Bergen Junction, a new mixed-use workforce housing redevelopment and transit hub, is moving forward. The project will provide housing for individuals beginning their careers in fields vital to the safety, health, and well-being of Bergen County and its residents, and revitalize the NJ Transit Hackensack Bus Transfer.
“Bergen Junction will be a transformative project for Bergen County and will serve as a model for the rest of the country. Through this redevelopment, we are removing one of the most significant barriers discouraging individuals from joining the professions that safeguard our communities. By offering housing to individuals just starting out in these crucial careers, we are not only eliminating that burden but also investing in the future of both our residents and our region,” Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco said.
The site of the proposed redevelopment replaces the former Bergen County probation building, now a vacant lot located at 133 River Street, and the outdated NJ Transit bus terminal currently located on Demarest Place.
The project will feature a five-level mixed-use linear building, a 15-level residential tower, and a newly renovated, covered bus terminal equipped to accommodate NJ TRANSIT’s electrified bus fleet.
Bergen Junction addresses the recent trend in lack of affordable housing and severe hiring challenges being faced by essential sectors. This redevelopment will attract individuals to these highly demanded careers, and incentivize newly hired local public safety workers, such as firefighters, EMTs and police officers, health professionals, such as nurses, and educators to live in the community they serve.
“Bergen Junction represents a tremendous step forward for the City of Hackensack and Bergen County as a whole,” Hackensack Mayor John Labrosse said. “This project not only addresses critical needs like affordable workforce housing and improved transit infrastructure but also aligns perfectly with our vision of making Hackensack a premier destination for living, working, and commuting. We are proud to partner with the County on this transformational initiative that will continue to fuel our city’s growth and revitalization while ensuring opportunities for our residents and veterans.”
The five-level linear building will include two floors of County office space, a two-floor health and wellness center, street-level retail/commercial spaces that will be available for rent, and a parking garage that will provide parking for County employees, Bergen Junction residents, and patrons of downtown Hackensack.
The 15-level residential tower will have a separate street-level entrance with a total of 168 studio and one-to-two-bedroom apartments. Of these units, 158 will be designated as “workforce” units. Ten units will also be designated for veteran housing, of which two units will be dedicated for disabled veterans. This initiative builds upon the Tedesco Administration’s commitment to maintaining a functional zero for veteran homelessness in Bergen County.
Bergen Junction will also include a newly renovated indoor bus terminal designed to accommodate NJ Transit’s electrified bus fleet. The new design will include a covered passenger loading and unloading area, a waiting room, restrooms, and a small area for grab-and-go food. This upgraded terminal design will eliminate the need for buses to stage outside the terminal, effectively decreasing congestion in the area and presenting a new traffic pattern that will improve the flow of vehicles.
“NJ TRANSIT is proud to work with Bergen County on this transformative project, which will bring a state-of-the-art bus terminal into the heart of a forward-looking, mixed-use redevelopment,” NJ Transit Senior Vice President of Surface Transportation and General Manager of Bus Operations, Michael Kilcoyne said. “The addition of facilities designed to accommodate NJ TRANSIT’s ongoing transition to a 100 percent zero-emission bus fleet highlights our commitment to advancing sustainable transportation and improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve.”
In developing this project, the County has worked directly with Deputy Mayor of Hackensack, Kathleen Canestrino, and Director of Economic Development and Redevelopment for the City of Hackensack, Albert Dib. This project aligns with the City of Hackensack’s master plan, which emphasizes high-density redevelopment, environmental conservation, and enhanced economic opportunities.
The County Administration is expecting to break ground on the project later this fall. All renderings including in this release are compliments of Netta Architects, the firm hired to design the project.
Bergen Junction’s workforce units are intended as temporary placements. Participants will be chosen based on income requirements and a lottery system. Tenants will be eligible to remain in the unit until a designated income threshold is attained, at which point, the renter will be able to enter a market-rate unit or even purchase a home.
As a multimodal transportation hub, Bergen Junction will generate substantial collective revenue from leased office and retail space, workforce housing units, and an NJ TRANSIT lease, while promoting workforce retention, improving safety, providing for our veterans, and contributing to the continued renaissance and revitalization of the City of Hackensack and our County seat.