Five Year Tax Exemption and Abatement Law to historically designated properties.
Redevelopment Plans
- At the November 10, 2020 Town Council meeting, the Council adopted an ordinance on second reading for a scattered site redevelopment plan, which allows for the Town to engage in discussions with prospective redevelopers for the properties listed in this plan. This redevelopment plan was approved by the Planning Board at its November 2, 2020 meeting.
- General Ordinance Number 2198: Adopting the Downtown Westfield Scattered Site Redevelopment Plan (PDF)
- November 10, 2020 Presentation by Hudson's Bay Company and Streetworks Development to the Town Council (YouTube Video)
- Presentation to the Town Council by Streetworks Development on November 10, 2020 (PDF)
- Downtown Westfield Scattered Site Redevelopment: Plan: Amended May 10, 2022 by General Ordinance No,2022-14 (PDF)
- At the February 23, 2021 Town Council meeting, General Ordinance No. 2208 was introduced for the adoption of the South Avenue Redevelopment Plan, which refers to Block 3307, Lots 1 and 2; Block 4004, Lot 17; Block 4005, Lots 3 and 4. These properties were previously designated by the Town Council as "an area in need of redevelopment" on February 25, 2020. The plan was adopted at the March 9, 2021 Town Council meeting.
- At the May 25, 2021 Town Council Meeting, the Council adopted a resolution approving a Redevelopment Agreement with WC North Urban Renewal LLC and WC South Urban Renewal LLC concerning the redevelopment of Block 3307, Lots 1 And 2, Block 4004, Lot 17, And Block 4005, Lots 3 And 4. This agreement effectuates development that is called for in the previously adopted redevelopment plan for this site.
At the June 29, 2021 Town Council Meeting, General Ordinance No. 2219 was introduced on first reading: An Ordinance Adopting the Handler Building Redevelopment Plan. The ordinance was adopted at the July 13, 2021 Town Council meeting.
- At the November 23, 2021 Town Council Meeting, General Ordinance No. 2231 was introduced on first reading: An Ordinance Adopting the Prospect & Ferris Redevelopment Plan. The ordinance was adopted at the December 7, 2021 Town Council meeting.
- General Ordinance No. 2231
- November 23, 2021 Presentation by Topology to the Town Council
- December 6, 2021 Presentation by Topology to the Planning Board
- Prospect and Ferris Redevelopment Plan FAQ
- Traffic Impact Study Town Council Presentation (April 26, 2022)
- Stonefield Traffic and Parking Assessment Report (April 26, 2022)
- WSP Review of Stonefield Report (April 26, 2022)
- WSP Response to Resident Questions on Traffic Impact Study (May 6, 2022)
- Prospect/Ferris Renderings (May 2022)
- Prospect/Ferris FAQs (Updated May 13, 2022)
- Redevelopment Agreement (Approved May 24, 2022)
- At the December 7, 2021 Town Council meeting, the resolution was passed to approve the Redevelopment Agreement for the Handler Building.
- At the January 31, 2023 Town Council Meeting, General Ordinance No. 2023-03 was introduced on first reading: An Ordinance Adopting the Lord & Taylor / Train Station Redevelopment Plan. The ordinance was referred to the Planning Board and unanimously voted in favor of consistency with the Master Plan on February 6, 2023, and was adopted at the February 14, 2023 Town Council meeting.
- At the February 28, 2023 Town Council Meeting, the Council adopted a resolution approving a Redevelopment Agreement and Public Improvements Construction Agreement with SW Westfield LLC.
Designation of Streetworks Development
- At the December 8, 2020 Town Council meeting, the Council adopted a resolution to conditionally designate Streetworks Development as the redeveloper for its Lord & Taylor properties, as well as for municipal lots 1, 2, and 7. Streetworks Development has committed to a fully transparent, public input and planning process. This designation is also contingent upon Streetworks Development reimbursing the Town immediately for the related redevelopment planning and legal costs incurred to date, and for them to incur all such costs going forward.
- On June 15, 2021, the Town passed General Ordinance No. 2216: An ordinance of the Town of Westfield Authorizing a Tax Exemption and Payment in Lieu of Taxes Pursuant to the Long-Term Exemption Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:20-1, Concerning Block 3307, Lots 1 and 2, and Block 4005, Lots 3 and 4, Authorizing the Execution of a Financial Agreement with WC North Urban Renewal, LLC, and WC South Urban Renewal, LLC.
- On Febaruary 28, 2023, the Town Council adopted a resolution approving the application by SWD Westfield Urban I Renewal, LLC, SWD Westfield Urban II Renewal, LLC,SWD Westfield Urban III Renewal, LLC,SWD Westfield Urban IV Renewal, LLC,SWD Westfield Urban V Renewal, LLC,SWD Westfield Urban VI Renewal, LLC,SWD Westfield Urban VII Renewal, LLC, and SWD Westfield Urban VIII Renewal, LLC,submitted in connection with a project undertaken pursuant to the Lord & Taylor / Train Station Redevelopment Plan.
- At the March 14, 2023 Town Council Meeting, General Ordinance No. 2023-07 was adopted on second reading: An Ordinance Authorizing the Execution of Financial Agreements with Each of SWD Westfield I Urban Renewal LLC, SWD Westfield II Urban Renewal LLC, SWD Westfield III Urban Renewal LLC, SWD Westfield IV Urban Renewal LLC, SWD Westfield V Urban Renewal LLC, SWD Westfield VI Urban Renewal LLC, SWD Westfield VII Urban Renewal LLC, and SWD Westfield VIII Urban Renewal LLC, Pursuant to the Long Term Tax Exemption Law and the Redevelopment Bond Area Financing Law.
- At the March 14, 2023 Town Council Meeting, General Ordinance No. 2023-08 was adopted on second reading: An Ordinance Providing for the Special Assessment of the Cost of Certain Public Improvements within the Lord & Taylor / Train Station Redevelopment Area, and Authorizing the Execution of Special Assessment Agreements with Each of SWD Westfield I Urban Renewal LLC, SWD Westfield II Urban Renewal LLC, SWD Westfield III Urban Renewal LLC, SWD Westfield IV Urban Renewal LLC, SWD Westfield V Urban Renewal LLC, SWD Westfield VI Urban Renewal LLC, SWD Westfield VII Urban Renewal LLC, and SWD Westfield VIII Urban Renewal LLC, and Further Authorizing Certain Other Actions in Connection Therewith.
- At the March 14, 2023 Town Council Meeting, Special Ordinance No. 2023-01 was adopted on second reading: A Bond Ordinance Providing for the Aid of the Lord & Taylor / Train Station Redevelopment Project Located in the Lord & Taylor / Train Station Redevelopment Area, In and By the Town of Westfield in the County of Union, New Jersey, Approrpriating $57,000,000 Therefor and Authorizing the Issuance of $57,000,000 Bonds or Notes of the Town to Finance the Cost Thereof.