A rendering of the new Coles Street Park on Jersey City — Courtesy: Manhattan Building Co.
By Joshua Burd
Developers and local officials have broken ground on a new $2 million park in Jersey City that will look to be a focal point for an emerging residential neighborhood.
The green space, which is being funded and built by Manhattan Building Co., is coming to a stretch of Coles Street between 16th and 18th streets that is now home to hundreds of luxury apartments across several new buildings. Plans for the park include a stage for live music and other events, an enclosed playground, two separate dog runs and open spaces with landscaping and decorative lighting.
Slated for completion next year, the Coles Street Park will span about an acre and a half.
“We have been committed to expanding the Jersey City parks and this is another step in that direction,” Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said in a prepared statement. “Since we took office we have consistently said that there were many things that needed to change in Jersey City to lift the city to the next level including affordable housing, more investments away from the waterfront, better schools, safer streets and more parks. We are making progress on all fronts.”
The area’s new residential development, led by Manhattan Building Co., has transformed what had been a tired, industrial section of Jersey City just south of Hoboken and west of the Holland Tunnel. The firm has delivered nearly 800 apartments since 2013 and has another 350 under construction, while it’s now developing the park as part of a community benefit agreement with the Jersey City Redevelopment Authority.
Jersey City will assume ownership of the park upon its completion.
“We are extremely excited to commence the construction of Coles Street Park,” said Sandy Weiss, Manhattan Building Co.’s founder and president. “This park is exactly what the residents of the neighborhood need and deserve. We are grateful to have a forward-thinking administration that recognizes the need for preservation of open space, especially in an urban setting.”
With new community on the rise, Weiss has his eye on another large Jersey City redevelopment
