Jersey City has received a $1.6 million grant from the federal government to help with its Bayfront Redevelopment Project, a 100-acre mixed-income multifamily community intended to bring urban renewal and economic development to the city’s West Side.
The award, announced by Mayor Steve Fulop and the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency, comes through congressionally directed funding and is essential for the project. The transformation of the vacant 100-acre site will provide the most affordable housing of any private mixed-use, mixed-income community of its size in the country and catalyze redevelopment along the Hackensack River waterfront.
Fulop said the grant was secured through the concerted efforts of Jersey City’s congressional delegation and underscores the federal government’s commitment to supporting local initiatives aimed at urban renewal and economic development.
“Thanks to our federal partners for recognizing the importance of the Bayfront Redevelopment Project and the tremendous promise this revitalization holds for Jersey City, bringing new economic opportunities, creating jobs and providing much-needed affordable housing options for residents,” he said.
With the Fulop administration’s stringent affordable housing requirements throughout the entire project, 35% of all units built are set aside for low- and moderate-income households.
At the site, construction on initial infrastructure is underway, such as building roadways and installing underground piping. The premier residential and retail waterfront area is designed to best serve Jersey City residents by prioritizing affordability, jobs for residents, quality public spaces and attracting interest and investment to the south and west areas of Jersey City.
“Once the bill is signed into law, we will work with our federal partners to dedicate the Bayfront funding as we move forward with construction,” JCRA Executive Director Diana Jeffrey said. “The Bayfront Promenade is the first building and consists of 210 residential units, of which 74 units are affordable housing.”
The first phase of construction at Bayfront also includes various community-driven amenities, including green infrastructure, flood mitigation, vehicle and bike parking, a public walkway along the Hackensack River Waterfront and over 11,000 square feet of multifunctional retail space for use by residents and the broader public.
U.S. Rep. Donald Payne (D-10th Dist.) said he was thrilled to be able to help.
“I am proud to secure this $1.6 million in federal funding for the Bayfront Redevelopment because I know this project is important to Jersey City’s future,” he said. “I am a strong supporter of affordable housing bills and projects in Congress, especially in urban areas.
“The Bayfront Redevelopment will create good-paying union jobs and help public schools with a portion of the tax revenue generated from the project. It is going to benefit the area significantly, and I look forward to working with Mayor Fulop to secure more funding for future projects in Jersey City.”
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) agreed.
“Investments like this are critical to keeping Jersey City and our high-cost urban areas affordable for everyone,” he said. “This project will provide affordable housing within a mixed-income development at a scale that could be a model for cities across the nation.”
