City Properties for Sale
City of Salem Property Development Opportunities
The City of Salem is seeking qualified developers, homebuilders, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community partners to rehabilitate vacant and underutilized properties and return them to productive use.
The City’s priorities include:
- Expanding homeownership;
- Creating affordable and workforce housing;
- Rehabilitating viable existing structures;
- Supporting responsible rental and multifamily development where appropriate;
- Revitalizing commercial corridors and neighborhoods;
- Preserving Salem’s historic character; and
- Preventing speculation and prolonged vacancy.
The City is also advancing neighborhood revitalization through its Choice Neighborhoods initiative, affordable housing planning, targeted redevelopment efforts, and partnerships with public and private organizations.
Salem Land Bank
The Salem Land Bank was formally established following City Council approval on July 22, 2026, and operates under the authority of the Cumberland County Improvement Authority.
The Cumberland County Improvement Authority establishes the Land Bank’s rules, application procedures, property-disposition requirements, and proposal-review process. Applications or proposals involving Land Bank properties will be reviewed and administered by the Authority rather than directly by the City.
Developer Approval
A developer must submit a complete City of Salem developer application and be approved before the City will consider a proposal for a City-owned property.
Applicants must generally demonstrate:
- Relevant development or rehabilitation experience;
- Financial and operational capacity;
- A realistic project plan, budget, and completion schedule; and
- The ability to comply with zoning, construction, historic-preservation, and occupancy requirements.
Approval as a developer does not guarantee that a property will be sold or awarded.
Housing and Homeownership Priorities
The City’s primary residential objective is to rehabilitate properties and place them on the market as quality homes for individuals and families who will live in Salem.
Some properties may be reserved for:
- First-time homebuyers;
- Affordable or workforce homeownership;
- Direct sale to qualified owner-occupants; or
- Programs connected to the City’s affordable housing and Choice Neighborhoods goals.
Responsible rental proposals will not automatically be denied. However, homeownership will generally receive priority unless a property is better suited for multifamily housing or another specialized use.
Historic Properties
Several properties are located within Salem’s historic district or may otherwise be subject to historic-preservation requirements.
Projects may require approval from the Salem Historic Preservation Commission, the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office, or a qualified preservation easement holder.
Any developer purchasing a property that requires a historic-preservation easement must be prepared to pay all easement-related costs associated with the transaction.
Applicants for historic properties must either:
- Demonstrate experience rehabilitating historic buildings; or
- Present a credible restoration plan capable of receiving Historic Preservation Commission approval.
Historic-preservation requirements are not waived because a property is vacant, deteriorated, or publicly owned.
West Broadway Commercial Redevelopment Package
The following properties must be purchased and redeveloped together under a City-approved plan:
Block/Lot: 13/46
Address: 142–144 W. Broadway
Block/Lot: 13/47
Address: 146 W. Broadway
Block/Lot: 13/48
Address: 148 W. Broadway
The City is seeking a coordinated commercial or mixed-use project that activates West Broadway, improves the surrounding area, and creates a sustainable long-term use.
Former Salem Café
Block/Lot: 13/52
Address: 113–119 Market Street
This property contains the former Salem Café. It is separate from the West Broadway package, but preference may be given to a proposal that coordinates this property with the West Broadway Commercial Redevelopment Project.
Other Broadway Opportunities
309 E. Broadway
Block/Lot: 65/25 ✦ Address: 309 E. Broadway
The proposed use must comply with applicable zoning, construction, occupancy, and historic-preservation requirements.
345 E. Broadway
Block/Lot: 69/1 ✦ Address: 345 E. Broadway
This property may be suitable for rehabilitation as an apartment building containing approximately six residential units, subject to all required approvals. The City’s general preference for homeownership does not apply in the same manner to this property because it is intended for multifamily use.
Broadway Historic Requirements
- Broadway properties may require Historic Preservation Commission approval, New Jersey Historic
- Preservation Office review, or participation by a qualified preservation easement holder before a sale can be completed.
- The selected developer will be responsible for all required easement costs and must have historic rehabilitation experience or present an acceptable restoration plan.
Hubbell Avenue Residential Redevelopment Package
The following properties are intended to be considered as a coordinated residential redevelopment package:
Block/Lot: 15/9
Address: 50 Hubbell Avenue
Block/Lot: 17/8
Address: 78–80 Hubbell Avenue
Block/Lot: 16/31
Address: 103 Hubbell Avenue
Block/Lot: 18/7
Address: 114–116 Hubbell Avenue
Block/Lot: 18/13
Address: 126 Hubbell Avenue
Block/Lot: 15/15
Address: Hubbell Avenue
Most of these parcels contain existing residential structures.
The City is seeking a coordinated project that provides quality housing for working individuals and families.
Preference may be given to proposals that rehabilitate viable structures and place completed homes on the market for owner-occupancy.
Oak Street Historic-Area Properties
The following properties are located within the Historic Preservation Commission area:
Block/Lot: 52/25
Address: 5 Oak Street
Block/Lot: 52/26
Address: 7 Oak Street
Block/Lot: 54/21
Address: 9–11 Oak Street
Block/Lot: 54/22
Address: 13 Oak Street
Block/Lot: 59/17
Address: 10 Oak Street
Block/Lot: 60/11
Address: 18 Oak Street
Block/Lot: 60/12
Address: 20 Oak Street
Block/Lot: 77/23
Address: Rear Oak Street Parcel
Block/Lot: 78/4
Address: 38 Oak Street
Rehabilitation, demolition, new construction, and exterior alterations may require Historic Preservation Commission approval. Some Oak Street properties may be reserved for first-time homebuyers, affordable homeownership, or direct owner-occupant programs.
Additional Residential Opportunities
Block/Lot: 14/9
Address: 198 Pledger Street
Block/Lot: 14/9
Address: 198 Pledger Street
Block/Lot: 14/10
Address: 200 Pledger Street
Block/Lot: 28/64
Address: 244 Craven Avenue
Block/Lot: 28/65
Address: 248–250 Craven Avenue
Block/Lot: 110/15
Address: 185 Crossland Avenue
Block/Lot: 113/16
Address: 170 Chestnut Street
Block/Lot: 120/11
Address: Kent Street
Proposals will be considered based on the applicant’s qualifications, financing, proposed use, neighborhood impact, and consistency with the City’s housing and redevelopment priorities.
Certain properties may be reserved for direct owner-occupant sales, first-time homebuyer programs, affordable housing, new construction, side-lot use, or inclusion in a larger redevelopment initiative.
Special Waterfront Partnership Opportunity
322 Grant Street
Block/Lot: 26/11
Address: 322 Grant Street
322 Grant Street is not being offered for sale.
This waterfront property includes a former church building that remains in relatively good condition. The City is interested in reviewing proposals from qualified businesses, organizations, developers, or operators seeking to lease the property or enter into a partnership with the City.
Potential uses may include:
- A restaurant or culinary destination;
- An event or reception venue;
- A cultural or arts use;
- A hospitality or tourism-related use;
- A community-oriented commercial use; or
- Another adaptive reuse that activates the waterfront.
The City may also consider a proposal involving a City-issued commissary liquor license, subject to availability and all required legal, regulatory, licensing, and City Council approvals.
Proposals should explain the intended use, relevant experience, anticipated improvements, financing, operating plan, public benefit, and proposed lease or partnership structure.
How to Apply
Interested parties must submit a complete City of Salem Developer Qualification Application (available using the red button below) before the City will consider a proposal for a City-owned property.
Land Bank properties are administered separately by the Cumberland County Improvement Authority and are subject to the Authority’s application and review process.