Paramount Studios, in conjunction with with the state, is looking to open a film studio at another existing warehouse in Bayonne, according to Director of Planning and Zoning Joseph Skillender.
By Dan Israel/Hudson County View
The Bayonne City Council unanimously approved (5-0) an add-on resolution authorizing and directing the planning board to reopen and consider amendments to the redevelopment plan at 69-73 LeFante Way to add film studios as a permitted use last week.
At that meeting, Skillender said that he had received a call from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) earlier that day regarding the zoning change.
“We have some very great news that Paramount Studios is looking to take the old Seahorse warehouse, which is now Link Logistics, and put their first film studio here,” Skillender told the governing body.
He said “they beat 1888 there,” a reference to the other film studio under construction at the foot of the Bayonne Bridge.
In October, Paramount Studios announced that they had signed a 10-year lease with 1888 Studios for the 285,000 square feet of production space at the 1.6 million-square-foot total complex currently under construction by Togus Urban Renewal, LLC at the terminus of Avenue A.
The overall 58-acre facility will include a total of 23 sound stages, more than 1.1 million square feet of production space, outdoor backlot space, flexible post-production space, office spaces, mills, lighting and grip facilities, amenities, and a parking garage, a well as a public waterfront park and promenade.
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) designated the global media company as a studio partner under the state’s Film and Digital Media Tax Credit program the same week.
This signified that “Paramount would be eligible for a 40 percent base tax credit for qualified production expenses on future New Jersey film and television projects,” according to the state.
In 2024, the NJEDA designated 1888 Studios as a film-lease partner facility, which commits the developer to occupy the facility for at least five years and grants future tenants eligibility to apply for increased tax credits for projects filmed at the facility.
The NJEDA also approved 1888 Studios for tax credits under the Aspire Program to support the studio’s construction and development.
According to Skillender, Paramount Studios is still going to open at 1888 Studios, but is also looking to construct additional stages on this site.
“Paramount is still going there, but they’re going to create a couple of stages for it,” he said.
Further, Paramount Studios is looking to do an expedited review at the DCA level of the building permits. He said that the state is “basically taking control” of this project, according to Skillender.
Skillender said that the state is going to review the building permit plans, with the goal of having Paramount in the Peninsula City by July 1st. He added that the project is looking like it will have a quick turnaround.
“With that said, just so there is no inconsistency with it, I think it’s also valuable too that a film studio will be an added use for a warehouse that has been built, while newly constructed, and sitting vacant for over a year,” Skillender said.
The city is looking to conform with the state and to allow a film studio use on the site from a zoning perspective, Skillender reiterated.
He also confirmed to Council President Gary La Pelusa that there would be no data center zoning included as part of any amendment to this redevelopment plan.
2nd Ward Councilwoman Jackie Weimmer sought to do her due diligence in the wake of the data center fiasco earlier in the meeting, questioning about potential negative impacts on the community.
“I don’t think that the addition of a film studio would have any increased traffic than a warehouse, which would have potentially hundreds of employees and trucks going and coming,” Weimmer said.
Skillender did not answer her question so much as tell the council again that the state is spearheading this project.
“Let’s just put it this way. The state is … this is happening regardless whether or not we’re doing this, because we’re just conforming with the state,” he replied.
However, Weimmer still insisted that he answer if there would be any increased pollution or health hazard, to which Skillender said the building is already constructed.
Editor’s note: This story was updated with a recent picture of 69 Lefante Way.
