TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—The town council took another step toward acquiring 450 Pascack Road, approving the county grant agreement that will reimburse nearly 75% of the property’s $750,000 purchase price.
Following a brief presentation by its grant consultant, the council unanimously approved a resolution to allow the mayor to authorize a $550,000 Bergen County Open Space grant for the purchase of the 3.2-acre parcel.
The township previously bid $430,000 on the property in late 2021, threatening eminent domain, and had been eyeing the property for more than a decade, due to its location between Ridgewood Boulevard East homes to the south and the Memorial Field and Washington Elementary School on its north side.
The council previously approved an $825,000 bond ordinance to acquire the tract on Dec. 4, including its $750,000 purchase price, and $75,000 for soft costs such as “due diligence” studies (environmental, topographic), plus engineering, legal, and demolition costs. The property includes a run-down home fronting Pascack Road, with a deteriorating garage and barn nearby.
With its front porch collapsing and often strewn with tarps, the property was cited for nuisance violations last year by the town’s code enforcement officer.
Grants consultant David Biunno, of GLD Associates of Summit, said the land acquisition grant was a reimbursement grant whereby the township would pay purchase expenses upfront and get reimbursed for them later. He said either the mayor or administrator could sign reimbursement vouchers under the grant agreement.
In addition, Biunno said the county notified him this past Friday that a $60,111 grant was approved for the “phase I construction of the swim club” and a similar resolution on that grant would be on the Feb. 5 council agenda.
Answering questions from councilman Michael Ullman, Biunno said most county grants are reimbursable grants where the town pays out of pocket, and then submits an invoice for reimbursement. Township attorney Kenneth Poller said the acquisition of 450 Pascack was in the contract phase, which includes due diligence on the site.
Biunno said receipt of the county grant funds was contingent on the township acquiring the property.
A little over three years ago, property owner Robert Morris teamed up with a developer who proposed a 48-unit senior living complex on the site, which was withdrawn after strong neighborhood and public opposition.
Since then, the property’s Pascack Road frontage has sported an Available sign.
Although real estate brokers had listed the site at $2.1 million, no sale had occurred. However, dozens of residents have pleaded with council members to acquire the property over many years, including more intensely over the last three while the property has been up for sale.
Mayor Peter Calamari had advocated for acquiring the property, at one point alleging it was being eyed for development, provoking stern words from then-council president Desserie Morgan.