Jersey City officials broke ground on Phase I of the long awaited Bayfront project, where 35 percent of the 210 residential units of the promenade building will be affordable and another 45 percent for workforce housing.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
Overall, there are 8,400 units planned for the entire development complex, with the 35 percent of units remaining affordable throughout.
Cleaning the site and arranging the financing with the Hudson County Improvement Authority (HCIA) and the NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) took time, as it took over two decades to get to the construction phase.
“It speaks to a lot of what we have learned about the development on the Hudson River. When that started, there was no development in Jersey City,” Fulop, a Democratic candidate for governor, explained.
“We focused on market-rate housing. If we could go back, we probably would do it a little differently, recognizing the opportunity there. We were fortunate to have a second opportunity here on the other side of Jersey City.”
Ward A Councilwoman Denise Ridley, who has made the Bayfront project a big part of her re-election campaign, received cheer when she declared “It is happening!”
“ … Change takes time. Collaboration between government and community makes things work much better,” she added.
The Jersey City Council approved $170 million in bonding back in October 2018 and voted in favor of a 30-year payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) in September 2023.
“This has been a 20-year-plus project. It was originally a superfund site. It was really toxic … Kids used to play football on the site,” Fulop explained.
He explained that Jersey City Together sued Honeywell and was awarded $400 million to remediate the site.
Additionally, former U.S. Senator Bob Torricelli helped the project as an arbitrator appointed by the court.
During the press conference, he noted that this is a unique site that could become a statewide model for cleaning up sites and building affordable housing.
Toricelli also praised U.S. District Court Judge Dennis Kavanaugh for making a landmark decision that forced Honeywell to clean the site.
“This was not Honeywell’s fault. They bought this property. More material left this site for Idaho and Wyoming than came out of the World Trade Center. This site might be the cleanest dirt in Hudson County!” he declared.
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy thanked the HCIA and NJ Home Finance Agency (NJHMFA) for provided financial assistance, as well as Gov. Phil Murphy (D) for his support.
“It took a lot, a lot, a lot of effort, and a lot of steps to get where we are today. It’s an amazing accomplishment. We also appreciate that it’s gonna be 100 percent with union labor,” noted Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), a mayoral candidate.
“This will be built with union labor. We’re going to make sure Jersey City residents are on this project,” Hudson County Building Trades Council President Patrick Kelleher declared.
“We are reimagining affordable housing, workforce housing as well as luxury housing. These are tears of joy we are standing under,” state Senator Angela McKnight (D-31) joked about the rainy conditions.
“It really is one of the most significant days in Jersey City’s history,” Fulop exclaimed.
He again credited Jersey City Together for putting pressure on both the administration and the council to make this vision a reality.
“This is a victory for every family that has longed to plant roots here and share in our city’s growth with equity,” Uche Akpa, a member of the Bayfront Advisory Board and Jersey City Together, said in a statement after the event.
“Today’s groundbreaking is a major moment for Jersey City – a triumph decades in the making. Through tireless organizing and advocacy – first by ICO and now by Jersey City Together – we fought to turn Bayfront into something affordable and just.”
Additionally, the Bayfront Promenade will incorporate nearly 10,000 square feet of community facility space and an outdoor grilling station, a community lounge and kitchen, a fitness room, and bike storage.
Phase I is tentatively scheduled to be completed by summer 2027, about a year-and-a-half into the next administration.
Bayfront Development Partners was chosen through request for Proposal (RFP) process conducted by the JCRA and the Bayfront Advisory Board.
“We are proud of this collaboration with our partner, Paths, the [Jersey City Redevelopment Agency], design team, contractors, and financial partners in support of this visionary effort,” Pennrose Regional Vice President Jacob Fisher added in a statement.
“Our collective efforts represent the beginning of a one-of-kind redevelopment that will bring new housing, public space, and amenities to the west side of Jersey City, to transform an underutilized site into a true community asset.”
