UPDATE (4/19/16): Lots of new renderings of the project:
UPDATE (2/11/16):
New rendering available of the project:
Previously:
After a long drawn-out saga sparked by chemical leakage, construction at the lot spanning 193-213 Van Vorst Street is finally moving forward. Fields Construction recently began site preparations including pilings to make way for the new project. According to city records, the two phase mixed-use project calls for two new 15 story buildings separated by a public plaza. Combined the project will contain 408 residential units, 252 parking spaces and retail space spanning 14,542 square feet.
Phase I will see the development of 255 residential units, 7,237 square feet of retail and all the parking.
Phase II will add 153 more units and 7,305 square feet of retail.
The site was previously home to the Hart Chemical Products Company. In 2005 the Hudson Reporter published an article detailing the site’s toxic history,
“In February 2003, [Hart Chemical Products] were assessed over $1.8 million in fines by the Jersey City Fire Department after an inspection found hazardous chemicals being stored improperly and other violations. In May 2003, smoke filled the building as the result of a chemical chain reaction, leading to the factory being shut down by Hart Chemical, rather than correcting any violations.”
The building stood vacant after the incident and its owner enter entered into an agreement of sale to sell the site to Fields Development Group under the condition that the owner demolish the building and clean up the chemicals to the DEP’s liking. The seller failed to do so and Fields brought a lawsuit against them.
Fast forward 10 years to 2013, Fields has bought the property, the lawsuit is settled, building is demolished and the chemicals are cleaned up. Fields wins approval to build a 7-story residential building with 122 units and 122 garaged parking spaces on the parcel. However, construction never starts.
In early 2015, a new development plan is submitted and approved by the city. This plan was filed under a different LLC but it appears Fields is still behind it, likely with partners.
No renderings could be found on the project, however we did find a live camera feed from the construction site complete with a time-lapse video of the progress thus far.
After over a decade of drama it’s great to see the project moving forward.
