The Jersey City Council will ask the planning board to consider utilizing eminent domain of Heights University Hospital land at Wednesday’s meeting.
“The Heights community deserves access to quality healthcare, and it’s our responsibility to explore every legal tool available to make that happen. This is the beginning of a process, not the end, but it’s an important beginning,” Mayor James Solomon said in a statement.
The resolution does not make any final determination about the site’s future.
What it does do is initiate a formal investigation and public hearing process through the planning board, which will assess whether the properties meet the legal criteria under New Jersey’s Local Redevelopment and Housing Law for redevelopment designation.
“When Christ Hospital closed, it left a real void for families in the Heights who depended on it. This resolution is about making sure our community has a seat at the table as we figure out what comes next for that site,” added Ward D Councilman Jake Ephros.
“Our residents have been through enough. Taking this step means we’re serious about fighting for healthcare access in this neighborhood, and we’re using every tool the law gives us to do it,” noted Ward C Councilman Tom Zuppa.
Heights University Hospital, operated by Secaucus-based Hudson Regional Health, closed one week ago after they declared $104 million in losses since acquiring the facility from CarePoint Health via bankruptcy in April.
If the planning board determines the site meets the legal criteria, it will make a recommendation to the council, which would then decide whether to formally designate the area for redevelopment.
A public hearing will be held as part of the planning board’s investigation, giving residents the opportunity to weigh in.
The situation is complicated by the fact that the hospital land is owned by Alaris Health owner Avery Eisenreich, not HRH.
This effort comes after a “Hail Mary” court injunction by the City of Jersey City and two people, including a council aide, were arrested in the midst of a “die-in” organized by the North New Jersey Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), both as HCV first reported.