Plainfield Netherwood Station Redevelopment Study Approved

The Plainfield City Council approved a revised resolution authorizing a redevelopment study near Netherwood Station by a 4 to 3 vote on Oct. 13, 2026. Newly appointed Councilwoman Robin Bright, who replaced Charles McRae, cast the deciding vote. Union County Life is summarizing the vote and discussion from TAPinto Plainfield’s report.

The council rejected the original resolution in September on a 3 to 3 vote. Councilors Briggs-Jones, Sessomes, and Wyatt voted against it, and Hockaday, Graham, and Cherry voted in favor. In October, all six members voted the same way as in September. Bright voted yes, which allowed the resolution to pass.

After the September vote, Mayor Adrian Mapp posted on social media, writing: “NJ Transit wants a public parking deck on the north side of Netherwood Station with some residential on top of the deck and with a restaurant at the station in the space that has been shuttered for decades. And guess what. The council said NO. Oh how we missed the honorable Charles McRae. The outcome would have been different. He would have voted for what’s best for the city.”

The October resolution is narrower than the September version. The September resolution would have authorized the Planning Board to investigate two NJ Transit properties, one on South Avenue and one on North Avenue. After the administration reviewed the sites, it determined that the North Avenue property, Block 402, had been studied previously and is already included in the TLD North redevelopment plan. Director of Economic Development Zenobia Fields said at the October meeting: “During the last council meeting, it was presented as two block and lots. Looking further into Block 402, which faces North Avenue, that had been studied previously and is currently in the TLD North redevelopment plan.”

Fields said NJ Transit, which owns the property, is looking to work with a developer on a leaseback arrangement. She described a concept that could include a multilevel parking deck with apartments above it on the North Avenue side, but she emphasized that the concept was not before the council for approval. “We are only requesting authorization to gather the property records to investigate the property,” Fields said. “We are not asking for approval of any concept.”

Councilman Hockaday asked about the financial rationale for combining apartments with structured parking. Fields said a parking deck could cost approximately $25,000 to $35,000 per space, and that parking revenue alone would not necessarily cover that cost. She said revenue from apartments above the deck could make the project financially feasible.

Councilwoman Darcella Sessomes asked how the project might improve parking at the station. Fields said the site now has a surface lot of roughly 75 spaces, and a multilevel structured deck would provide several hundred. Sessomes questioned whether there is demand for that much parking and whether the spaces would serve primarily commuters or residents. The source also notes that Seidler Field is across the street and that a new recreational facility is opening a block away.

The resolution now directs the Planning Board to investigate whether the South Avenue property meets the legal criteria for designation as a non-condemnation redevelopment area. The board must hold a public hearing and make a recommendation to the City Council. If the board recommends designation, it is authorized to begin preparing a redevelopment plan.

None of the six councilors who voted on the measure in both September and October changed their vote.

Find more Plainfield government and local news at unioncountylife.com.

FAQ

Did the council approve the Netherwood Station redevelopment study?
Yes. The council approved a revised resolution 4 to 3 on Oct. 13, after newly appointed Councilwoman Robin Bright cast the deciding vote.

What changed from the September version?
The October resolution covers only the South Avenue property. The North Avenue property, Block 402, was removed after officials said it had been studied and is already in the TLD North redevelopment plan.

Does the council approve a parking deck?
No. The council authorized only the property investigation. Director of Economic Development Zenobia Fields said the concept is not before the council for approval.

What happens next?
The Planning Board will investigate whether the South Avenue property meets the legal criteria for designation as a non-condemnation redevelopment area, hold a public hearing, and make a recommendation to the council.