Millionaire developer Donald Nuckel, the largest rental housing owner in Little Ferry and Wallington, has apparently set his sights on making his next conquest, the Borough of North Arlington.
Nuckel’ s construction company is working on the monstrous development on the southern end of Ridge Road near Hedden Terrace which at 6 stories tall, will overshadow all nearby buildings as it becomes the tallest building in North Arlington.
Nuckel, who owns more than 1,000 apartments in South Bergen as well as several commercial shopping centers, was welcomed to town by Mayor Dan Pronti and his administration, which provided him with generous zoning exemptions to build his outsized building to accommodate 49 more housing units including five penthouse apartments.
Mayor Daniel Pronti Councilwoman Donna Bocchino Council President Mario Karcic
Thanks to Pronti’s support of the developer includes surrendering 14 publicly owned parking spaces in the nearby municipal lot to help Nuckel meet the parking requirements for his building.
That means 14 fewer parking spaces for residents who need to access to retail stores or doctors’ appointments on Ridge Road.
Pronti, who is receiving a generous disability pension from his time with the Montclair Police Department, is a real estate agent and investor in his own right. His pro-developer policies are evident by the surge in construction that has begun on his watch.
Nuckel’s past record indicates it is doubtful he will build just one building in North Arlington.
He has grappled with Little Ferry and Wallington officials to build more and larger developments.
He has filed several lawsuits seeking the right to develop low income housing as part of larger developments. He was recently embroiled in a legal battle with the Borough of Wallington to build a transit village in town, which would include many apartments units.
It is entirely conceivable, that Pronti will endorse wholesale and massive redevelopment in the borough, primarily involving rental units which are the specialty of Nuckel’s companies.
An internet search found that Mr. Nuckel operates under several different corporate entities including Donald Nuckel & Company, which also operates under the name Wallington Plaza Shopping Center, which is located in Little Ferry. Donald Nuckel & Company is estimated to generate $1.9 million in annual revenues. Nuckel is also connected to another company found on the internet: Renaissance Equity Apartments of Little Ferry.
Mayor Pronti may be opening the doors to a wholesale makeover of North Arlington by the millionaire developer who has a track record of being very aggressive in pursuit of his development goals.
And Nuckel is a generous campaign donor – and has a track record of using his vast wealth to influence municipal elections in support of candidates who support his company’s goals and objectives.
In 2015 a Super PAC (Political Action Committee) appeared in Little Ferry and began besieging voters with flyers and direct mail.
The Wall Street Journal reported at the time that: “The fliers started descending on the borough several weeks ago, accusing Mayor Mauro Raguseo, a Democrat, of incompetence and selling out his party after he sought assistance from Republican Gov. Chris Christie following superstorm Sandy.” Little Ferry was devasted by that historic storm. https://www.wsj.com/articles/super-pacs-target-local-races-1445216030
Raguseo said in a follow up article in 2016 that the Super PAC was responsible 25 separate fliers attacking him, along with several automated phone calls and “push” polls intended to disseminate negative information about the popular Little Ferry mayor.
In 2016 it was revealed by Sean Caddle, a consultant working for the PAC that “Nuckel was the guy who asked for the account to be set up.” https://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2016/03/a-big-mystery-in-little-ferry-is-solved-099109