East Orange Mayor Ted R. Green and the East Orange City Council, along with developers J.G. Petrucci Company Inc. and TD+Partners, announced they are breaking ground on a new redevelopment project in the city.
The Sussex Avenue Urban Renewal project, according to the developers, will transform an underserved neighborhood at an 8.3 acre brownfield site located at 11 Sussex Ave.
The project will feature:
- A new 30,000-square-foot location for ABC Supply Co. Inc.;
- H2Grow, a 2,500-square-foot hydroponic urban farm and education center;
- workforce housing; and
- a 30,000-square-foot commercial hub.
The project will also provide over 200 construction jobs. Once completed, it will also provide several permanent jobs for East Orange residents.
“This project is very personal to me because it represents a major turning point for a neglected part of our city that I once called home. Arcadian Gardens is where I was raised. It was more than a community – we were like family,” Green said. “Now, we are excited to bring this innovative project that will provide permanent jobs for people in East Orange and make Sussex Avenue a home again for over 80 families.”
Greg Rogerson, principal of J.G. Petrucci, said these types of partnerships are the key to revitalization urban centers.
“This is our second collaboration with ABC Supply Company, and we are excited to facilitate their expansion in the New Jersey market, and in particular, urban communities. ABC Supply Company shares TD+Partners’ and our commitment to transformative urban redevelopment, and we believe that this project represents a model for disadvantaged neighborhoods in cities,” Rogerson said.
The project will help advance the needs of the East Orange community.
The urban farm will produce 4,000 pounds of food a year, which will directly address food insecurity affecting about 20 percent of the residents in East Orange, and ABC Supply Company’s distribution center will allow for an increase of economic activity in the city.
“We are proud to partner with the City of East Orange and to support Mayor Green’s efforts to revitalize areas in need. Our goal is to build projects that transform economically disadvantaged neighborhoods by creating meaningful employment opportunities, providing high-quality housing, and delivering needed services. This project exemplifies our vision for innovative urban redevelopment that empowers and creates value for residents of underserved communities,” said Patrick Terborg, co-developer and co-founder of TD+Partners.
