Public bidding is the favored method for government projects because it promotes competition, and guards against favoritism and corruption. Nevertheless, the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (LRHL), N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq, provides an alternate route pursuant to which the government can sell to and engage a hand-picked developer as part of a specific redevelopment plan if the property is designated an “area in need of redevelopment.”

West Orange invoked the LRHL to designate its library as an “area in need of redevelopment.” Like many public buildings, the library is long in the tooth. Built in 1959 and renovated in 1979, it is regularly in need of repair with a physical setup that is not ideal. For example, a different configuration would allow for additional computers and more programming. Although it serves 150,000 people a year, West Orange wants a new library and sought the LRHL designation to get the ball rolling.

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