Last month, YIMBY broke the story for a major site to be developed at 115 River Road, in Edgewater, New Jersey. While we initially reported the address at 615 River Road, that was incorrect; however, the developer of 615 River Road has now filed a lawsuit in Federal Court, alleging that a series of “corrupt transactions” led to the Borough’s vote to seize the property by eminent domain back in September, in a secret bid to transfer the lot to developer Fred Daibes, who is behind 115 River Road.
The Complaint describes many occurrences that seem slightly coincidental. Edgewater’s Mayor, Michael McPartland, lives in a luxury apartment in a building owned by Daibes, and pays a reduced rent. Two members on the Borough’s Zoning Board of Adjustment also have close ties to the developer, with Mark Klein and Jeffrey Mathieu having “engaged in multiple real-estate transactions with Daibes entities using funds provided by Daibes-owned Mariner’s Bank.”
As detailed in the Complaint,
Daibes also exercises control in the Borough by “appointing” members of Edgewater’s land-use boards. Current Zoning Board of Adjustment (“ZBA”) members Mark Klein and Jeffrey Mathieu have close relationships with Daibes Entities. Mathieu was a Vice-President of a Daibes Entity for nearly 20 years, and both Klein and Mathieu have engaged in multiple real-estate transactions with Daibes Entities using funds provided by Daibes-owned Mariner’s Bank. Similarly, Daibes ensures that Mariner’s Bank is quick to make loans to local officials, including Councilpersons Anthony Bartolomeo, Victor Monte, and Dolores Lawlor; Planning Board member Kathleen D’Errico; ZBA attorney Denise Travers and her mother-in- law, Councilwoman Duane Fischetti; former Mayor Bryan Christiansen; construction official, building and housing inspector, Land Use Administrator, and Planning Board member, John Candelmo; and others.
Upon information and belief, among the Edgewater officials who have received improper, or improperly concealed, benefits from Daibes are Mayor Michael McPartland and Councilpersons Bartolomeo, Monte, Vidal, Fischetti, and Henwood, all of whom are reliably reported to be “in the pocket” of Daibes. In addition, upon information and belief, Candelmo, Denise Travers, former Mayor Bryan Christiansen and his brother, current ZBA Chairman Robert Christiansen, Councilwoman Fischetti, and former Councilwoman Lois Fein all have had business and/or familial relationships with Daibes that rendered them reliable supporters of Daibes’ development projects.
The party behind the suit is 615 River Road Partners, a joint venture by the Maxal Group and EnviroFinance Group, based in Denver. The developers bought the former Hess Site, totaling 18.7 acres, in 2014, and have submitted plans that would generate an estimated $12.4 million in annual tax revenue for the Borough.
615 River Road, image by FXFOWLE
Besides the tax revenue, 615 River Road would yield 1,873 apartments split between seven buildings, ranging from 18 to 25 floors in height, as well as 60,000 square feet of retail space, all designed by FXFOWLE. Plans also include extensive green space and new parks, a waterfront promenade, as well as rooftop gardens atop the podiums of the new mid- and high-rises. There would also be 300 affordable apartments.
615 River Road, image by FXFOWLE
As the renderings show, the scope is expansive, though the vertical impact of the project will be relatively small. But, while the Borough has voiced vociferous NIMBY complaints against the height and scope of 615 River Road, Daibes plans’ for 115 River Road are about the same square footage, but three times taller. And, prior to YIMBY’s reporting, no-one had any idea that 115 River Road, which has already been rezoned thanks to an upzoning passed by the Borough in early October, was even in the pipeline.
Coincidentally, or not, the upzoning was approved only two weeks after the Borough voted to seize 615 River Road using eminent domain.
115 River Road
The Complaint, and the situation on the ground, paints a picture that is highly unfavorable to the Borough’s elected officials. Besides benefiting from Daibes directly, they have now waged a war against a competing developer, and have voted to seize 615 River Road on the basis that it should become a park with riverfront access, despite the fact that plans already include provisions for these amenities.
The Mayor also contends that 615 River Road, which is the most valuable property in the borough, should be designated for the relocation of Edgewater’s public works garage. The current public works garage is located adjacent to The Alexander, one of Daibes properties, which is coincidentally where the Mayor lives. The federal complaints alleges that if the borough moves the garage to 615 River Road, the land adjacent to the current public works garage will be sold to Daibes and rezoned, so he can add another 320 units to The Alexander.
As described in the Complaint, it is not unreasonable to imagine a scenario where the seized property at 615 River Road is transferred to the elected officials’ patron for pennies on the dollar, resulting in Daibes’ further consolidation of power within the Borough.
While the situation at 615 River Road is fishy on its own, when viewing the property’s seizure within the lens of other new developments in Edgewater, it seems even more dubious. And when considering that 115 River Road was upzoned by local elected officials who are receiving monetary benefits from Daibes directly or otherwise, a conflict of interest seems evident.
Finally, as reported in The New York Times by Charles Bagli back on October 4th, and detailed in the Complaint,
Daibes unsuccessfully sought to buy the Property [615 River Road] and told representatives of Hess Corporation (“Hess”), the prior owner of the Property, that if Hess did not sell the Property to him, he would ensure that it would “never be built on.” Daibes even directly threatened Plaintiff’s representatives that they “should have come to me in the beginning. I own and built this town. Now it will be condemned; I am your neighbor on all sides.” The New York Times has reported that Daibes “boasts that he has either built or been a partner in every project in Edgewater over the past two decades.”
According to a source, Daibes’ is currently modifying the design for 115 River Road, however the unit count will remain the same, in accordance with the unanimously-approved upzoning. Plans for 615 River Road are on hold while the suit is pending in U.S. Federal District Court, in Newark.
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Please pardon me for using your space: How about wave on wall of a building?
How about the fact that Fred Daibes also was Mariner bank’s founder and majority shareholder and wrote himself loans for his projects AND defaulted on them to hie benefit? This guy is beyond corrupt and in 2017 you would think the state or feds would catch on and lock him up.
http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/watchdog/2017/08/04/archive-former-top-democrats-defaulted-loans/484460001/
Wow. Corrupt as ever. Would like more info as the case unfolds. Hopefully Daibes won’t be able to do his project and his land gets eminent domained to the other developer
He could be the most corrupt person in Bergen County. He has done this to smaller land owners as well. He got what he deserved when he got kidnapped.
At least 3 people have Dabies and Dematrakis on tape making bribes… When is enough enough in Edgewater!
Its time for a change here. The man is corrupt as they come. You would think after Madoff he would have learned to be more straight edge.
Daibes is the result of many: people who complain, but don’t attend council meetings, people who are greedy enough to benefit from his projects at the peril of the rest if the town, people who give up and give in, decide to leavge the mess that is Edgewater and sell their property to Daibes for redevelopment. The town has a long and storied history, as befits a Hudson river town. The shame of it is that all its charm has been razed by this vulture of a developer and its high time he is taken down. As it stands Edgewater, which is less than half a mile wide, cannot handle either of the proposed big projects. The addyof nearly 4000 new units will effectively “brick” the town and its resources. All the planning in the world cannot hide this obvious fact and many departments need to come together to halt this. Residents, go to board meetings, get involved. It’s your town too. You’ve got to work together to stop this travesty before Daibes turns Edgewater into Pottersville.
All of you are Jealous of this man Fred, Where were you all when Fred and others Risk everything to build this Tow of Edgewater for what it is today, And furthermore he is very Helpful generous giving person to a Average Joe you all will ever see a man like Fred in your life time God-bless Fred.
This is not NIMBY corrupution; it’s YIMBY corruption; the country is owned by big money who don’t give a hoot about people.
Regarding new owners of 615 River Road, Maxal Group and EnviroFinance Group fron NY they claim all this nonsense about Fred wher Maxal group wants to build in the midel of edgewster another city for Their own profits and greed and they don’t even know Or care for any one in Edgewater like Fred does regarding all the nonsense character smearing about Fred In file documents they don’t even know Fred’s Generosity humble background giving and caring and helping anyone comes across to him, and yet when some people they get in problems they want to blame Fred hhhh, And great family man, the plaintive blindly using Fred’s kindness and goodness Against him In there court filing documents. Regarding people complaining about Fred in town not complaining now when there 50×100 land prices went from $250.000 up to $900.000+, yet same property in Cliffside Park East of Edgewater is worth $450.000 thanks to Fred and other local builders for Edgewater being what it is today, And regarding this big companies coming to Edgewater their selfish and greedy corrupt that’s the last thing Edgewater needs I do not trust them.
PLAINTIFF 615 RIVER ROAD PARTNERS, LLC EnviroFinance Group, LLC
Accuser got RICH taking advantage 2007-2010 collapse of housing bubble buying land from defaulting American mortgage holders from banks, and they have audacity to smear Fred and the town of Edgewater. Read from their own web site http://www.envirofinancegroup.com/about/history/.
*EnviroFinance Group, LLC (“EFG”), is a premier land reuse and Redevelopment Company with a track record for successfully remediating and repositioning environmentally challenged properties for productive reuse. EFG’s history dates to 2001 when the Company’s predecessor began making secured loans to fund the acquisition, remediation and redevelopment of Brownfields in California. In 2006, the Company’s predecessor formed EFG to expand its lending business nationwide. The Company was repositioned from lender to developer in 2011 to benefit from new commercial real estate opportunities created by the 2007 – 2010 recession.
Hope this Daibes guy end up in a jail. I seen and heard many things about him.. he’s too corrupted. So as all the Edgewater borough donkies that have ties to him, they need to go to jail. What a disgrace to the beautiful town of NJ.
This is going on in New Jersey? I’m Shocked!
New York Yimby is a great organization – thank you for covering this story and the evils of NIMBYISM – which is the worst tax on the U.S. middle class.
Those who have not sinned Please cast the 1st stone all of you are cray baby and Jealous of Daibes!!!
Rooster you are clearly drinking the koolaide
Shame on you and your very slanted
Perspective
Keep up that support of Daibes and you can
Share a piece of Hell with him
Again stop crying and and start drinking koolaide just face it the Daibes is building things not braking things give him a Hug snd smile life is good. God Bless Daibes and God bless you all to. Adios amigos.
So Dabies have built over 3000 market price homes (luxury) but not a single low income house on Edgewater, and now the Major Partland is justifying denial or zoning request from the other developer because they need low income housing??? Not to mention the Major was living at Alexander which is one of Dabies luxury condo with deep discounted rent?? These guys are beyond corruption. We need to expel the Major and Dabies’ possi and bring them to justice.
Have any of you ever build Any low income housing in Edgewater, if not why dont you Complaining Ladies and gentleman stop Complaining about Dabies!! and get together and start building a low income housing in Edgewate.
I know Daibes for over 30 years Fred and his family always helping the Community regarding Reasonable rental prices or getting a job his always there and helping the Community and in Return not expecting anything back and that’s a fact!! I wish more people were Humble like him around us unfortunately we don’t have enough good people like Daibes around, so stop complaining about Daibes, the man that have been good to the community for over 30 years. God’s speed with you F.A.D.
SaveEdgewater, do your homework Daibes has Build low income housing.
Lord please strike the wicked,clearly you have not drinking enough koolaide.you want some Koolaide In martini glass.
@Rooster Pablo Escobar was also very generous to local people and his allies… all while he killed off competition… literally. And yes people he paid assisted him.
Daibes is a crook and the town council is corrupt and bought out.
He simply does not want competition… and is doing so with crony capitalism.
I hope he goes to jail along with the rest of the town council.
Jabberwolf, you are watching to much TV looks like, I did not know this days if you build a town u go to jail. Looks like Jealousy is a sickness all of you relax and take deep breath and move on.
Take a look at this video. https://www.facebook.com/johnstossel/videos/10155756210939117/?t=229
The Major Partland and his council dont even answer Mr.Stossel’s question on why major dont let 615 river rd to be developed which by the way, will generate $12m in tax revenue and asked if he had ties to Fred Daibes. They completely shut him up and end the session. They are clearly guilty of giving favors to Daibes.
The residents of Edgewater need to stand up and get rid of the corrupted politicians by voting.
Rooster, are you sitting on Major’s left or right?
SaveEdgewater. Are you sitting on one way jealousy train. Do you even know Fred If yes then talk, if not do your homework befor you open your mouth about Fred. I bet you anything you don’t even know him SaveEdgewater.
Another thing all you of Unaware about Fred Daibes his contribution as a good American Christian has been helping The community of Edgewater for years, Few to mention helping holy rosary church for years in Edgewater NJ, and for 20 years his been helping Art Festival on old River Road financially as of this year his contribution around $40,0000 with out asking anything back Even refusing to accept award plaq from art festival Due to his Homebul nature, and this are facts Not lies, be free to call the church and Festival Organizers any time.?
John stossel was paid agent of 615 Maxel group To attack Edgewater officials and builder. This is why John stossel was one sided In his reporting by attacking Edgewater officials, Next time John stossel wants Real debate he should let the Residence of Edgewater be aware rather then ambushing the town officialsof,Jhon next meetings please keep us aware so we all can attend and debate thank you John stossel .
Wow you must get paid well to troll for Daibes.
So Rooster, How do you know Daibes so well? Do you live in one of his condos with deep discount as well? Is your job to screen and attack on bad comments about Daibes?