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The West Orange Township Council approved the purchase of a 12-acre tract of land that will house a proposed film studio, as well as a new corridor to connect the facility to the city’s downtown.

Matrix Development Group submitted the proposal; the Monroe Township-based developer now has 18 months to close on the property. The major next step also enables Matrix Development to seek and secure a movie studio partner.

As NJBIZ reported in April, West Orange officials granted approval for a new cutting-edge studio, which will rise near the historic Thomas Edison National Historical Park and the Edison Lofts. That news also highlighted the municipality’s designation as a Film Ready Community by the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission (NJMPTVC).

“West Orange Township is standing at a transformative threshold with this $10 million dollar investment in our Downtown,” said West Orange Mayor Susan McCartney. “This agreement offers financial stability by bringing down our debt, generating tax-paying revenue, and works toward the necessary, needed remediation of the site.”

Key features of the project include:

• Set on 12.2 acres within the town’s Film Services Overlay District, adjacent to the historic site of the world’s first film production studio Thomas Edison’s Black Maria
• Aims to diversify local mixed-use development and economic foundation
• Studio will span between 150,000 square feet and 350,000 square feet, featuring three-to-six production stages ranging from 20,000 square feet to 30,000 square feet each
• Will offer on-site production services, including grip and electric equipment, props, set building, location catering, cleaning services and security
• Set to include office and support spaces as well as parking facilities to accommodate 200-400 cars and 30-60 trucks
• Estimated to create 300 to 600 new full-time jobs, once operational

Once the purchase is complete, Matrix Development will undertake necessary environmental remediation of the property, in conjunction with the town. The developer currently investigating sources to assist in the cleanup and remediation, and has submitted a grant application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for Brownfields remediation.

Matrix Development paid $400,000 to secure redevelopment rights for the film studio project. It has committed substantial additional funds during the due diligence period to negotiate with a film studio partner and obtain the necessary state tax benefits for a viable project.

Positive progress

“I believe this agreement will create a positive impact for our business owners and residents, and the economic vitality it will produce to effectively market ourselves as a premier film & TV production destination that will resonate for the Township for years to come,” said McCartney.

“Connecting the film studio to our vibrant Downtown is a crucial step in drawing more visitors to experience and explore the exceptional small businesses and events that make Downtown West Orange so unique,” said West Orange Councilwoman Michelle Casalino, a key advocate for the project and development of a corridor connecting the film studio and the heart of the downtown.

More action in NJ’s film industry:

• Newark launches its first office for film and television production
• Bayonne film studio cleared for $400M in Aspire tax credits (photos)
• Carteret collects nearly $10M in grant funding for film studio, ferry terminal