EMERSON—Construction on the Block 419 Emerson Station project continues despite ongoing legal disputes. According to borough officials on Sept. 20, the final concrete pour for the parking garage will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 8 a.m. Temporary road closures and detours around Linwood Avenue and Lincoln Boulevard are expected while construction vehicles enter and exit the site. Police will be on hand to direct traffic, and residents are encouraged to allow extra time when traveling between the east and west sides of town.
The parking garage is a critical component of the long-delayed redevelopment project, which includes 147 residential units and 15,000 square feet of retail space near Emerson’s train station. However, the project, spearheaded by partners Accurate Builders LLC and JMF Properties under the banner of Emerson Redevelopers Urban Renewal (ERUR), has faced significant setbacks since its approval in late 2018.
In addition to construction delays, the project is mired in lawsuits and financial difficulties. Accurate Builders, one of the key partners in the redevelopment, is facing foreclosure on an $8 million mortgage for a property in Kenilworth due to missed payments and failure to maintain required reserves. This financial strain has led to concerns that the issues in Kenilworth could impact the Block 419 project.
In a separate legal battle, the Borough of Emerson is suing ERUR for $500,000 in unpaid construction services, related to the transfer of the former ambulance property deed to the developers in 2019. Additionally, a subcontractor involved in the project has filed a $1.4 million claim for unpaid work.
Despite these ongoing disputes, work continues on portions of the redevelopment. As of mid-June, Crown Bank of Elizabeth filed a foreclosure action against Accurate Builders and Kenilworth Redevelopers Urban Renewal. The lawsuits surrounding the project are still awaiting trial dates in Superior Court.
See also: “Emerson Station partner in default on $8 million mortgage. Is Block 419 project stalled on cash flow, lawsuits?” by Michael Olohan, Aug. 24, 2024.