Industry Leaders Discuss Policies Shaping the Future of CRE in New Jersey
EDISON, N.J. (March 25, 2025) – In an ever-changing market filled with uncertainty, NAIOP New Jersey’s recent Public Policy Symposium went in depth on topics on the minds of New Jersey’s commercial real estate professionals. The annual program was held at Northeast Carpenters Apprentice Training Center in Edison.
To start the program, NAIOP NJ CEO Dan Kennedy laid out the Chapter’s priorities for New Jersey’s next Governor. “We are paying a lot of attention to this race and are calling on the next administration to help reset the relationship with the state’s commercial real estate industry,” Kennedy said. Additionally, the Chapter is hoping to see reasonable land use law reforms, a reconstructing of New Jersey’s energy policy, advanced education and training for the labor force, and continued support for the Gateway Development Project.
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Codes and Standards team gave an update on the UCC Self-Certification program. Then, James Rhatican, VP of Land Use & Development, Assistant General Counsel, Hartz Mountain Industries, led a panel focusing on the program’s real-world benefits and efficiency gains. He was joined by panelists Andrew Thompson, President, AIA New Jersey, and Daniela Bartelli, Vice President of Land Development & Client Relations, Walsh Company, who provided their knowledge and best practices for self-certification.
Emily Lamond, Cole Schotz P.C., led a discussion on land use regulations and site clean-up. Jennifer Phillips Smith, Co-Chair, Real Property, Gibbons P.C., Kristopher Krzyston, Vice President, Regional Market Leader, T&M Associates, and Scott Bisbort, Senior Project Manager, Remediation & LSRP, Langan, presented on legislative developments with the state’s Department of Environmental Protection such as wetland rule changes, the inland flood protection rule, and NJ PACT.
The final panel, moderated by Anthony Pizzutillo, Owner, Pizzutillo Public Affairs, shined a spotlight on the Aspire program. Cecilia I. Lassiter, Chair of the State and Local Incentives Practice, Sills Cummis & Gross P.C., Brendan Pytka, Director of Tax Credits & Incentives, Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP, and Steven Mlenak, Partner/Co-chair, Redevelopment & Land Use Department, Greenbaum Rowe Smith & Davis LLP, discussed the program’s role in driving development and how tax credits are fueling growth and creating new opportunities.
PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured L-R are Emily Lamond, Cole Schotz P.C.; Kristopher Krzyston, T&M Associates; Jennifer Philips Smith, Gibbons P.C.; and Scott Bisbort, Langan.
###
About NAIOP New Jersey
2 Tower Center Blvd., Ste 1106, East Brunswick, NJ 08816-1100
Access NAIOP New Jersey media assets here.
Follow NAIOP New Jersey on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram
Media Contact:
Maxine Aviles / Christine Ziomek
Caryl Communications
201-796-7788
maxine@caryl.com / chris@caryl.com