Real Estate And Development In Essex County: 2024 News Roundup

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County saw plenty of action last year when it came to real estate news, including affordable housing, homelessness, movie theaters, malls, power plants and the long-awaited Essex-Hudson Greenway.

Take a look back at our recap of real estate and development stories from 2024 (click headline to read the article).

Which Essex County Towns Have Highest Affordable Housing Quotas? (MAP)

Nearly every town and city in Essex County has a lot of work left to do when it comes to creating more affordable housing.

NJ Affordable Housing Lawsuit Includes 2 Essex County Towns

Some people say that New Jersey's latest affordable housing obligations are a fair deal. Others aren't so enthusiastic.

NJ Advocates Defend State's Affordable Housing Rules Amid Lawsuit

Several towns in New Jersey are challenging the state's new affordable housing law. Here's why they're wrong, advocates argue.

Essex County Homeowners Pay Highest Property Taxes In New Jersey

Which towns in Essex County are the hardest-hit when it comes to property taxes? It depends how you look at it, the latest data shows.

Essex-Hudson Greenway Update: Mass Transit, Timeline, Maps, Video

An old railway line will be transformed into a massive hike/bike path. Here are the latest details – including a plan for a bus lane.

Homelessness Is Surging In Essex County, Latest Data Shows

Homelessness got significantly worse across New Jersey last year, a report says. Here's a town-by-town breakdown in Essex County.

Hiking Tax For NJ ‘Mega-Mansion’ Sales Could Raise Serious Cash: Study

It's time to ask the wealthiest households in New Jersey to chip in a little bit more when they sell a "super luxury home," an expert argues

Fair Appraisals: New Jersey Passes Housing Discrimination Law

A Black homeowner saw her property value rise $40,000 when she removed her family photos and didn't attend the appraisal, advocates say.

Housing Proposed Near Forest In West Orange, Verona, Essex Fells

A decades-old push to build hundreds of homes near a large patch of forest in Essex County is back. Here are the details.

Controversial Power Plant In Newark Can Move Ahead, Official Says

The Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission says it needs to build a new power plant in Newark. Critics have been fighting the plan for years.

Target Date Set For Target Store In Essex County Town: New Updates

The new Target will be located at the former site of a Kmart. Here are some fresh details about the project.

Essex County Mall Is ‘Falling Apart,’ Shoppers Say; Condemnation Looms

"The place looks like the movies where the atomic bomb drops and all of civilization is in ruins," a recent visitor remarked.

Tale Of 2 Malls: Frustration In Livingston, New Stores In Short Hills

Shoppers are getting a very different experience at the malls in Livingston and Short Hills these days.

Plan To Build Movie Studio In North Jersey Takes Big Leap Forward

The clock is now ticking on the next steps, which include finding a movie studio partner.

Thousands Of NJ Tenants Face ‘Unjustified Evictions’ Every Year: Study

Many evictions in New Jersey are being done with deficiencies that should be red flagged – but very few tenants have a lawyer, a study says.

Montclair Chooses Developer For Lackawanna Plaza, Project Advances

The wheels are spinning on one of Montclair's highest-profile real estate projects in decades – which still faces multiple legal challenges.

Plan To Build Popeyes, Sonic In West Orange May Be Dead In Water

Advocates: "We believe our township should foster more small business, not drive-thrus that make this busy intersection even more unsafe."

Bloomfield Begins Demolition At Old Public Works Building

The building has been abandoned since the late 1990s due to the presence of asbestos. Here's when the work will be finished.

Caldwell Shares Plans For New Borough Hall, Public Library

Caldwell officials recently shared plans for the new borough hall and public library at 80 Bloomfield Avenue.

$100M Housing Community In Irvington Breaks Ground: Sankofa Enclave

The project will "revitalize" the neighborhood with homeownership, affordable housing, retail and a new community center, developers say.

New Plan For Beloved Essex County Movie Theater Gets A Green Light

Plans for the Bellevue Theater now include creating new retail storefronts and adding three apartments.

Plan For Ex-Funeral Home Property In Belleville Includes Housing

A redevelopment plan was approved for a patch of properties in Belleville, which includes a former filming location for "The Sopranos."

13 Renters Compete For Every Apartment In North Jersey: Study

Looking for an apartment? It won't be easy in places like Newark, Jersey City, Montclair, Hoboken, Passaic and Maplewood, a study says.

Verona Will Get $1M To Turn Vacant Property Into Public Parking Lot

A dozen real estate projects in New Jersey got a financial shot in the arm through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

Nutley Housing Market Is Booming – Despite Rising Property Taxes

Growing tax bills aren't slowing down a skyrocketing demand for the limited homes on the market in Nutley, these local realtors say.