44-acre Parcel to Include Open Space, Warehousing, and Remediated Parcels for Downtown Redevelopment
September 19, 2023
PERTH AMBOY – The Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency (PARA) has signed an agreement with a developer to remediate and redevelop a 44-acre blighted assemblage of properties known as “Gateway.”
Under the deal with Viridian Partners of Denver, the redeveloper will invest more than $110 million to clean contaminated parcels of land between the Route 35 Victory Bridge, Smith Street and Riverside Drive. The project, once completed, is expected to generate more than 400 long-term jobs and $1 million in local tax revenue.
As part of the plan, more than nine acres of land abutting the Smith Street business corridor will be remediated and “pad ready” for the city at no cost. Perth Amboy officials will decide how best to redevelop the land.
In addition, the developer will remediate and improve an additional nine acres of land for Perth Amboy residents’ passive recreation, including natural areas surrounding Sonnaman’s Creek, with trails leading to a gazebo on a hill to be constructed overlooking the Raritan River.
About 25 acres will be used to construct a one-story, 471,000-square-foot, Class A, state-of-the-art warehouse. Trucks accessing the warehouse must use Riverview Drive via its intersection at Smith Street to minimize traffic in business and residential areas. In addition, berms, buffer landscaping, and other natural screens will be used to minimize the impacts of the warehouse development.
“We’re eager to take advantage of the commercial possibilities of this large swath of developable property and maximize its ideal proximity to Route 440 and other major highways,” said Perth Amboy Mayor Helmin J. Caba. “Working closely with PARA and the developer, we are moving forward with a three-pronged strategy. The developer is paying to remediate the land, create a public park, and turn nine acres of valuable land into buildable property as part of our overall downtown redevelopment initiatives.”
PARA selected Viridian Partners because of the firm’s experience in remediating contaminated complex properties in Middlesex County and converting large industrial sites into clean, tax-generating uses.
As part of its portfolio, the company launched the ePort 1 warehouse project along 102 acres of the Arthur Kill in Perth Amboy and redeveloped a 400-acre former munitions plant in Cranbury. The site now includes warehouses for Amazon and Wayfair; 150 of the 400 acres are maintained as clean conservation areas.
Michael Cahn, a principal with Viridian Partners, said about 75% of the company’s developments are concentrated from Burlington County to Union County, as the 20-year-old firm seeks environmentally distressed properties near the New Jersey Turnpike and other major highways. Its other large developments are based in Florida, California, and Pennsylvania.
“What excites us about the Gateway project is its phenomenal proximity to highways; it is a perfect fit for our model of remediating complex properties,” said Cahn, noting there is also a landfill on the site the firm will address. “We are eager to move forward with Mayor Caba and PARA, breathing new life into the entire neighborhood and directly addressing a blighted eyesore awaiting redevelopment for decades.”
The site formerly housed a roofing company that manufactured asbestos shingles, closing an estimated 23 years ago, Cahn said. Viridian Partners has been working with the city since 2014 to create the overall plan for the vast site; it requires the developer to assemble 28 parcels to comply with the redeveloper’s agreement.
PARA Executive Director Tashi Vazquez said the next step is for Viridian Partners to submit a site plan to the city’s Planning Board for review and secure approvals from Middlesex County and the state Department of Environmental Protection.
The redeveloper’s agreement calls for the developer to break ground no later than spring 2025. Cahn anticipates it will take one year to remediate the property, addressing all geotechnical issues, and a second year for vertical construction of the Class A warehouse and nine-acre open space area.
“The city has been discussing the possibilities at Gateway for years; now is the time for action,” Vazquez said. “We have terrific, visionary partners working with Mayor Caba and Viridian Partners. We all have the same aggressive objectives for this major parcel: To create a lasting redevelopment project that offers many direct benefits to Perth Amboy residents. Working together, we are making it happen.”
Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Lawrence Cattano of the Perth Amboy Police Department announced today that a juvenile male pled guilty to offenses which if committed by an adult would constitute Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.
On February 22, 2023, at approximately 2:37 PM, an 11-year-old male assaulted another 11-year-old male with a knife while they were on their way home from school. The victim sustained serious injuries.
The juvenile male was taken into custody and a preliminary hearing was held on February 23, 2023, where it was determined that the juvenile would remain detained. On April 19, 2023, the juvenile pled guilty before Honorable Judge Venezia to offenses which if committed by an adult would constitute 2nd degree aggravated assault and 3rd degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
On May 24, 2023, a Middlesex County Family Court Judge, imposed a disposition of three years’ probation and a condition of that probation was attendance and successful completion of a residential treatment program.
PERTH AMBOY, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced today that three campaign workers for a Perth Amboy City Council candidate have been indicted for Bribery, Witness Tampering and Election Law Violations.
On March 30, 2023, following the presentation of evidence by Assistant Prosecutor Russell Curley, the Middlesex County grand jury returned a seven- count indictment charging campaign workers Ana Camilo, 62, Annet Sanchez, 52, and Maria Peralta, 60, all of Perth Amboy, with various offenses stemming from their involvement in efforts to offer gift cards to voters in return for completed mail-in ballots that contained votes for their chosen candidate.
Camillo was indicted on two counts of third-degree Bribery, third- degree Unlawful Possession of a Ballot, third-degree Attempt to Cast an Illegal Ballot and third-degree Election Law Violation, for her role in meeting and attempting to bribe an undercover detective, who was posing as a Perth Amboy voter.
Sanchez and Peralta were indicted on one count of third-degree Retaliation Against a Witness for their roles in engaging in harassing conduct toward a witness who provided information concerning Camilo’s involvement in the voter fraud.
New Jersey election law prohibits the offering of any inducements for voting for a particular candidate. Please visit the Middlesex County Clerk’s website for any questions regarding mail-in ballots at www.middlesexcountynj.gov.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Camilo are merely accusations and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
A campaign worker for a City Council candidate, filled out the mail-in ballot for the undercover detective and, in exchange, gave the detective a $20 Shop Rite gift card.
October 26, 2022
PERTH AMBOY, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced today that a campaign worker for a Perth Amboy City Council candidate has been arrested and charged with bribery.
On the week of October 17th, detectives from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Perth Amboy Police Department received a tip that a campaign worker Ana Camilo, 62, of Perth Amboy, was canvassing a neighborhood in Perth Amboy and offering to complete mail-in ballots in exchange for gift cards.
In response, an undercover detective, posing as a Perth Amboy voter, met with Camilo. It was determined that Camilo, a campaign worker for a City Council candidate, filled out the mail-in ballot for the undercover detective and, in exchange, gave the detective a $20 Shop Rite gift card. Camilo was arrested immediately after the meeting and was found in possession of the mail-in ballot.
Camilo was charged with third-degree bribery in official or political matters. Camilo was charged on a summons and released the day of the arrest.
New Jersey election law prohibits the offering of any inducements for voting for a particular candidate. Please visit the Middlesex County Clerk’s website for any questions regarding mail-in ballots at www.middlesexcountynj.gov.
The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Shadi Zaiton of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-4263.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Camilo are merely accusations and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Nearly 300 donors have contributed $18,000 to honor the memory of the victim, 19-year-old Mohammad Abbas of Perth Amboy, who was tragically killed when he was fatally struck by a truck while riding his motorcycle to the mosque.
Ali-Ahmed Shah, Mohammed’s friend, wrote in the GoFundMe, “Mohammad was a loving son, brother, cousin, and friend to everyone who was lucky enough to know him. He graduated a few months ago from John F. Kennedy High School in Iselin, NJ. The positive energy and vibe he brought to the classroom with his magnetic personality is something his classmates will forever cherish.”
In the early evening of Sunday, August 14, 2022, 19-year-old Mohammad Abbas was on his way to the mosque on his motorcycle, until he was involved in an accident and lost his life.
Mohammad was a loving son, brother, cousin, and friend to everyone who was lucky enough to know him. He graduated a few months ago from John F. Kennedy High School in Iselin, NJ. The positive energy and vibe he brought to the classroom with his magnetic personality is something his classmates will forever cherish.
Mohammad was also an active member of his Muslim community. He would always assist with setting up and cleaning up at his local center. His presence at the center never went unnoticed, whether with his radiant smile during a happy occasion or being at the forefront of the Azadaari during sad ones. His final act was going from one majlis to another, genuinely exemplifying the dedication and love he had for serving the Ahlul Bayt (a.s).
A few friends from John F. Kennedy High School and the Astaana Youth Group have come together to start this initiative of setting up a fund in his name. The funds raised will be sent to a charity of the family’s choice.
We ask you to keep Mohammad and his loving family in your prayers. Any monetary donation you can make would be greatly appreciated. We are grateful for all the love and support.
PERTH AMBOY (Middlesex County) – Two firefighters were injured battling a stubborn two-alarm blaze that destroyed one home and damaged another on Saturday (May 7).
The following details were released by the Perth Amboy Fire Department on their Facebook page:
On 5/07/22 at 1255 hours, the PAFD was dispatched to 189 William Street for a reported fire. Upon arrival, heavy smoke was found coming from all floors of the 2.5 story residential two-family dwelling and a second alarm was transmitted. Crews found heavy fire in the basement which had extended up to the attic via the balloon frame bays. Multiple hoselines were stretched to attack the fire while searches were completed and all occupants were accounted for. Due to the heavy fire conditions, all crews were withdrawn and operations went defensive. Truck 2’s platform operated on the fire building as the B Exposure was protected. Once the fire was knocked down, crews re-entered to overhaul and put out all remaining hot spots. There were no civilian injuries and there were two non-life threatening firefighter injuries. Both were taken to area hospitals for treatment. Six occupants were displaced by the fire, which is under investigation by the PAFD Fire Investigation Unit. The fire building was a total loss and there was minor damage to 187 William St. City units on scene were E-1, E-2, E-3, T-2, T-3, R-1, C-1, C-2, C-4, C-5, C-9 & C-11. Mutual aid units that assisted on scene were Hopelawn R-8, Sayreville E-3 and Woodbridge Truck 1-2-6. Keasbey Truck 4-2-4 and South Amboy E-9 covered the city during the incident.
In conclusion, while it is true that a police response is not warranted to address the everyday misconduct perpetrated by juveniles and other societal issues, a response to the conduct engaged in by the youth in this case was necessary and should have taken place. Accordingly, the actions of the Perth Amboy Police Department were justified under the circumstances presented. The officers would have been in dereliction of their duties if they had acted otherwise.
October 29, 2021
PERTH AMBOY, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–As part of any county prosecutor’s supervisory authority over all law enforcement activity in the county, he or she from time to time is called on to review the actions of local law enforcement officials and the exercise of their duties. In this case, the Governor and the Office of the Attorney General requested that Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone review the conduct of the Perth Amboy Police Department as it related to the arrest of one youth and the seizure of bicycles resulting from community complaints that the juveniles were riding bicycles in an unsafe manner within the City of Perth Amboy on April 17, 2021.
In response, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office thoroughly reviewed all information relating to this incident, including video footage, community complaints, police reports and officer interviews. The Prosecutor concludes the members of the Perth Amboy Police Department acted within their lawful authority by stopping the youths on bicycles because they were engaging in dangerous conduct that created a risk of injury to motorists, pedestrians, and the youths themselves. The community caretaking role of the police extends to protecting the welfare of children in the community. Indeed, that responsibility is a reflection of the State’s general parens patriae duty to safeguard children from harm. In this case, members of the Perth Amboy law enforcement community were duty-bound to act immediately to prevent harm to the youths involved as well as members of the community. There is no indication or suggestion that the incident was racially motivated or that State law or local ordinances were selectively enforced in a discriminatory fashion. Moreover, there is no indication or suggestion the police used excessive force in addressing the situation. The officers’ actions were, at all times, within their lawful authority, comported with the enforcement of local ordinances, and in compliance with established police procedures.
Moreover, the investigation did not reveal any evidence that any of the youths involved were unaware of the local ordinance at issue. In fact, the videos reviewed depicted a recurring pattern of reckless behavior on bicycles Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office 25 Kirkpatrick Street, 3rd Floor, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901 (732) 745-3300 News Release Date: October 29, 2021 and evasive interaction with law enforcement attempting to enforce the law. Furthermore, the law enforcement officers involved used great restraint by not issuing summonses for violations of state law and/or any local ordinance on the day in question.
Since June 2020, members of the Perth Amboy Police Department had been dispatched to thirty-three calls for service directed at groups of juveniles riding their bicycles in an unsafe manner on the city streets. The first of these calls came in on June 6, 2020, and the most recent call was on April 20, 2021. On fourteen occasions when officers responded, the group of riders could not be located and were gone upon arrival. In another thirteen incidents, the officers located a group of bicyclists and appropriately warned them. The other six incidents resulted in escalated police action in response to the bicyclists’ conduct.
On April 17, 2021, yet another call was received at approximately 2:25 P.M. Upon responding to the call, a police officer employed by the City of Perth Amboy took a juvenile into custody for a petty disorderly persons offense after being warned by officers to discontinue the unsafe operation of their bicycles and disregarded those previous warnings. The officers had been dispatched to the area after a woman called to report “a whole gang of boys riding bicycles by the hospital and they’re taking up the whole street.” She continued to state “there must be fifty of them and they’re riding bicycles in the middle of the street and they’re backing up all of New Brunswick Ave., a business thoroughfare. They’re not letting cars pass.” Pursuant to the interviews conducted, it was determined the officers had previously dealt with the same group of juveniles earlier in the day. Previously, officers ultimately came upon the group of about thirty youths on their bicycles in the area of Pulaski and State Streets. Those officers warned the group about their unsafe conduct and that they were blocking both lanes of traffic on State Street, from outer State Street all the way to Hall Avenue. Officers were able to make contact with the same group of riders, right before the entrance to Harbortown Complex and they were advised that they needed to stop blocking traffic and ride safely on the street.
Prior to the arrest of the juvenile on April 17, 2021, there were four calls for service, regarding groups of juveniles riding bicycles in the middle of the street swerving in and out of traffic and creating a hazardous condition. The police department responded to these calls for service and contacted the bicyclists who were warned of the dangers associated with riding their bicycles in such a hazardous and risky manner. They were also warned of the consequences of continuing to operate their bicycles in a similar fashion. The warnings were issued by law enforcement officers in order to prevent anyone from getting hurt or an automobile accident from occurring. The juveniles disregarded the warnings, their reckless behavior continued, and their conduct did not ease.
The police response on the day in question was the culmination of an effort by members of law enforcement to deescalate the situation and issue verbal warnings to the youth involved. Those efforts were unsuccessful, and, without viable alternatives, a decision was made to enforce the city ordinance to ensure the safety of the juvenile bicyclists and the citizens of the City of Perth Amboy.
On April 21, 2021, subsequent to the arrest of the single juvenile and the seizing of several bicycles, a parent of one of the bicyclists came to Perth Amboy Police Headquarters to speak with the supervising sergeant. That parent arrived along with their child who was part of the group of bicyclists, to extend their apologies and express their gratitude to the Sergeant involved. The juvenile expressed to law enforcement that he and his friends were wrong and that the Sergeant was doing her job.
On May 5, 2021, the parent of the juvenile who was taken into custody was interviewed. The juvenile’s parent was happy that the situation did not escalate and indicated that the police took the bicycles as a result of her child’s actions. That same parent indicated that she has instructed her son to learn from the situation. Moreover, it should be noted the complaint signed against her child was diverted from the system and was the subject of a Station House Adjustment (SHA), a diversion program which results in the complaint being dismissed upon successful completion.
During the investigation, it was determined the members of the Perth Amboy Police Department are aware of and endeavor to comply with the provisions of the Attorney General’s Juvenile Justice Reform Directive No. 2020-12. It was further determined the Perth Amboy Police Department attempts to handle every juvenile matter in a professional and thoughtful fashion.
To support these assertions, the Perth Amboy Police Department touts its record of diverting ninety-five juveniles from the Family Court system in 2019 and entering them into the City’s Station House Adjustment Program. Of the ninety-five participants, fifty participated in their enhanced SHA Program which mandates attendance at counseling sessions. Furthermore, of the ninety-five participants, eighty-two were Hispanic, twelve were African American and one was Caucasian. In 2020, due to the pandemic, the police department was only able to divert twenty-one juveniles, seventeen were Hispanic and four were African American. Of the twenty-one participants, eighteen attended their enhanced SHA Program. Currently, in 2021, the Perth Amboy Police Department diverted eleven juveniles, ten were Hispanic and one was Asian/Pacific Islander.
Prior to concluding, Prosecutor Ciccone wanted to commend Acting Chief Lawrence Cattano as well as the women and men of his department for sponsoring a “Family Bike Day by the Bay,” on October 16, 2021. The event was well attended and addressed bike safety issues with the City’s youth. In conclusion, while it is true that a police response is not warranted to address the everyday misconduct perpetrated by juveniles and other societal issues, a response to the conduct engaged in by the youth in this case was necessary and should have taken place. Accordingly, the actions of the Perth Amboy Police Department were justified under the circumstances presented. The officers would have been in dereliction of their duties if they had acted otherwise.
Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Acting Chief Larry Cattano of the Perth Amboy Police Department announced today a man has been charged with setting fire to a mixed-use building, which housed several residences and a local bar.
On September 6, 2021, Rey Zarzuela-Severino, 36, of Ocean Grove was charged and arrested for second-degree aggravated arson, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree possession of a destructive device, and fourth-degree causing risk of widespread injury or damage.
On September 6, 2021, at approximately 2:59 A.M., officers of the Perth Amboy Police Department along with local firefighters were dispatched to the Casanova Lounge, located at 983 State Street, following the report of a structure fire. As a result, multiple residents who were later transported from the scene to a nearby hospital where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
An investigation conducted by Officer Jorge Irizarry II of the Perth Amboy Police Department and Detective Jose Rosario of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office as well as local and county fire officials determined Zarzuela-Severino broke a bar window and set a fire within the structure. The investigation also determined smoke from the fire entered into multiple, occupied residences located above the bar.
Zarzuela-Severino is presently lodged at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center where he is detained pending a pre-trial detention hearing in Superior Court.
The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Irizarry of the Perth Amboy Police Department at (732) 324-3800 or Detective Rosario of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-4045.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Zarzuela-Severino are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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