The New Jersey Economic Development Authority Board approved more than $104.8 million in tax credits under the Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion (CAFE) Program to support expansions and renovations of the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City and the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, two iconic cultural destinations in New Jersey.
The projects, which are receiving the first awards under the CAFE Program, will upgrade existing spaces and add new experiences for guests, increasing attendance, generating revenue for local businesses, and bolstering the state’s arts and cultural sector.
The Liberty Science Center is located in Liberty State Park, Jersey City. It is a 300,000-square-foot interactive museum that serves more than 800,000 visitors annually. The renovation, known as Project Supernova, will add more than 100,000 square feet of outdoor exhibition space and rehabilitate the center’s current exhibitions, including the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium. New immersive science exhibits and cultural experiences in the outdoor sections will transform the Liberty Science Center into an all-weather destination.
“New Jersey has supported the creativity and talent of the state’s residents through meaningful investments in the arts and culture sector,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Today’s approvals under the NJEDA’s CAFE Program are a significant milestone in our continued efforts to strengthen arts and culture institutions throughout the state, helping create jobs and strengthen our economic future.”
The Liberty Science Center was approved for an award of 100% of eligible project costs, not to exceed $39.8 million.
“This major expansion of LSC is a vibrant fusion of science, ecology, and culture, honoring New Jersey’s famous scientific legacy and natural ecosystems,” said President and CEO of Liberty Science Center Paul Hoffman. “True to the DNA of Liberty Science Center, the project is bold, forward-looking, and inclusive, transforming the Center into an all-weather campus and world-class tourist destination where learning is fun, hands-on and accessible to all.”
The Mayo Performing Arts Center operates a historic 1,300-seat venue and has served as a cultural institution in Morristown for more than 30 years, generating more than $18 million to the local economy and attracting more than 240,000 patrons annually.
The project will add more than 31,000 square feet of new construction, including an arts and education center, artist spaces, and studios, renovate more than 16,000 square feet of existing spaces, and restore the 46,000-square-foot historic theater auditorium. New spaces and upgrades to the property will expand the center’s performing arts school and update its artistic offerings.
The Mayo Performing Arts Center was also approved for an award of 100% of eligible project costs, not to exceed $65 million.
“Since it began as a single screen movie theatre in 1937, to its current standing as one of the top 50 performing arts centers worldwide, MPAC has been at the heart of arts and entertainment in the North Jersey region,” said Allison Larena, president and CEO, Mayo Performing Arts Center. “The awarding of $65 million in CAFE tax credits is a transformational opportunity for MPAC’s next phase in our evolution and further elevates Morristown as a premier arts destination in our state.
The CAFE Program aims to increase cultural arts activities across the state, attract visitors, boost engagement with the arts in underserved communities, and revitalize downtowns by providing tax credits to build or renovate facilities, including aquariums, historical societies, libraries, galleries, and museums. Eligible awardees can receive tax credits covering 100% of eligible project costs, up to $75 million.
