Liberty Science Center sets groundbreaking for SciTech Scity

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Liberty Science Center will break ground on the $300 million first phase of SciTech Scity on Oct. 22—the 30-acre “City of Tomorrow” innovation campus that aims to launch and grow world-changing science and technology companies and reimagine public school science education.

With the New York City skyline and Statue of Liberty as a backdrop, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Hudson County Executive Thomas DeGise, Liberty Science Center Co-Chair Stephen Howe and Vice Chair Laura Overdeck will join Liberty Science Center President and CEO Paul Hoffman in donning hard hats and wielding shovels for the ceremonial groundbreaking.

“SciTech Scity is unique,” said Hoffman. “It’s what we’re calling a business optimizer, a new breed of innovation center that maximizes commercial success and social impact. Our goal is to convene experts from multiple disciplines and harness science and technology to solve social problems and turn leading-edge ideas into a reality that makes the world a radically better place. We also want to create the best science high school in the United States, for students in Hudson County. We’re honored that Gov. Murphy, Mayor Fulop, and Hudson County Executive DeGise support this vision, and we thank them in advance for their participation in the groundbreaking.”

Phase I of SciTech Scity is scheduled to open in late 2023 and 2024 and will comprise $300 million in new construction on 12.5 acres of land donated by the city of Jersey City.

SciTech Scity is unique. It’s what we’re calling a business optimizer, a new breed of innovation center that maximizes commercial success and social impact.

– Paul Hoffman, president and CEO, Liberty Science Center

“As we break ground on SciTech Scity, we are entering a new era for Jersey City. One that fosters collaborative innovation on a level that has never been done before to create a coveted science-based public education for our local youth as part of an all-encompassing progressive campus where entrepreneurs and scientists can thrive,” said Fulop. “We’re in the midst of an incredible transformation as we further establish Jersey City as the sought-after destination for STEM education and innovation attracting world-class companies, jobs, investment, and countless other opportunities. I’m incredibly proud to be a part of this groundbreaking moment.”

Subsequent phases of SciTech Scity may include expanded incubation spaces, wet labs, additional schools, a satellite campus of a major university, or other facilities to drive STEM innovation and job creation.

The existing Liberty Science Center and the new SciTech Scity construction will span 30 acres and be called the Frank J. Guarini Innovation Campus, named for the former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, New Jersey state senator, real estate developer and philanthropist from Jersey City who made a $10 million gift to LSC toward the creation of Edge Works. That gift  – the largest received to date by the Center – was matched 50 cents on the dollar by a $5 million pledge from Barry.

Edge Works is the eight-story business incubation hub of SciTech Scity, consisting of the 40,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art conference center Co-Creation Center and bleeding-edge tech exhibition gallery.

Four companies so far – EY, Verizon, Bank of America and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey – have signed on as Corporate Founding Sponsors and made seven-figure contributions. In all, $42 million has been raised for Edge Works, with the remaining funding expected to come from financing and government sources.