Harrison OKs $1.05M Property Deal Without Public Explanation

The Harrison Mayor & Council have passed an ordinance authorizing the purchase of a residential property located at 422-424 William Street, identified as Block 29, Lot 15.02 on the Town’s tax map. The purchase price for the two-family property is $1,050,000, with the Town allocating a total of $1,250,000 to cover both the acquisition and any improvements to the site.

The ordinance appropriating funds for the transaction, as well as the ordinance approving the property purchase itself, were both passed without any explanation or discussion during the most recent public meeting of the Mayor & Council. The lack of transparency has prompted speculation among residents and community observers about the intended use of the property.

Why Is Mayor & Council Purchasing The Building

The three-story structure, which also includes a garage with living space above—likely a converted stable from a previous era—sits adjacent to Lincoln Elementary School, fueling speculation that the Town may be acquiring the property to allow for future expansion of the school. Others have raised the possibility that the site could be earmarked for affordable housing, a frequent topic of interest in a town balancing redevelopment pressures with longstanding community needs. If the property is to be used for expansion of the school, should not the Harrison Board of Education be the purchaser of the property?  Or could it be that the Mayor & Council are purchasing the property to use it as a resident parking lot to alleviate the terrible lack of parking in the neighborhood?

Despite the uncertainty surrounding its purpose, the purchase has raised eyebrows because of the price tag. The property is currently assessed at $509,000 for tax purposes—less than half of the agreed-upon sale price. While assessed values are generally not reflective of real-time market conditions, real estate platform Zillow estimates the property’s market value at $895,700, with a projected sales range between $761,000 and $1.05 million. The Town’s decision to pay the maximum end of that range without public justification has added to the growing questions from community members about the purchase.

Lack of Transparency & Accountability

To date, no public statements have been issued by Mayor James Fife or Council members, which in the 4^th Ward include Councilman James Doran, explaining the rationale behind the acquisition, the source of the funding, or the plans for the site. With $200,000 earmarked for unspecified “improvements,” the community is calling for greater transparency and accountability regarding how taxpayer dollars are being spent.

Residents seeking clarity on the matter may address the Mayor & Council during the public comment portion of the next scheduled meeting. The Regular meeting for this coming Tuesday, July 15, 2025, was canceled.  A Special Mayor & Council meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at the Harrison Town Hall, 318 Harrison Avenue, Harrison, NJ.  During the Public comment or question portion of the meeting, any person can ask a question or make a statement, or both.  Our Democracy only flourishes if you participate.

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