SOMERS POINT — City Council voted unanimously July 11 to adopt on ordinance creating a redevelopment agreement with AVIA NJ Mays Landing to allow for the conversion of the Sonesta ES Suites, a 120-room extended-stay hotel, into 120 long-term rental apartments with an affordable component.
On June 13, council authorized an executive session seeking advice of counsel and discussing attorney-client privileged communication regarding the potential plan. Council also requested the Planning Board review the proposed agreement and weigh in on its consistency with the city’s master plan and extended the negotiating period.
Council agreed May 25, 2023, to a memorandum of understanding with AVIA NJ Mays Landing LLC, the Delaware-based owner of the property.
The agreement designates AVIA as interim conditional redeveloper of the property, located at 900 Somers Point-Mays Landing Road.
According to a resolution approving the agreement, representatives of AVIA made a presentation April 25, 2022, during a meeting with the COAH/redevelopment subcommittee concerning the proposed project and sought to start the process of negotiating with the city the terms and conditions of a redevelopment plan and a redevelopment agreement.
In 2014, City Council deemed the entire city in need of rehabilitation, giving the city the opportunity to provide tax exemptions, abatements or both to encourage redevelopment in areas threatened with economic and social decline.
A redevelopment agreement allows the city to work with builders, property owners and developers to find the best use for real estate in a way that is mutually beneficial. It allows the city to have input into what will be developed and provides the developer an opportunity to seek tax incentives.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff