Rahway Approves $4.4M Bonds for Property Purchases and Improvements
The Pierce Street Properties Are A Block From The Train Station
Residents demand details about the city's redevelopment plan
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Rahway’s City Council voted to approve $4.4 million in bonds for capital improvements and a property purchase.
Several residents raised concerns about the spending plan, which allocates $2.255 million for capital improvements and $2.144 million to purchase three properties on Pierce Street.
Details for the Rahway property purchase can be found in the Aug. 11 City Council agenda. The three lots slated for purchase are 1334, 1340, and 1348 Pierce St.—a row of boarded-up houses a block from the train station, near East Milton Ave.
Before the vote, several residents questioned the scope of the purchases and how the sites might be used. Terry Davis said she was surprised to learn of the proposal and asked for details on the city’s plans for the lots. Officials offered few specifics. Robert Landolfi, who leads the Rahway Redevelopment Agency and serves as the mayor’s chief of staff, said a redevelopment plan is in place for the properties but provided no further detail.
Davis said she opposes additional apartments, arguing that city infrastructure—especially public schools—is already under strain.
“We don’t even have a real supermarket in Rahway,” Davis said, drawing applause.
Street view of Pierce Street properties in Rahway that the city council plans to purchase with $4.4 million in bonds. (Google Maps)
Andrew Garcia Phillips also pressed for details and drew applause from attendees. He noted that the properties are owned by the same developer, Robert D’Anton, whose company bought the lots for far less than the city’s maximum estimate of more than $2 million.
Property sale records on Zillow indicate the lots were purchased separately in 2021 for a combined $1.185 million. Zillow now estimates their collective value at about $1.4 million.
Garcia Phillips accused the developer of letting the houses fall into disrepair and alleged that D’Anton has a close financial relationship with Mayor Raymond Giacobbe. He urged the council to scrutinize the deal. In response, Mayor Giacobbe said he had no comment because he was not at the meeting and did not hear what was said. Mr. D’Anton could not be reached for comment. The Central Jerseyan has not confirmed these allegations.
During closing comments, Council Member Jeremy Mojica said an individual who “obviously has a contempt for the mayor and the council” made false statements. “I just asked the our citizens to be advocates for yourselves and look into things and ask questions just for yourselves,” Mojica said. “Don’t always go by what everyone says.”
Google Maps aerial screenshot showing the Pierce Street neighborhood where Rahway plans property purchases. The yellow box shows the location of the properties.
Council Vice President Jeffrey Brooks responded to the complaint about grocery options.
“I’ve lived in town for 30 years. I have to say that we do have supermarkets.” he said. “It just might not be food town or A&P, or some of the commercial spots.”
Brooks highlighted Universal Food Market, on Elizabeth Avenue, which he said is celebrating its 20th anniversary in Rahway this month.
The council approved both bond resolutions without dissent.