The six-story Bayfront Promenade at Kellogg Street and Society Hill Drive North in Jersey City will include 210 apartments, 80 percent of which will be reserved for low- and moderate-income residents. — Renderings/images courtesy: City of Jersey City
By Joshua Burd
A development team has broken ground on the first piece of Jersey City’s long-awaited Bayfront project, a key focal point in the city’s plan to expand its affordable housing stock.
Mayor Steven M. Fulop joined the builders, Pennrose LLC and Paths, along with other public officials on Wednesday to mark the start of construction for the 210-unit project at Kellogg Street and Society Hill Drive North. Importantly, 167 homes will be set aside for low- and moderate-income households, while plans also call for ground-level commercial space and nearly 10,000 square feet of community facility space.
Jersey City acquired the 100-acre Bayfront site, located along the Hackensack River waterfront and just west of Route 440, in 2018 with plans to reclaim the once-contaminated property as a hub for mixed-income housing.
“This is more than just a groundbreaking — it’s a promise kept to our residents to put people before profit and bring much-needed investments beyond the waterfront,” Fulop said. “When we acquired the Bayfront site from Honeywell, we committed to transforming this once-contaminated land into a vibrant, inclusive and environmentally resilient community. Today’s groundbreaking represents that bold vision becoming reality.”
Officials noted that, following its acquisition, the city increased the affordable housing requirement at the property from 5 percent to 35 percent. Backed by a $170 million investment to purchase and prepare the site, the municipality sought to prioritize transparency and community engagement through public meetings and the creation of the Bayfront Advisory Board to center local voices and oversight in the process.
The city said it was also prioritizing environmentally sustainable construction and resiliency with features such as green infrastructure, flood mitigation design and a public waterfront walkway.
“This is a victory for every family that has longed to plant roots here and share in our city’s growth with equity,” said Uche Akpa, a member of the Bayfront Advisory Board and Jersey City Together, two entities that played critical roles in advancing the project. “Today’s groundbreaking is a major moment for Jersey City — a triumph decades in the making. Through tireless organizing and advocacy — first by ICO and now by Jersey City Together — we fought to turn Bayfront into something affordable and just.”
The six-story Bayfront Promenade will include 74 affordable units designated for low-income families earning 60 percent or below the area median income, 93 workforce units designated for moderate-income families earning at or below 120 percent of AMI. The city also detailed plans for amenities such as an expansive outdoor terrace with grilling stations, a community lounge and kitchen, a coworking and media lounge, fitness and yoga rooms and bicycle storage.
“We are proud of this collaboration with our partner, Paths, the (Jersey City Redevelopment Agency), design team, contractors and financial partners in support of this visionary effort,” said Jacob Fisher, regional vice president at Pennrose. “Our collective efforts represent the beginning of a one-of-kind redevelopment that will bring new housing, public space, and amenities to the west side of Jersey City, to transform an underutilized site into a true community asset.”
Denise Ridley, Ward A councilwoman and chair of the Bayfront Advisory Board, added: “Today’s groundbreaking is proof that the right leadership, thoughtful planning, and true community partnerships pay off. This is one of the largest and most important developments in Jersey City, and we made sure to choose a developer who aligns with our community values. I’m especially proud of the community board members who stayed engaged and joined the administration and Council’s mission in keeping the focus on affordability and equity from the start.”
Tuesday’s announcement included comments from several other stakeholders and public officials:
JCRA Director Diana Jeffrey:
“Since acquiring the once contaminated land from Honeywell, we have only strengthened our commitment to delivering not only high-quality, affordable homes but also meaningful community space, sustainable design and long-term value to the Jersey City community.”
Paths CEO and President Mat Holladay:
“The leadership and vision of the City of Jersey City for the 100-acre Bayfront redevelopment area is a model for mixed-income communities across the country. We are proud to be a part of this historic project that will bring affordable and workforce housing to Jersey City, and we are grateful for the support of our many public and private partners.”
Council President Joyce Watterman:
“This groundbreaking represents years of hard work, dedication, and a community-centered approach to development. We are setting a new standard in Jersey City by ensuring the Bayfront project delivers on equity, sustainability and community benefit.”
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