The first phase of the 100-acre Bayfront project in Jersey City is slated to include 209 apartments, 35 percent of which will be for lower-income renters. — Courtesy: Jersey City
By Joshua Burd
Developers will soon break ground on a 210-unit apartment building in Jersey City that will kick off the long-awaited, 100-acre Bayfront project just west of Route 440.
City officials this week announced that Bayfront Development Partners LLC, a joint venture between Pennrose LLC and Omni America LLC, has secured planning board approval by a unanimous vote. That paves the way for the team to begin construction in 2023, under a project that will come with 52 parking spaces, 143 bicycle parking spaces and 12,410 square feet of multifunctional retail space.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop also noted that 35 percent of the apartments will be reserved for low- and moderate-income households, reflecting a long-held goal for the development, which “sets a precedent for the entire Bayfront project.”
“We are making strides to bring this groundbreaking vision to reality, maximizing the opportunity to build a premier residential and retail waterfront area that best serves the residents of Jersey City by prioritizing affordability, jobs for residents, quality public spaces and attracting interest and investment to the south and west areas of Jersey City,” Fulop said.
Within the six-story building, 74 affordable units will be set aside for households earning 60 percent and below the area median income, according to a news release. Additionally, the first building will include community-driven amenities such as green infrastructure, flood mitigation and a public walkway along the Hackensack River waterfront.
Pennrose and Omni America will also incorporate sustainable and green building practices to achieve Enterprise Green Communities and Energy Star certification, while using measures under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. What’s more, the Bayfront Promenade building will house nearly 10,000 square feet of community facility space and amenities such as an outdoor terrace with grilling stations, a community lounge with a kitchen, a co-working lounge and media room, a fitness center, a yoga room, a dog wash and bike storage.
“We have made incredible progress towards transforming this once contaminated site into a waterfront sanctuary for the public to enjoy while expanding quality affordable housing for our residents today and for decades to come,” said Tanya Marione, director of the Jersey City Division of Planning.
The city acquired the 100-acre Bayfront property from Honeywell Corp. in 2018, intending to increase the on-site affordable housing requirements from 5 percent, as was previously stipulated in the redevelopment plan, to a new goal of 35 percent. The agreement, passed by the city council, bonded $170 million to purchase the land and build the necessary infrastructure on the property.
The city in spring 2020 announced its development team for the first phase, following a rigorous, multiyear-long process, giving way to the 7-0 approval by the planning board.
Jersey City approves redevelopment, affordable housing pact for first phase of Bayfront