More changes were agreed to with the developer of Meridia Brownstones, with another major amendment expected in the new year.

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The Redevelopment Agency unanimously approved a resolution (Res. 33-22) during its Dec. 14 regular meeting authorizing a fourth amendment to the redevelopment agreement for Meridia Brownstones, a 487-unit apartment development being built in phases along Elizabeth Avenue, between West Grand and West Scott avenues.

The resolution includes an amended redevelopment project schedule, the only change appearing to be striking requirement to “obtain construction permits” by Feb. 1, 2021, and schematic of the “Phasing schedule for Phase 1” that includes details on a courtyard staging area Phase 1c and parking changes.

Parking was inadequate in Phase 1 of the project, Executive Director Robert Landolfi said. As a result, Linden-based Capodagli Property Company resubmitted new plans for Phase 2, with an indication that they will come before the Redevelopment Agency in the first quarter of 2023. Landolfi told commissioners to expect a major amendment presented in the next 90 days from Capodagli.

Capodagli agreed to construct temporary parking on the Phase 1 site and some type of parking structure which would provide parking for both Phase 1 and 2 when they submit approvals for Phase 2.

In the second amendment, Landolfi said the city requested about six units be designated as affordable housing and the developer came back asking for an option to build some or all of those in Phase 1. This fourth amendment would permit those be built in Phase 1 or Phase 2, he said.

Capodagli and the Redevelopment Agency agreed to terms on several amendments to the redevelopment agreement, two in 2014 and in 2020, which ultimately are approved by City Council. In October 2021, the governing body instituted permit parking along nearby Price Street, Jackson Avenue and parts of Linden Avenue in response to an influx of parking from The Brownstones.

The 2020 amendment set a new timeline for construction of the project, establishing construction milestones for the developer and penalties for failing to reach those milestones. The amended redevelopment project scheduled set a milestone of Dec. 31, 2022 for completion of construction on Phase 2.

The concept for The Brownstones first was presented to the Redevelopment Agency in 2012 by Capodagli Property Company and approved by the Planning Board in 2014. Some 487 rental units would be built in phases on the former Wheatena and Quinn & Boden properties along Elizabeth Avenue, between West Grand and West Scott avenues.

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