The Liberty Science Center, located at 222 Jersey City Blvd. in Jersey City, is planning a $40 million project that would add more than 100,000 square feet of new outdoor exhibition space while refreshing its indoor offerings. — Images/renderings courtesy: LSC
By Joshua Burd
State officials have pledged their support to a planned expansion of the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City — including more than 100,000 square feet of new outdoor exhibition space — under a $40 million project that would also refresh the museum’s indoor offerings.
The construction, known as Project Supernova, is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2026 and last 30 months after the center won a key approval last week from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The operator is now slated to receive some $39.6 million in tax credits over five years under the new Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion program, covering virtually the full cost of the work at the 300,000-square-foot facility in Liberty State Park.
That includes new outdoor attractions such as:
- Physics-themed mini golf, which would serve as an immersive art piece that communicates physics concepts through play, blending interactive art, design and science
- A river otter habitat and a goat playground and barn meant to engage visitors with an immersive learning experience and to promote wildlife conservation
- 9/11 memorial garden featuring two structural beams salvaged from the World Trade Center site, which will be integrated into the landscape architecture along with educational signage to create an environment of remembrance and reflection
- A master landscaping plan to serve as the foundational design framework that ties together the outdoor experiences to create a cohesive, cultural campus
“This major expansion of LSC is a vibrant fusion of science, ecology and culture, honoring New Jersey’s famous scientific legacy and natural ecosystems,” said Paul Hoffman, CEO and President of Liberty Science Center. “True to the DNA of Liberty Science Center, the project is bold, forward-looking and inclusive, transforming the center into an all-weather campus and world-class tourist destination where learning is fun, hands-on and accessible to all. I am grateful to Governor Murphy and the EDA for embracing this visionary project.”
The project’s indoor renovations include converting a largely unused gallery into a space for high-profile premium exhibitions and upgrades to the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium, the largest and most technologically advanced planetarium in the Western Hemisphere, the EDA said. All of which will be supported by one of the first two awards under the CAFE program.
The authority on Thursday also approved a $65 million tax credit for an expansion and update of the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown.
“New Jersey is home to a thriving arts and culture sector that strengthens our state’s economy and highlights our incredible diversity and talent,” Gov. Phil Murphy said. “The expansion of vibrant cultural institutions like the Liberty Science Center and the Mayo Performing Arts Center will serve as an economic catalyst for communities across the state, increasing quality of life for New Jerseyans and expanding economic opportunities for arts and culture organizations.”
Tim Sullivan, the EDA’s chief executive, added: “Under Governor Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey has supported the creativity and talent of the state’s residents through meaningful investments in the arts and culture sector. Today’s approvals under the NJEDA’s CAFE Program are a significant milestone in our continued efforts to strengthen arts and culture institutions in throughout the state, helping create jobs and strengthen our economic future.”
Located at 222 Jersey City Blvd., the Liberty Science Center serves more than 800,000 visitors annually after opening in 1993, serving as a hub for large-scale art installations, live and media arts performances and on-site cultural events. The EDA noted that the addition of outdoor spaces will create year-round opportunities for residents and visitors while enhancing learning experiences and increasing attendance.
It also comes alongside the development of SciTech Scity, a $450 million expansion that will activate 30 acres of vacant land adjacent to LSC’s existing campus. That will include the 120,000-square-foot Edge Works facility housing laboratories, research and development spaces, office suites, coworking spaces for startups, a tech exhibition gallery and a modern conference center, as well as a new public STEM high school for Hudson County and a 500-unit residential project known as Scholars Village for tech-forward families and individuals.
“With construction now underway on SciTech Scity, Jersey City has become a model for how investment in innovation can transform an entire community,” Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop said. “We’re thankful for this NJEDA funding to make future upgrades at Liberty Science Center, reinforcing our city’s role as a national leader in driving jobs, growth, and opportunity for generations to come.”
LSC will serve as lead development entity for the project, working alongside professionals from Melillo Bauer Carmen, Cambridge Seven, Langan Engineering & Environmental Services, DeSimone Consulting Engineers, Robert Derector Associates and Potomac-Hudson Environmental Inc. The museum has told the authority that it expects the additional visitors to generate increased revenue for local businesses including hotels, restaurants and retailers, while boosting tax revenue for Jersey City.
The project is expected to create both short-term construction jobs and long-term employment opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics education, operations, exhibit maintenance and events.
“Arts and cultural institutions in New Jersey are community pillars, creating jobs for residents, revitalizing main streets and boosting local tax revenues,” NJEDA Deputy CEO Mary Maples said. “The Liberty Science Center and the Mayo Performing Arts Center exemplify the economic impact of arts and cultural facilities, attracting thousands of guests and generating millions of dollars in economic activity. With support from the NJEDA’s CAFE Program, these centers will continue to educate and attract locals and visitors for decades to come.”
Liberty Science Center kicks off $300 million, mixed-use expansion in Jersey City
