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Judge upholds approval for 171-unit development in Paterson

Lawsuit from residents, councilperson targeted $50M project in the spring

Demolition is almost done at the former Passaic County government administration building in Paterson, New Jersey. The challenge to a 171-unit development on the site is essentially done, too.

A judge upheld approval of developer Abdul Hamden’s project in the city, the Paterson Press reported. The project was previously greenlit by the city’s zoning board, a move that drew criticism and a lawsuit from some residents and a councilperson in the spring.

Councilperson Michael Jackson and four residents filed the suit against Paterson’s Board of Adjustment, alleging the five-story development exceeded limits on height, surface footprint and number of units. They also claimed housing wasn’t permitted in a mixed-use development zone.

The board only had one dissenter when it approved the project last year. The judge who weighed in ruled in the board’s favor, claiming the developer’s expert witnesses provided sufficient testimony to support the project.

Hamden said the development team followed all proper protocols when approached by the outlet about the ruling.

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Jackson plans on appealing the ruling and expressed disappointment, but not surprise at the judge’s ruling, referring to previous decisions made at “that courtroom” to the Paterson Press. The project has the support of Mayor Andre Sayegh, who has referred to it as part of the city’s “growth mode.”

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Hamden purchased the property at 305-319 Pennsylvania Avenue from the county government at auction in 2020 for $5.5 million. The property formerly housed the Passaic County administrative building.

By April, Hamden already completed asbestos removal and took the roof off the building; demolition of the old property is virtually complete at this point. Construction of the multifamily project is expected to cost between $50 million and $55 million and take 18 months to build.

In addition to the residential units, the development is also expected to include 7,800 square feet of retail space and 310 parking spaces.

— Holden Walter-Warner

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Real Estate Lawsuits