WEST ORANGE, NJ — A high-profile plan to bring a movie studio to West Orange took a leap forward this week with the approval of a key purchase agreement and amendment.
On Tuesday evening, the West Orange Township Council voted to approve Matrix Development Group’s purchase of a 12-acre tract of land that will be home to a proposed film studio, along with a corridor connecting the film studio to the downtown area.
“West Orange Township is standing at a transformative threshold with this $10 million dollar investment in our downtown,” Mayor Susan McCartney said.
Find out what's happening in West Orangewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“This agreement offers financial stability by bringing down our debt, generating taxpaying revenue, and works toward the necessary, needed remediation of the site,” McCartney said.
“I believe this agreement will create a positive impact for our business owners and residents, and the economic vitality it will produce to effectively market ourselves as a premier film and TV production destination that will resonate for the township for years to come,” she added.
Find out what's happening in West Orangewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
According to a news release from the Downtown West Orange Alliance (DWOA), the land is located behind the Thomas Edison National Historical Park, near the Edison Lofts. The film studio project is set on approximately 12.2 acres within the town’s Film Services Overlay District.
The envisioned studio will span between 150,000 and 350,000 square feet and feature three to six production stages ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 square feet each. These stages will be equipped with on-site production services, including grip and electric equipment, props, set building, location catering, cleaning services and security. Additionally, the facility will include office and support spaces, as well as parking facilities capable of accommodating 200 to 400 cars and 30 to 60 trucks.
Once fully operational, the film studio project is expected to create 300 to 600 new full-time jobs, its proponents say.
Click Here: cheap sydney roosters jersey
Councilwoman Michelle Casalino, who advocated for the development of a corridor that will connect the film studio to downtown West Orange, said the project will be a “crucial step in drawing more visitors” to the area.
Several residents and community members said the film studio would be a win for the town and local businesses during the public comment portion of the meeting (watch the video below).
However, another speaker cautioned that questions about the project remain, including the purchase price, the potential for a payment in lieu of tax agreement (PILOT), and potential competition from other nearby movie studios. See Related: Lionsgate Will Get Extra Tax Breaks To Build Movie Studio In Newark
The concerns over a potential PILOT agreement were also cited by council members Asmeret Ghebremicael and Susan Scarpa, who each voted against the agreement.
Here’s what comes next, the DWOA said:
“Matrix Development Group will have 18 months to close on the property. This advance in the project enables Matrix Development to seek and secure a movie studio partner. Once the purchase is complete, MDGC will undertake the necessary environmental remediation of the property, in conjunction with the township, which is currently investigating various sources to assist in the cleanup and remediation.”
McCartney, who also serves as chair of the township’s Brownfields Development Steering Committee, submitted a grant application to New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in July for Brownfields remediation, the group noted.
The DWOA continued:
“Matrix Development Group has secured redevelopment rights for this film studio project, paying $400,000 to the township, which mirrors the expected property taxes for the year 2023. Matrix Development has committed substantial additional funds during the due diligence period to negotiate with a film studio partner and obtain the necessary state tax benefits for a viable project.”
Watch footage from the Sept. 24 town council meeting below, or view it online here.
Send local news tips and correction requests to [email protected]. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch West Orange Facebook page.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.