City Council introduced two ordinances on Monday night to acquire the parcels, which total about 0.7 acres.

The first ordinance (O-7-23) finances $2.6 million for the acquisition, including a 5 percent down payment of $130,000, and $520,000 for expenses, such as architect’s fees, accounting, engineering and inspection and legal. A second ordinance (O-8-23) authorizes City Council to acquire the property “by negotiated agreement or exercise of the power of eminent domain through condemnation.”

A public hearing and final approval on the two ordinances is scheduled for the governing body’s March 13 regular meeting. There were no questions or comments from the public or the eight council members present at Monday night’s meeting.

The parcels are being acquired for “recreation and public purposes,” William George, the city’s public relations coordinator, said in an email response today to questions seeking details about the acquisition. The $2.6 million allocated includes the “real estate transaction expenses, engineering and design work, site improvements, and Phase I of building renovations, and all work, materials and appurtenances necessary,” he said.

UPDATED, Feb. 16: “We are unable to provide further information until purchase negotiations have been completed,” George added in response to a follow-up request for more specifics on “recreation and public purposes.”

An Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request for the appraisal of the property and appraisal contract yielded the contract (AR-35-23) but the appraisal was denied based three exemptions within N.J.S.A.. 47:1A-1.1:

• Exemption #1, inter-agency or intra-agency advisory, consultative or deliberative material;
• Exemption #9, any record within the attorney-client privilege; and,
• Exemption #13, information which, if disclosed, would give an advantage to competitors or bidders.

Combined, the two lots at 2223 St. Georges Ave. (Block 255, Lots 31 and 32)  generated property taxes of almost $20,000 in 2022: $3,433.76 for Lot 31 and $16,010.16 for Lot 32.

The former Bachmann’s Tavern was razed in 2008 with construction of a new building following the next year. The new structure, however, sat fallow for years.  In 2011, the Zoning Board of Adjustment approved modifications to an application that was granted approval in 2007 for a new building with three apartments on the upper floors.