The northern end of Jersey City’s downtown is starting to become one of the fastest-growing areas in Hudson County and more development that includes a significant mass transit investment could be coming to the neighborhood.
Late last month, a community meeting was held regarding possible zoning changes that are in the works for the area near the city’s border with Hoboken. One of the companies requesting the modifications is East Rutherford-based Lincoln Equities Group, who recently won approvals to build an 880,000-square-foot UPS distribution center along the former Military Ocean Terminal property in Bayonne.
The company’s proposed Jersey City endeavor will differ from that project quite a bit, as they are looking to develop a vacant parcel between Grove Street and Jersey Avenue that abuts tracks for the Hudson Bergen Light Rail. Lincoln Equities’ block of land is directly north of property owned by LeFrak, who have an approved 258-unit project in the pipeline that has yet to break ground.
The Lincoln Equities proposal is dubbed Holland Park and would include two buildings separated by a north-south pedestrian plaza. The potential open space would be tiered and feature retail plus parking facilities, with renderings showing new public restrooms, outdoor café seating, and landscaped areas.
The stairs at the potential plaza would lead to a new elevated Hudson Bergen Light Rail station to be constructed at the developer’s expense that includes pedestrian connections to 18th Street and Grove Street. The existing rails of the system would remain as is, with the station being built south of the trackage.
To facilitate the project, the company is asking for some amendments to the Jersey Avenue Light Rail Redevelopment Plan. Under the changes requested to the High-Rise District that the property falls under, Lincoln Equities would be allowed to construct 800 units within the Holland Park complex and building heights at the property would be capped at 18 stories.
Jersey City’s recently passed Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance would apply to the project as currently pitched, although the exact number of affordable units that could be created within the development is unclear based on the ordinance’s buyout provisions and the community giveback of the proposed light rail station.
Jersey City will be hosting a second meeting on the suggested zoning changes this week and additional modifications could be coming to the neighborhood. An overhaul to facilitate a redevelopment of the Holland Gardens public housing complex is being considered and zoning amendments are also being weighed for a block-long property along 18th Street just north of the Cast Iron Lofts.
The upcoming February 17 meeting will review urban design regulations and development feasibility issues regarding the proposed changes, among other topics. The meeting, which kicks off at 6:30 p.m., will be held digitally on Zoom and those interested in attending can register to do so at this link.
A public comment period will run through February 24 following the meeting and residents can email their remarks to officials regarding the plan. A final presentation of the zoning plan for the neighborhood will be unveiled during a separate meeting to be held on March 10.
