A greenspace in Downtown Jersey City that shuttered earlier this year due to unstable ground has taken a step toward securing needed repairs, as an investigation will soon begin to determine a fix for the park.
During their May meeting, the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency (JCRA) approved a contract to facilitate repairs at Coles Park. The 1.5-acre space, which opened in 2021, includes an enclosed playground, two separate dog runs, and open areas featuring various landscaping and decorative lighting.
The parcel is now owned by Jersey City, but was built by Manhattan Building Company as a developer giveback on land acquired as part of the approval process for the upcoming 305 Coles Street development. But the park unfortunately experienced a “destabilization event” in the northern area, forcing it to close back in March.
In response, the JCRA passed two resolutions to address the issues. They awarded a pair of contracts for $59,910 and $48,000 to Langan Engineering and Environmental Services for work on an “as needed basis.”
The professional engineers will soon start assessing the conditions and advise on remediation work. Both resolutions regarding the contracts were exempt from public bidding, per language in the documents.
A spokesperson for Jersey City says that once the assessment is completed, officials should have a clearer timeline as to when the park might reopen.
The park is situated in a busy area that has become one of the city’s fastest-growing. The recently completed third phase of the 829-unit Hudson House across from the park opened just a few months ago, and the 670-unit 286 Coles development is under construction across the street.
The aforementioned 305 Coles development is also under construction and will front Coles Park, adding 511 residential units and multiple retail spaces facing the greenery.
