The Jersey City Council reviewed a resolution asking the planning board to consider utilizing eminent domain of the Heights University Hospital land after its closure during yesterday’s caucus meeting.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
“The redevelopment process has to start with the City Council authorizing the planning board, which will then obviously authorize us to conduct the study based on state statute … We would make a determination … It’s very regulated,” Planning Director Tanya Marione explained.
“The planning board would review the study, make a decision … This gives us the power to study it with the power of eminent domain.”
Marione also noted she has been in touch with the property owners already.
Jersey City Ward D Councilman Jake Ephros then asked if this would hypothetically be part of the same redevelopment zone.
“Right. They do understand the difference and would be part of the process,” Marione replied.
“During the course of the study … are sales or demolitions permitted?” Ephros asked.
“They can continue on like nothing’s happened,” Marione answered.
Ephros then asked, without saying his name, if Alaris Health owner Avery Eisenreich had sold the HUH land to Hudson Regional Health, the most recent hospital operator.
“As we go further into this process, I’ll get a much better answer on that,” Marione said.
From there, Councilman at-Large Michael Griffin asked if this is the same as condemning the hospital, to which Marione said yes.
“I think that’s important in case of we’re able to find an operator for that property … Will this redevelopment plan be zoned … out to where it’s in need of redevelopment?” Griffin continued, seeking to understand the technical nuances of the process.
“Redevelopment is like that stimulus … it needs a little bit of extra help … It’s just a designation which allows us to give this government intervention recommendation: We can do things like eminent domain,” Marione explained.
Ward E Councilwoman Elena Little also inquired to hear more about the process.
“This is essentially just keeping our options open?” she asked.
“Absolutely,” Marione said before Ephros asked how long the process will take.
“It depends on whether or not we’re going to do it in-house. It will be whether the Planning Division has the staff to do it … It’s an ongoing conversation,” Marione expressed.
Griffin also asked if the area in question, 176 Palisade Ave., is addressed in the Master Plan, to which Marione stated possible redevelopment of the area is mentioned there.
“You can make a Master Plan amendment,” she added.
The Jersey City Council will convene for their regular meeting at City Hall, 280 Grove St., tomorrow at 6 p.m. and the public session will also stream live on Microsoft Teams.
Who’s going to run the hospital? One hospital already threw in the towel. How will we get another? Will it be for-profit or non-profit?
They can’t change the hospital to housing if you do supply them with permits