The developer that seeks to build a marina on the southern side of Liberty State Park, which critics have referred to as the “millionaire’s marina,” is hosting a public hearing on the project next week.Â
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“This is an opportunity for people to come and learn about the proposal first-hand,†Suntex Senior Vice President Ron TenEyck said in a statement.
“There has been a lot of misinformation spread about our plan for the southern marina and this is a chance for people to hear exactly what we have proposed.â€
The presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, January 30th at Liberty House restaurant at 10:30 a.m. The event will include a presentation from Suntex officials, current renderings of the proposed marina and a question and answer period.
Along with the marina, Suntex plans to refurbish the dilapidated public boat launch as well as construct a public fishing pier at the park’s south side. Suntex also will update the popular picnic area at the south end, which over the years has fallen into some disrepair.
The marina also aims to be home to City Sail, a sailing school geared toward youth that has taught more than two dozen Jersey City teenagers to sail, a waterfront restaurant and a boat club that will allow members the use of boats for a nominal fee.
“For many years, the state has planned for a marina on the south side of Liberty State Park,†added TenEyck.
“Not only will this marina benefit the boat owners who call Hudson County home, but it will also create several recreational opportunities for visitors to the park.â€
Furthermore, as part of the agreement with the state Department of Environmental Protection, Suntex has agreed to take on the upkeep and repair of the bulkhead at the northern end of the park, where Suntex operates the Liberty Landing arena.
The state had formerly been responsible for the bulkhead. The cost of that upkeep expected to run into the tens of millions of dollars.
Mayor Steven Fulop and his administration, along with advocacy groups such as the Friends of Liberty State Park, have been against the project from Day 1. Early this month, Fulop announced the city had filed a lawsuit to halt the project.
Last week, the mayor tweeted that while a judge ruled the project could move forward, he felt comfortable the marina plan will not advance under Gov. Phil Murphy (D) – who has also spoken out against the concept.
FYI For JC, the judge ruled today the LSP Marina plan COULD move forward but the ruling doesn’t matter to us at this point either way as we got through the Christie Admin + I feel comfortable that the park is no longer at risk. Thank u to all that helped us over the last month
— Steven Fulop (@StevenFulop) January 19, 2018
“We are confident that Suntex Marinas will find clear and unified opposition to the proposed ‘Millionaire’s Marina’ at their first public meeting,” Fulop said in a statement.
“We urge everyone who believes in the preservation of the park’s valuable open space to attend, ask questions, and show Suntex that the southern end of our park is not for sale.”
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with a comment from Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop.
“City Sail, a sailing school geared toward youth that has taught more than two dozen Jersey City teenagers to sail.” Two dozen? Why didn’t you say so before! Of course I’m for wrecking the park for everyone else if two dozen affluent kids took sailing lessons.
Can you explain how this project will wreck the park? It’s not apparent from the story what would be objectionable. Is the objection to any project that includes some privately run amenities or just this one? A sailing school for kids sounds great and my guess is it will teach alot more than a few dozen kids and plenty of them won’t be affluent. It would give many urban kids an opportunity to learn and enjoy something they otherwise wouldn’t get to enjoy.