Hudson County Community College is set to begin accepting bids for the construction of an 11-story, 153,186-square foot academic tower in the Journal Square section of Jersey City.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Urban college campuses such as ours require special considerations for students and neighbors in the surrounding community. This new tower will substantially accommodate those needs,” HCCC Chair Board of Trustees Chair William J. Netchert said in a statement.
The mixed-use academic tower will be constructed on an existing, HCCC-owned parking lot located between Enos Place and Jones Street in the heart of Journal Square.
It will replace a handful of the college’s segregated, aging buildings along Sip Avenue from Jones Street to Tonnelle Avenue, and consolidate programs and services provided in those buildings.
Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise said the county has been a partner on the complete development of HCCC and has committed $35 million to help bring this project to fruition.
“We value our ongoing partnership with Hudson County Community College and its continued growth in the many ways it benefits our residents and assists in the County’s economic growth and development,” DeGise added.
“Among my proudest accomplishments over the last 20 years has been the expansion of our College and its facilities.”
HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber said that the new tower facility is the culmination of the HCCC Facilities Master Plan.
“The vision established by our Board of Trustees is for this building to create a central, vertical, technologically advanced urban campus in the heart of Journal Square. The new tower will enhance the overall quality of the academic experience for our students and serve our community in new and exciting ways,” Reber noted.
Situated just a block from the Journal Square PATH Transportation Center, the new academic tower will include 24 state-of-the-art classrooms; expanded spaces for student services; expanded and centralized offices for Continuing Education and Workforce Development (CEWD); and a full-size National College Athletic Association (NCAA) gymnasium and fitness center.
Furthermore, there will be a University Center for sister colleges and partners to offer baccalaureate instruction at HCCC; a new CEWD healthcare lab; exercise science lab; black box theater; student common areas; and administrative offices – among other things.
Additionally, HCCC Vice President for External Affairs and Senior Counsel to the President Nick Chiaravalloti said the new tower will continue the technological progress of the college.
“This building is designed – and will be constructed – for maximum efficiency, and the care, comfort, safety, and benefit of our students and our community.”
In addition to the county’s funding, Netchert said HCCC has applied to the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) for funding from the Higher Education Facilities Trust Fund (HEFT) to cover the CEWD classrooms, health laboratory, offices, as well as learning laboratory and classrooms; Higher Education Technology Infrastructure (HETI) fund for technology infrastructure; and Higher Education Equipment Leasing Fund (ELF) for the Fitness/Wellness Center and Fitness Laboratory.
“We have responded to the most recent OSHE process and submitted applications valued at over $18 million,” added Netchert.
“HCCC has long been one of New Jersey’s best kept secrets. The construction and utilization of this tower will bring visibility to the life-changing benefits of higher education and will be another point of pride for our students and the people of the county.”
Editor’s note: Hudson County Community College is an advertiser on HCV.
