Reclaimed PILOT revenue reaches nearly $3.8 million as the City issues final 30-day notices ahead of the municipal lien sale
Moving to collect the remaining balances in its citywide PILOT compliance campaign, the City of Hackensack will auction over $2.5 million in municipal tax liens across seven delinquent properties on December 21, 2026.
Formal 30-day notices were issued today, November 12, following City Council authorization for an accelerated tax lien sale—marking the final statutory step before unpaid balances go to public auction. To date, Hackensack’s enforcement push has reclaimed nearly $3.8 million in past-due revenue and interest for municipal accounts—up from the approximately $3.6 million reported in October and more than double the $1.6 million collected by August.
“Everyday homeowners and small businesses pay their taxes on time, and they should never have to carry the weight for developers who ignore their obligations,” said Mayor Caseen Gaines. “Consistent oversight protects our community and sets a clear, fair standard for doing business in Hackensack.”
The compliance push began earlier this year when an independent financial audit examined the city’s PILOT agreements—long-term tax exemptions that allow developers to make a reduced annual payment instead of traditional property taxes. That audit uncovered millions in unbilled fees, missing certified filings, and mounting statutory interest across existing agreements, a tab that swelled to $6.7 million once mandatory developer records came to light.
Over the past several months, the City moved systematically from audit findings to legal demand letters, contract terminations, and now a scheduled lien auction. While most of the originally cited developments have since submitted their required audits and cleared their balances in full, seven properties remain in default—owing over $2.5 million in combined unpaid fees and interest through November 10, 2026.
Unless those accounts are settled in full within the 30-day window, the City will sell municipal liens—legal claims against the properties for the unpaid debt—at public auction on December 21 at 10:00am, recovering the owed funds immediately while transferring collection rights to third-party investors. The seven properties scheduled for the December 21 sale are:
- 435-439 Main Street (Waypoint Hackensack Urban Renewal Owner LLC) — $1,300,291.48
- 150-170 Main Street (150-170 Main Street Hackensack Urban Renewal LLC) — $654,215.22
- 100 State Street (Meridia, Metro Urban Renewal, Hackensack, LLC) — $261,720.34
- 50 Main Street (DPB Associates Urban Renewal, LLC) — $148,145.64
- 210-214 Main Street (210 Main Urban Renewal, LLC) — $97,322.29
- 240 Main Street (Meridia on Main Urban Renewal Hackensack, LLC) — $39,925.29
- 22 W. Camden Street (22 W. Camden Street Hackensack Urban Renewal LLC) — $34,085.25
Today’s announcement follows another major enforcement step last month. Following a public hearing on October 20, the City Council adopted Ordinance 20-2026, formally terminating the PILOT agreement for Hecker Holdings Urban Renewal LLC—owner of 77 River Street, home to GOAT Climbing Gym—after the developer failed to submit legally mandated third-party certified audits. Returning that property to Hackensack’s standard property tax rolls is projected to increase its annual tax obligation by more than 55 percent.
“Anyone can hand out a PILOT—that’s the easy part,” Mayor Gaines added. “The hard work is making sure every single dollar owed actually comes through the door, and that is the responsibility this City Council is committed to upholding every day on behalf of Hackensack’s residents and taxpayers.”
For ongoing updates on City Council actions and fiscal oversight initiatives, visit www.hackensack.org.
