Jersey City development executives joined city officials recently to celebrate the opening of a new farmer’s market along the Hudson waterfront. — Courtesy: Mack-Cali Realty Corp.
By Joshua Burd
Developers have opened a weekly farmer’s market in Jersey City as part of a joint effort to bring new offerings residents and workers along the Hudson waterfront.
The market, located within Mack-Cali Realty Corp.’s Harborside complex, is a product of the newly formed Exchange Place Special Improvement District. The real estate investment trust leads the coalition alongside fellow waterfront owners such as SJP Properties and Hartz Mountain Industries, with the aim of diversifying the area beyond what is largely a daytime business district.
Along with the opening of the new farmer’s market, the group is organizing regular street fairs, art shows and exhibits, a food truck festival and an annual seafood festival in the neighborhood, Mack-Cali said in a news release. It is also implementing capital and public space improvements throughout the area such as informational kiosks, public restrooms, seating along the waterfront walkway, additional Citi Bike stations and Wi-Fi and charging stations.
“Mack-Cali is dedicated to making the district a thriving neighborhood for residents, workers, and visitors alike,” said Mack-Cali CEO Michael J. DeMarco, who serves as president of the special improvement district. “We’re thrilled to be a part of the area’s transformation and look forward to bringing best-in-class amenities like this market throughout the year.”
The new farmer’s market will bring a host of local vendors to an area just outside Harborside 5, including Stony Hill Farms, Gina’s Bakery, Taproot Organics and Pickles & Olives, the news release said. It will be open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Tuesday through Dec. 19.
Executives from the coalition joined city officials on Tuesday to mark the opening of the space.
“Expanding Jersey City’s farmer’s market tradition to Exchange Place continues our efforts to connect local vendors with area residents, providing fresh foods and products for everyone in a convenient, high-traffic area,” Jersey City Mayor Fulop said. “With the addition of the Exchange Place market, there are now farmers markets throughout the city every day of the week now through December. It also advances efforts to support growth at Exchange Place, creating a vibrant waterfront destination for residents, area workers, and visitors alike.”
The jurisdiction of the special improvement district stretches from the southern end of the Exchange Place waterfront to 6th Street. Besides DeMarco, its board leadership consists Christopher DeLorenzo as secretary, Steven Pozycki as vice president, Andrew Marshall as treasurer and Candice Osborne, Andy Siegel and Gus Milano board members.
“As a public and private partnership, the EPASID is deeply committed to revitalizing and transforming Exchange Place into a world-class destination for residents and visitors alike,” said Osborne, a city councilwoman. “At the same time, we will develop this into a real neighborhood for the many Jersey City residents who call Exchange Place home.”
