One of the most prominent developers in Jersey City’s history has been given the green light for their latest project that will add a new private school, retail space, and extend a roadway in the neighborhood.
During their July 23 meeting, Jersey City’s Planning Board approved a proposal to revitalize a surface parking lot at 250 Morris Boulevard. The property, which spans the entire block, is owned by Liberty Harbor and the Moccos, who have developed much of the area.
The parcel sits between Grove Street and Tidewater Street across from Morris Square Park and as part of the work, the developers will extend Morris Boulevard to connect to both Tidewater and Grove Streets. The road currently exists on maps but in name only, as vehicles are not permitted to drive on it.
In terms of the development itself, the plans were drawn up by Hoboken-based MHS Architecture. The project is set to rise just over 196 feet at the apex and would activate the streetscape with several ground-floor tenants.
The first component of the street level in the development is a two-story educational space spanning 12,000 square feet, which was revealed during Planning Board testimony as the future home of a Montessori School. That storefront will face Regent Street, while a separate retail storefront will be featured on Grove Street across from Morris Square Park.
The 300 units in the future complex break down as 60 studios, 182 one-bedrooms, and 58 two-bedroom spaces. No affordable housing component is included in the plan, as none is required under current zoning.
A total of 150 parking spaces will be provided in the project, but only 18 of those will be featured on site. The developers plan to utilize available parking in other buildings in Liberty Harbor to supplement the requirements and on-street spaces that will be created along the Morris Street extension.
In terms of amenities, the building will have boatloads. The second floor will feature over 6,000 square feet of perks, while the third floor will include a covered courtyard plus a pool facility. A regulation basketball court will call the fourth floor home.
The plans for 250 Morris Boulevard additionally include a large amenity roof deck with an outdoor fitness area, putting green, and a lounge area. The roof will sport a 3,400-square-foot indoor component as well.
The exterior of the project is set to utilize a curtain wall system with a cast stone veneer on portions of the lower floors. The project was granted variances by the board related to parking space configuration, balcony depth, and sidewalk width along the future extension of Morris Boulevard, which will back up right next to the trackage for the Hudson Bergen Light Rail.
Attorneys for the developers told the board that they hope to begin construction on 250 Morris Boulevard sometime during the first half of 2025.
