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The basics:

• Bayfront Promenade in Jersey City will deliver 210 units, 80% affordable or workforce
• City acquired site from Honeywell
• Project includes green space, commercial and community areas
• First phase of 8,000-unit Bayfront redevelopment on West Side

A groundbreaking project in Jersey City celebrated an in-kind milestone this week along the Hackensack River waterfront.

Mayor Steven Fulop, the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency and city council members joined Bayfront Development Partners LLC – a joint venture between Pennrose LLC and Paths – Wednesday to officially start work on the Bayfront Redevelopment Project. The transformation will ultimately bring a large mixed-use and mixed-income community to a remediated industrial site. The project plans ultimately include more than 8,000 residential units.

The first phase, Bayfront Promenade, will rise six stories at the 100-acre site and feature 210 apartments; 167 units are set aside for low- and moderate-income households, according to the city.

“This is more than just a groundbreaking — it’s a promise kept to our residents to put people before profit and bring much-needed investments beyond the waterfront,” Fulop said. “When we acquired the Bayfront site from Honeywell, we committed to transforming this once-contaminated land into a vibrant, inclusive, and environmentally resilient community. Today’s groundbreaking represents that bold vision becoming reality.”

“This is a victory for every family that has longed to plant roots here and share in our city’s growth with equity,” said Uche Akpa, a member of the Bayfront Advisory Board and Jersey City Together. The two entities played critical roles in getting to this point.

Jersey City acquired the Bayfront property in 2018 from Honeywell. The city bonded $170 million to cover that purchase and to build necessary infrastructure at the site. The project has received supporting federal funds. Earlier this year, the work secured Aspire tax credits from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to cover up to 60% of the total project cost, up to $64 million. Aspire-approved residential projects must include at least 20% affordable housing.

Under Fulop’s leadership, Bayfront’s affordable housing requirement went from 5% to its current 35%. According to the city, this increase helps ensure the once-private development will serve the community’s long-term needs. In addition to public meetings and local engagement, the city cited the creation of the Bayfront Advisory Board to center local voices in the process.

Beyond its magnitude, stakeholders highlight the project as a potential catalyst to amplify investment and development in the city’s West Side and South Side areas.

Built to last

Bayfront Promenade will include ground-level commercial space. It will also incorporate nearly 10,000 square feet of community facility space and amenities, such as:

• Expansive outdoor terrace with grilling stations
• Community lounge and kitchen
• Coworking/media lounge
• Fitness and yoga rooms
• Bicycle storage

Bayfront has a focus on environmental sustainability and resiliency. The city noted it features green infrastructure, flood mitigation design and a public waterfront walkway.

Other moves to meet sustainability and durability standards  include

• Green building practices that prioritize energy and water efficiency
• Reduction of urban heat island effects
• The use of resilient materials and infrastructure systems designed for long-term performance

“We are proud of this collaboration with our partner, Paths, the JCRA, design team, contractors, and financial partners in support of this visionary effort,” said Jacob Fisher, regional vice president at Pennrose. “Our collective efforts represent the beginning of a one-of-kind redevelopment that will bring new housing, public space, and amenities to the west side of Jersey City, to transform an underutilized site into a true community asset.”

“The leadership and vision of the City of Jersey City for the 100-acre Bayfront redevelopment area is a model for mixed-income communities across the country,” added Paths President and CEO Mat Holladay. “We are proud to be a part of this historic project that will bring affordable and workforce housing to Jersey City, and we are grateful for the support of our many public and private partners.