The Jersey City Planning Board on Tuesday night unanimously approved the move forward on constructing the first of six buildings of Bayfront Development, the largest mixed-income community of this size in the country, according to a Wednesday announcement from Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop.
The vote was 7-0.
The project follows the unanimous approval from the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency board in July, as well as the Bayfront Community Advisory Committee, a seven-member committee comprised of Fulop, a representative from JC Together, Ward A Councilwoman Denise Ridley, Ward B Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey, a representative from Society Hill and two additional community members.
The first Bayfront building would be six stories, and includes 35% affordable housing units for low- and moderate-income households. Under Fulop’s leadership, the Bayfront Redevelopment Project is to be developed by Bayfront Development Partners LLC, a joint venture between industry-leading developers Pennrose LLC and Omni America LLC. It serves as a forward-thinking model for mixed-income development in urban areas throughout the U.S.
Shovels can hit the ground anytime to begin construction on the first building, which will consist of 210 residential units, 52 parking spaces, 143 bicycle parking spaces and 12,410 square feet of multifunctional retail space.
“When we pushed to increase on-site affordable housing requirements from 5% to 35%, we were told it couldn’t be done. Clearly, our persistence is paying off, as this first building with 35% affordable housing sets a precedent for the entire Bayfront project,” Fulop said. “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.”
The first building also will include various community-driven amenities, including green infrastructure, flood mitigation and a public walkway along the Hackensack River Waterfront.
Pennrose LLC and Omni America LLC also will incorporate sustainable and green building practices to achieve Enterprise Green Communities and Energy Star certification while using LEED measures, certifying the development of quality affordable housing and making for a healthier, socially responsible and sustainable place for hundreds of families to live.
The Bayfront Promenade building also will house nearly 10,000 square feet of community facility space and a wide array of amenities, such as an expansive outdoor terrace with grilling stations, a community lounge with a kitchen, a coworking lounge/media room, a fitness center, yoga room, a dog wash and bike storage.
The city acquired the 100-acre Bayfront property from Honeywell Corp. in 2018, intending to increase the on-site affordable housing requirements from 5%, as was previously stipulated in the redevelopment plan, to a new goal of 35%, with the city controlling the property. The agreement, passed by the city council, bonded $170 million to purchase the land and build the necessary infrastructure on the property.
