CAPUTO, TUCKER, WILSON BILL TO HELP TOWNS DEMOLISH AND REBUILD LONG-STANDING EYESORES & SAFETY HAZARDS BEOMES LAW

(TRENTON)- Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Ralph Caputo, Cleopatra Tucker and Gilbert “ Whip” Wilson providing funding to help municipalities demolish and dispose of unsafe buildings in urban and rural centers has been signed into law.

“This voter-approved funding will help eliminate eyesores and public safety hazards in distressed areas throughout our state,” said Caputo (D-Essex). “Towns will now be able to reclaim abandoned and idle properties and put them into productive use once again, boosting their revenue in the process.”

The bill (A-4340) appropriates $7,403,340 under the third round of funding provided through the $20 million “Urban and Rural Centers Unsafe Buildings Demolition Bond Act” approved by voters in 1997.

“This funding is much needed for many cash-strapped towns struggling to rebuild their ratable base,” said Tucker (D-Essex). “Not only will it help clean up ailing neighborhoods, but it will also help revive a town’s tax base.”

Under the terms of the bond act, the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs established criteria for the approval of projects eligible for the loans. A priority list was prepared based on needs set forth in the requests received from the affected municipalities, agencies, and authorities.

The commissioner gave priority to those projects that involve the demolition and disposal of an unsafe building as a prerequisite to the approved erection of a new building or that pose an imminent and extreme hazard to the health and safety of the community.

“During these tough fiscal times, this should be welcome news for many municipalities,” said Wilson (D-Camden/Gloucester). “For those properties that have sat dormant for years, draining a city’s moral and revenue base, this funding will certainly be a boost.”

Under the new law, the following municipalities will receive the corresponding funding allotments:

• Township of Belleville: $600,000
• City of Camden: $2,000,000
• City of Clifton: $210,000
• City of Hackensack:$20,000
• Township of Irvington: $923,240
• City of Millville: $60,000
• City of Orange: $325,000
• City of Pleasantville: $174,000
• City of Rahway: $218,000
• City of Trenton: $2,773,100
• City of Vineland: $100,000