Woodbridge Development

Mayor John E. McCormac and Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency Welcome The Grande at Metropark

[WOODBRIDGE, N.J.]  Mayor John E. McCormac and the Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency today welcomed The Grande at Metro Park Development Group to announce the Final Phase of development of The Grande at Metropark with a “Hard Hat – Ribbon-Cutting” ceremony representing the mid-point of construction of Building 4 – the final phase of development of the 356-unit luxury residential apartment collection located in the Iselin section of Woodbridge Township.

“We are pleased to welcome The Grande at Metropark as an outstanding member of Woodbridge Township’s luxury apartment community, said Mayor McCormac.  “The Grande at Metropark represents one of the first residential development projects to locate in Woodbridge Township in decades when they broke ground on August 18, 2017.  It is important to note that The Grande at Metropark Development Group reviewed many location options to site their central New Jersey residential community and finally located at the former Robson site in Woodbridge Township.”

Joining Mayor McCormac to announce the final phase of construction were Charles Avery, CEO, The Grande at Metropark, Irwin Nudelman, Director of Construction, The Grande at Metropark, Kurt Vierheilig, Director of Design, DMR Architects, Caroline Ehrlich, Executive Director, Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency, Marta Lefsky, Director, Woodbridge Department of Planning & Development, Heather Lamotta, Deputy Director, Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency and Sharon McAuliffe, Woodbridge Municipal Councilwoman (Ward 1).  

According to Charles Avery, The Grande at Metropark is a Four Building, 356-Unit luxury residential apartment collection located in close proximity to the Metro Park Amtrak/NJT Train Station. Each building includes distinct architectural styles and modern lifestyle amenities that include:  covered parking deck; Amazon® package lockers and rentable storage units; an interior rooftop courtyard with outdoor movie theater; the HUB two-story clubhouse; private fitness center; music room; game area and children’s play area; pet wash stations; bike room; coffee lounge; conference and meeting rooms and business center. Other onsite amenities include a grill, patio and pergola area, pet parks, community surveillance system, tot lot, electric car charging station and extensive park-like landscaping.  The project includes more than 12,000 sq. feet of retail space that offers tenants and shoppers upscale markets, salons and services.

Mayor John E. McCormac, Ingerman & BCM Affordable Housing, Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency and Woodbridge Housing Authority Announce Grand Opening & Ribbon-Cutting of Jacob’s Landing Residential Community

Woodbridge, NJ – Mayor John E. McCormac today announced the Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting of Jacob’s Landing – an affordable residential rental community on the site of the former Woodbridge Gardens public housing complex.  

Joining Mayor McCormac to announce the opening of Buildings 1 & 2 - Phase 1 were Katie Brennan, Chief of Staff, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, Bruce Morgan, President, BCM Affordable Housing, Caroline Ehrlich, Executive Director, Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency, Donna Brightman, Executive Director, Woodbridge Housing Authority, Marta Lefsky, Director, Woodbridge Department of Planning & Development, and members of the Woodbridge Affordable Housing Corporation, Woodbridge Housing Authority and Municipal Council.

According to Mayor McCormac, Jacob’s Landing – Phase 1, a $23 million investment in affordable housing, will be comprised of 84 units - 18 one-bedroom, 42 two-bedroom, 21 three-bedroom, and 3 four-bedroom apartments in seven three-story buildings. The community will offer residents ample parking, community space, and community social services including mental health counseling, substance abuse programs and a host of medical and legal advocacy services.  All of the apartments will feature spacious layouts, oversized windows, HVAC systems, tile in the kitchen and foyer, ceramic tile baths, vinyl floors in the living rooms and wall-to-wall carpeting throughout the remainder. Kitchens will feature a full appliance package including a dishwasher and a garbage disposal. There will be both fully accessible and adaptable units, as well as fully-furnished supportive housing units in the community.  

Financing for the project is provided through a combination of equity from the syndication of the Low Income Housing Tax Credits from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, transferred reserves from the Woodbridge Housing Authority, an Affordable Housing Trust Fund contribution from the Woodbridge Affordable Housing Corporation and a permanent mortgage from the NJHMFA.

“Today’s announcement represents yet another milestone toward achieving our goal of ensuring that Woodbridge Township residents have access to quality residential options that allow them to affordably continue to live in the Woodbridge community,” Mayor John E. McCormac said.  “The occupancy of Buildings 1 & 2 at Jacob’s Landing has transformed the 64 year-old Woodbridge Garden Apartments on Bunns Lane into a vibrant new community which will ultimately include 204 units of affordable residential housing when completed.  It is important to note that no taxpayer funds have been used to construct Jacob’s Landing – the entire project is funded through federal and state grants, housing development programs and private investment.”

“I first met Mayor McCormac roughly 15 years ago when he was the Woodbridge Township Business Administrator.  At that time, he told me that his number one priority for redevelopment in Woodbridge was to redevelop the Bunns Lane public housing complex.  Well, it has taken longer than I would have preferred to get to this day, but no one can say that we gave up on our goal,” said Bruce Morgan, President, BCM Affordable Housing. “Today is the start of great things to come for the residents of Jacobs Landing and I could not be happier to finally see this project come to fruition.”