Former Jersey City Power Plant Could Be Classified as Area in Need of Redevelopment

August 27, 2019

Hudson Generating Station Jersey City 2 — Hudson Generating Station, Van Keuren Avenue, Jersey City. Image via NJSEA redevelopment investigation report.

A public hearing in Bergen County today will address the results of a new investigation concerning the possible redevelopment of a former coal-fired power plant in Jersey City.

The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) recently issued a report on the redevelopment potential of the old Hudson Generating Station property along the Hackensack River.

The 117-acre premises, located in a contaminated flood zone at the western edge of the city, were acquired in December 2018. The new owner, the HRP Hudson, LLC affiliate of suburban Chicago-based Hilco Global, took over the property from PSEG after it had been used by two different plants over the course of a century to produce electricity.

The developer acquired PSEG’s former Mercer Generating Station south of Trenton as well with the intent to turn both sites into industrial parks.

Hudson Generating Station Jersey City 1 — Existing zoning map via NJSEA redevelopment investigation report.

The NJSEA’s report, a draft of which has already been released, was reportedly conducted at the request of HRP Hudson, LLC and states that the Jersey City premises do “satisfy the regulatory criteria to be declared an area in need of redevelopment.”

The investigation found that “the site and [the] majority of the structures within the study area can be characterized as being in obsolete and dilapidated condition,” presenting “significant constraints on future development efforts on the property.”

In addition to the former coal plant, switching stations and the Jersey City Police Department’s shooting range occupy part of the site.

The NJSEA’s meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. at One DeKorte Park Plaza in Lyndhurst.

Note to readers: The dates that matters are scheduled to be heard by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and other commissions are subject to change.