Passaic County Sues Over Easement for Paterson Complex
The county seeks temporary use of 241.9 square feet of a neighboring Main Street property after failing to reach a deal with its owner.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Commercial
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Passaic County filed an eminent domain lawsuit in state Superior Court seeking a two-year temporary easement covering 241.9 square feet of 332-344 Main St. in Paterson. The county offered $5,600 for the easement, but did not reach an agreement with the property owner, Empire Package LLC.
Why it matters
The easement would give the county access to the construction site of a $106.4 million government complex in Paterson. Officials expect the new offices to bring more business downtown.
The county's September appraisal by Wade Appraisal LLC valued the land at $115 per square foot, yielding a $5,564 cost for the two-year easement at a 10% annual rental rate. The county offered $5,600, and it remains unclear whether the property owner will accept that figure or seek more.
The players
Passaic County
Passaic County is a northern New Jersey county whose government is building a $106.4 million complex in Paterson and is pursuing the easement through eminent domain.
Empire Package LLC
Empire Package LLC is the company that bought the 332-344 Main St. building in February 2023 for $3.55 million and is the property owner resisting the county's offer.
Spencer Savings Bank
Spencer Savings Bank is a lender that holds a mortgage on the Main Street property and is named as a defendant in the county's lawsuit.
The details
The county will deposit the $5,600 with the court and take possession of the easement for two years, while asking a judge to appoint three commissioners to determine the owner's compensation. Empire Package LLC bought the building in February 2023 for $3.55 million, and Spencer Savings Bank, which holds a mortgage on the property, is also named in the lawsuit.
Timeline
Sept. 25: The county mailed its $5,600 easement offer to the property owner.
Oct. 13: Commissioners authorized condemnation and held the groundbreaking ceremony.
Oct. 27: The county filed the eminent domain complaint in Superior Court.
Nov. 16: Defendants' deadline to respond to the lawsuit.
Nov. 30: Scheduled court decision on the easement request.
Legal Context
Under New Jersey's eminent domain statute, a government body can seek a temporary construction easement when it cannot agree on terms with an owner, with a court-appointed commission setting compensation. The county's two-year request follows that procedure rather than a full property taking, which limits the owner's loss to the duration of the easement.
Residents and businesses near 332-344 Main St. may see construction activity and access changes over the two-year easement period. The new complex's roughly 500 parking spaces could affect traffic and parking patterns downtown once it opens.
The takeaway
The county's dispute shows how a small temporary easement can hold up a large public project when owner and government cannot agree on price. Readers tracking downtown Paterson development should watch the Nov. 30 court decision.
What happens next
Defendants must respond to the complaint by Nov. 16, and the court is scheduled to decide the county's easement request on Nov. 30.
Further reading
For more on local property deals, see Paterson Commercial real estate coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by North Jersey.
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