State lawmakers are considering legislation that would make it easier to redevelop vacant shopping malls and office complexes into mixed-use communities that include housing, an effort supporters say could help address New Jersey’s ongoing housing shortage. The proposal, backed by State Sen. Benjie Wimberly, would allow qualifying vacant commercial properties to bypass certain zoning hurdles, opening the door for developers to transform struggling retail centers into residential and commercial developments.
Supporters of the measure say New Jersey remains more than 200,000 housing units short of meeting demand and argue that underutilized malls offer an opportunity to create new housing without developing additional open land. The bill would require at least 20% of any approved residential units to be designated as affordable housing.
Several major mall redevelopment projects are already underway across the state, including the former Monmouth Mall, where construction began in 2024 to transform the property into a mixed-use development featuring housing, retail space, offices, and public gathering areas. Plans have also been approved for redevelopment of the former East Brunswick Mall, while the shuttered Livingston Mall has been cited as another potential candidate for conversion.
While advocates view the proposal as a creative solution to New Jersey’s housing crisis, some residents and local officials have raised concerns about increased density and the impact additional development could have on existing communities. Supporters of the bill maintain that the legislation is intended to encourage redevelopment of long-vacant properties rather than override local control.
