Bill
S 3516
Authorizes sale/conveyance of Riverfront Prison site to NJEDA and Camden for redevelopment, with defined sale terms, immediate effect, and no extra legislative approvals.
Purpose and intent
- Authorizes the State Treasurer to sell and convey all State interests in the former Riverfront State Prison site in Camden, Camden County (a 16½-acre parcel with improvements), and directs the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the City of Camden to determine site boundaries and manage subsequent redevelopment.
- Repeals a 2013 provision (P.L.2013, c.22) that authorized sale of the site to the NJEDA for public auction to a prequalified developer, a sale that never occurred.
Key provisions
- Property to be sold and conveyed
- NJEDA Site: to be sold to the NJEDA for the lesser of $5,000,000 or the appraised value at sale.
- City Site: to be sold to the City of Camden for $1.00, conditioned on the City conveying its right, title, and interest in the Southwest Site to the NJEDA.
- Southwest Site: to be conveyed to the NJEDA by the City as part of the above arrangement.
- Site boundaries
- The NJEDA Site, City Site, and Southwest Site boundaries within the 16½-acre Riverfront Prison property will be determined by the NJEDA in consultation with the City of Camden and the Department of the Treasury.
- Conveyance and approvals
- The conveyance by the State Treasurer to the NJEDA and City will not require approval by the State House Commission or further legislative action.
- After conveyance, the NJEDA may sell the NJEDA Site and Southwest Site in accordance with terms set by the NJEDA.
- The City Site sale includes an intentional restriction that the Southwest Site be conveyed to the NJEDA; the City Site is conveyed in “as is” condition with no state obligation to repair or upgrade improvements.
- Timing and effectiveness
- The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Fiscal and budget impact (as analyzed)
- One-time state revenue increase to the Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund: up to $5,000,001 from the sale of surplus property to the NJEDA and City.
- One-time expenditures:
- NJEDA: up to $5,000,000 (associated with development activities funded by the sale)
- City of Camden: $1 (nominal)
- These figures reflect a one-time transfer/expense profile; ongoing programmatic funding is not specified.
Administrative and procedural notes
- The bill allows the NJEDA to follow its standard redevelopment process for the properties received from the State and City.
- No House Commission or broader legislative approvals are required for the conveyances under this bill.
- Immediate effect and repeal of the prior 2013 sale framework.
Legislative status and sponsors
- Introduced: June 26, 2024
- Status: Referred to Transportation (Senate)
- Primary sponsor: Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton
- Related/potential companion: A4707
Impact at a glance
- Focuses on unlocking redevelopment of the Riverfront Prison site by reallocating portions to the NJEDA and City of Camden with downstream authority to redevelop and sell portions for public benefit, while preserving park/recreation uses for the City Site and expediting disposition without additional legislative approvals.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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