Short Hills-based Roseland Properties, developers of Port Imperial on the Hudson River, marked their donation of $516,000 to the West New York Affordable Housing Trust Fund at a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week.
A redevelopment agreement between the administration and Roseland Properties had mandated that the developers contribute $1,500 to the fund for each luxury unit they build on the city’s waterfront. The money will go to affordable housing projects in West New York.
The ceremony’s purpose was two-fold: for Roseland Properties to present a check to West New York Mayor and New Jersey State Assembly speaker Albio Sires and the rest of the West New York commissioners, and to dedicate the opening of the Clubhouse at the Riverside West Community complex.
Many dignitaries were on hand including representatives from Roseland Properties.
Carl Goldberg, principal partner with Roseland Properties, said before the event, “We’ve done things like this previously with West New York. Early on, Mayor Sires felt that it was crucial that whenever a new development was built along the waterfront, there should be a contribution to the historic section of the city.”
Said Goldberg, “This new development has 344 units. Multiply that by $1,500 per unit and you come out with the figure we are presenting today.”
The fund has gone to affordable housing projects in West New York, including the most recent, the Chris Jackman Towers on 60th Street, which is affordable housing for families and senior citizens.
Roseland has donated a monument to the victims of the 9-11-01 attacks on the World Trade Center at Donnelly Park.
Said Goldberg, “This is just a continuation of that process. I think that the mayor’s vision was that ultimately these developments integrate Roseland into the community.”
Mayor Sires was emphatic in his appreciation for this latest contribution from Roseland.
Said the mayor, “This is such a special occasion. From the outset, there was nothing on this waterfront. I remember riding around down here with the commissioners and there was nothing here. We agreed that any development that happened here had to benefit the people” The mayor continued, “And not only does West New York get money for affordable housing, but we’ve also received money to build a firehouse and the fountain at 60th Street dedicated to the 9-11 victims.”
Sires added, “If you look to your left [out the windows towards the river], you will see we have the first completed riverfront walkway in Hudson County. You can walk all the way from West New York to Weehawken. We are very lucky to have a developer with a conscience. We already have multiple affordable housing sites, many that are being occupied right now and are almost full, thanks to Roseland Properties.”