Jersey City Council calls special meeting to hear comment on $180M Bayfront property

The Jersey City Council has called for a special meeting to hear public comment on the acquisition of a $180 million Bayfront property located on the West Side of the city. 

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“We have a grand vision for the future of Jersey City’s West Side, one that is lively, inclusive and affordable to all,” Mayor Steven Fulop said in a statement.

“This is a major investment for our City, and we view it as a rare opportunity to guarantee that this project is done with all of our residents in mind. We are excited to take the next step in this transformational project that will be a model of smart and inclusive development throughout the nation.”

The 95-acre property, currently owned by developer Honeywell, is being earmarked by the city for over 1,400 units of affordable housing.

The site at the center of this week’s meeting has been in flux for the past several years, first going through a major contamination cleanup by Honeywell in the early 2000’s, and then coming to an agreement with the City in 2008 for a large-scale residential development to occupy the land post remediation.

If approved, the City will bond $180 million to purchase the land and built necessary infrastructure, after which they will partner with developers who will construct the mixed-use complex.

One year ago, faith based community group Jersey City Together called on Honeywell and the city to bring housing and jobs to the former pollution site

“When developers look at Bayfront, they see mega-profits and luxury housing. When we look at this land — which we fought for 30 years to clean up — we see an unprecedented opportunity to build a beautiful, inclusive community where Jersey City residents of all incomes can afford to live and raise their families,” the group said in a prepared statement.

“The mayor has put this bold proposal forward as a vehicle for achieving that vision. We have a long road ahead, but the city’s current proposal – the public purchase of and infrastructure investment in the property – is precisely the kind of big and courageous thinking we need.”

The special meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at City Hall, 280 Grove St.