West Orange – The West Orange Township Council on Tuesday night approved a plan by the Matrix Development Group to start work on a 12-acre movie studio and sound stage. The project, which would be located near the world’s first film production studio, the Black Maria – now part of the Edison Museum – will commence with a $10 million investment into Downtown West Orange by Matrix Development Group.

In the four-hour council meeting, numerous residents spoke at the podium about the need for the project. In the late hours of Tuesday night, Council voted to pass the development, 3-2. Voting in favor: Council President Bill Rutherford, Councilmembers Tammy Williams and Michelle Casalino. Voting against: Councilmember Asmeret Ghebremichael and Susan Scarpa.

Resident and Council Candidate Doug Adams got up to speak to the Council stating, “we need to take the politics out of this and realize that this is a huge opportunity for West Orange. You have an obligation to do right by West Orange, and this is your time.”

This is one of the few studios in recent months to get approved following numerous other municipalities, which have already approved plans for studio developments. Matrix Development Group is also leading the development of Lions Gate studios in Newark.

Mayor McCartney, who introduced the plan for the movie studio addressed the council, “Council members, the fate of our Township is figuratively and literally before you this evening hinging on your affirmative vote on Resolution 282-24 for the Purchase Agreement for property already approved within the Film Services Overlay District. At this moment, the Township is standing at a transformative threshold with this $10 million dollar investment in our Downtown.”

One of the dissenting voices for the potential development of the movie studio, Councilwoman Ghebremichael said, “I think there are the votes to pass this, but I am still a no…in an effort to remain transparent and consistent.”

This vote comes on the brink of a council election in West Orange in November. Rutherford, Williams, and Casalino are up for re-election, but Rutherford is currently not on the ballot after a judge tossed him for not having enough petition signatures. Running also are Doug Adams, Jonathan Redwine, Joyce Rudin, and former Councilman Joe Krakoviak. Councilmembers Asmeret Ghebremichael and Susan Scarpa, the two dissenting votes, are up for election in 2026.