According to independent reliable sources, the property known as the Sullivan property on Westfield Avenue at the intersection of Chestnut Street is in the final stages to be sold for $6.3 million. Capodagli Property Company (CPC) is the reported buyer of the property and there are plans to develop a 350 residential rental unit complex with retail space on the ground floor of the former car dealership.
CPC is the parent company of the “Meridia At Roselle Park” development, a six-story 213 residential unit complex further west on Westfield Avenue at the former Domani’s restaurant location which was approved last year by the municipal governing body and Municipal Land Use Board (MLUB).
It is not known if both developments will proceed or if CPC will choose to develop Sullivan before it develops “Meridia At Roselle Park” (link). Even though the project was approved and demolition has been completed, there has been an easement issue in relation to the a water pipe from American Waterway in between the two proposed buildings that make up the development at the former Domani’s site. This issue has the potential of delaying construction or increasing its cost by up to $250,000.
The 4½ acre Sullivan property – a combination of two lots – has been vacant since the Sullivan dealership closed in 2009. In 2011, the property was purchased by NJ Redevelopers, LLC for $1.5 million. Sal Garcia, a principal of NJ Developers as well as the owner of MAS Development Group, demolished most of the property in 2013. In 2015, NJ Developers had a preliminary application heard in front of the MLUB to have only retail stores with an AutoZone and three other unnamed business at the 10 West Westfield Avenue location. It was denied in June of 2015.
At the end of last year, mayor and council approved a study to have the properties designated as An Area In Need Of Redevelopment with a possible option of using eminent domain to acquire the property unless Mr. Garcia sold it.
According to statements made on the dais and in public by government officials, Mr. Garcia was in litigation with his partner regarding the Sullivan property. That partner has been named as Kenneth Esdale.
As of Friday morning, the final legal papers have not been signed and the sale has not been finalized.