North Bergen commissioners approve $13.5M bond for new community center and library

The North Bergen Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance on Wednesday allowing the township to execute a $13.5 million bond to build a new community center and library.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

The new facility will be located at the intersection 13th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard and will include an expanded Downtown Library space, recreation facilities, community rooms, among other amenities.

The project is expected to go out to bid in the coming months and break ground this Spring.

“Our team is always working to improve our community and offer even better services to residents, and this project will be an incredibly exciting new addition to North Bergen,” state Senator (D-32)/North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco said in a statement.

“This is sorely needed in the Downtown area and we believe that it will benefit residents for decades to come once it is completed.”

The NBCC&L will consist of five floors with two levels of garage parking, which will preserve street parking for neighboring residents.

Additionally, the library floor will replace the current North Bergen Public Library Kennedy Branch and allow for even more community programs and services with a computer lab, classrooms, study areas and multi-purpose community rooms.

Above the Library will be a Fitness Center including an indoor basketball court with six hoops, fitness classrooms and an outdoor exercise area. Finally, the facility will be topped by a rooftop recreational field that will be used for soccer, football and other activities.

“NBCC&L will allow our Recreation Department to continue expanding and offering new and exciting programs to North Bergen children, keeping them active and engaged all year round,” added Parks and Recreation Commissioner Hugo Cabrera.

The $13.5 Million cost of the project is expected to be defrayed by federal, state and county grants that the township will be applying for, and the bond ordinance was crafted so that the amount approved can be adjusted once grants are secured.

North Bergen’s bond rating was recently upgraded by Moody’s to Aa2, which will result in significantly lower interest costs for taxpayers.