The eastern edges of Bergen-Lafayette have been transforming before our eyes in recent years and a Hackensack-based developer is looking to add to the evolving landscape with a new mixed-used project not far from mass transit.
During their September 14 meeting today, Jersey City’s planning board will hear an application from Whiton Property LLC. The company owns a vacant parcel at 341 Johnston Avenue and Whiton Street and is looking to revitalize it with a modern development designed by New York-based GRO Architects.
The latest proposal is scaled back from an initial eight-story plan that was submitted for the property last year. The revamp has removed two floors from the potential development and would rise six stories as an elevator building that includes 35 residential units, five of which would be set aside as affordable housing.
10 off-street parking spaces would be included in the development and a retail space spanning 853 square feet would be situated at the corner of Johnston Avenue and Whiton Street under the proposal. Potential amenities at the development include a 338-square-foot multi-purpose room and a 2,300-square-foot roof deck for residents.
An underground water detention system would be included in the possible development, which would utilize a combination of grey brick, metal, and cement stucco components on the exterior. The property falls within the Lafayette Park Redevelopment Plan and is seeking variances related to off-street parking and maximum building height.
This stretch of Bergen-Lafayette, located just west of Liberty State Park, has seen developments like Garabrant, Solaris Lofts, and others alter what was a post-industrial landscape. The neighborhood’s rebirth led to the area’s first proper high rise at 262 Johnston Avenue gaining approval earlier this year.
The latest proposal is across the street from another approved development at 342 Johnston Avenue and just steps from a site where a new library branch is being proposed inside the 295J complex.
The plans for 341 Johnston Avenue are scheduled to be heard by the city’s planning board later tonight during a meeting that begins at 5:30 p.m. It will be held virtually on Zoom and can be accessed via this link.
