A plan to revitalize a vacant Jersey City lot between two high-rises could soon be finalized as local officials showed support for proposed zoning changes that would allow a new residential development.
During their February 6 meeting, Jersey City’s planning board voted to recommend amendments to the Liberty Harbor Redevelopment Plan. The new plans were drawn up to facilitate an emerging project at 155 Marin Boulevard, which is sandwiched between the two towers of the Vantage complex.
The 15,300 square foot property was always anticipated to be developed into a hotel, and the current redevelopment plan still calls for that use. The Jersey City Redevelopment Agency (JCRA) transferred ownership of the land in 2008 to an entity called Liberty Harbor North Redevelopment Urban Renewal, who then entered into a franchise agreement with Marriott to build a ground-up hotel in 2014.
That company eventually defaulted under the redevelopment agreement, causing the JCRA to file a lawsuit in 2021 to take back control the land. The property is now owned by a new entity called Liberty Harbor North Partners LLC.
The new owners are seeking to change the allowable zoning from hotel use to residential, as a letter to the planning board claims that a hotel project is not economically viable for the location.
The changes recommended by the planning board would delete the phrase “required hotel” at the parcel from the redevelopment plan and change the allowable building type to a “XL-Class Building.”
The modifications would still keep maximum allowable height at the lot at 320 feet but would allow 32 floors plus a cupola with the new residential use. The developer’s new plan calls for 300 units at the property, which would break down as 84 studios, 128 one-bedrooms, 78 two-bedrooms, and 10 three-bedroom residences.
The new project has been designed by MHS Architecture and several new images were presented to the planning board showcasing the look of the proposed development. The modifications will now head to the City Council for potential approval, which could happen as early as March.
