A stalled plan to bring a state-of-the-art STEM facility to a vacant plot of Jersey City land is slated for a rebirth as funding is finally in place for the ambitious Liberty Science Center High School.
During their October 21 caucus meeting, the Hudson County Board of Commissioners advanced an ordinance to move the high school forward. It authorizes a lease and development agreement with the Hudson County Improvement Authority for the Liberty Science Center High School Project, which is estimated to cost $73 million.
The work is being financed through the issuance of the County Secured Lease Revenue Bonds of the Hudson County Improvement Authority, and the execution of a lease agreement with the Hudson County Schools of Technology.
“Since Day One as County Executive, I have made opportunity and service the hallmarks of my Administration,” said Hudson County Executive Craig Guy. “In keeping with this, I am elated that today we are taking a crucial step toward making Liberty Science Center High School a reality.”
“I sincerely thank Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop for his role in advancing this important project from the drawing board to its next critical stage,” Guy added. “Liberty Science Center High School and the current HCST campuses will provide a world-class educational experience for the young people of Jersey City and all of Hudson County.
Guy’s office added that the high school will be built under a Project Labor Agreement and is slated to be constructed by union workers.
The funding is good news for the school, which has not commenced construction despite officials actually holding an indoor “groundbreaking” inside Liberty Science Center back in 2023.
Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea has previously shared that after proposals for the construction of the school came back over budget, some redesigns were commenced to reduce the costs. New renderings of any possible changes have thus far not been released.
Liberty Science High School is part of the larger SciTech Scity endeavor, which has been in the works for years at a long-vacant property across from Liberty Science Center. The 500-unit Scholar’s Village is well under construction, but a seven-story, 111,000-square-foot incubation space facility called Edge Works that is also part of the project has seen little to no work performed.
The entirety of the SciTech Scity development spans over 14 acres of land and is set to include new parks, walkways, and greenspace when completed.
