The Redevelopment of Millville

Team Santiago reported good things to come on the redevelopment front. To accomplish the “Team” fired the city’s redevelopment attorney who had a proven track record of successes in Collingswood and Glassboro and appointed the CCIA . Yes the CCIA.

The same CCIA that moved out of its High and Main Street offices and tried to sell the building back to the City. That deal was going to cost the city millions until the taxpayers stood up and voiced their opposition resulting in the cancellation (for now) of the deal.

The CCIA’s job is and has been to assist Cumberland County’s municipalities. Why does the city have to “hire” the CCIA to discharge its duty?   What has the CCIA done to redevelop the Wheaton Property? Did the CCIA advise Team Santiago not to collect the taxes due on the property? Did the CCIA advise Team Santiago to pay GGI $100,000 to acquire the property? Did the CCIA advise Team Santiago not to hold GGI accountable to maintain the property? Is the CCIA advising Team Santiago not to work with Anthony DeSantis, the only person interested in the property?

The CCIA’s latest project is to build a Complete Care on the corner of High and Broad Streets. That corner is not zoned for medical businesses. The medical business area is the area around the old Millville Hospital where several medical offices are presently. Team Santiago is also working on changing the zoning rules so that this project would be allowed in the downtown area. This is called spot zoning and is illegal in New Jersey. But why would that stop Team Santiago? To further help the CCIA’s project, Team Santiago gave the CCIA a property on Buck Street for free. This building was given to the CCIA without any guarantee that it would be used by the CCIA for the stated purpose and before any approvals for the project have been given by the planning board.  The attorney representing the CCIA in this project is none other than Mr. Marmero from the firm where Doug Long works. Yes the firm that Team Santiago has given many lucrative contracts in the city despite the numerous ethical and criminal charges against their attorneys. This is a blatant conflict of interest, but then conflicts of interest have never bothered the CCIA nor this Commission for that matter.

So one problem with the CCIA being in charge of redevelopment is the conflict of interest. You cannot represent someone you are doing business with. The next is all redevelopment is behind closed doors. The CCIA can operate without taxpayers being aware of what is going. Where is Team Santiago’s promised transparency?


Being the city’s redeveloper is great for the CCIA but it is a disservice to the city. It is not an unbiased approach to what is good for the city. The goal is only for the CCIA to profit.

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