A redevelopment plan that will transform an industrial section of the Hackensack River just got the final OK from local officials. The 421-unit mixed use project, which will generate an estimated $60 million in revenue over the next 30 years, will break ground early next year.
The property in question is at 238 West Fort Lee Road in Bogota, a small town of about 8,000 people in Bergen county right next to Hackensack. The land was used by Hess Corporation as a fuel tank farm for many years before they sold the 14-acre property to River Development LLC back in 2014. The group quickly got to work remediating the land, which saw them remove 17 oil tanks that were left behind by the gasoline giant.
Bogota’s Council approved a redevelopment plan for the site last year, after which River Development worked with CI-Design to draw up The River Club. The $100-million project will construct 421 rental apartments of varying sizes in a gated community, which will include 800 parking spaces and a 2,200-foot Riverwalk promenade along the Hackensack River.
The apartments in The River Club will be spread out between six different low-rise buildings all either four or five stories tall. 10% of the units in the complex will be designated as affordable housing, while the remainder will be market rate. The county will also be widening and reconfiguring West Fort Lee Road to make room for the new residents.
The building in The River Club that abuts West Fort Lee Road will have a retail component as part of the deal and amenities at the venture will include a two-story clubhouse, a community pool, a dog park, outdoor plazas and a guard house.
The property’s unique location presented some challenges during the planning process. River Development will be adding an entire sewer system along the land, as it currently does not have any plumbing whatsoever. They will also build a new pump station at the property.
B&R Engineering is providing plumbing, engineering design and consulting services for the residential apartment buildings, as well as for the clubhouse and pool. Borough officials had previously asked River Development to elevate a parking lot at the property that is prone to flooding when it rains, but they instead will provide warning signs and a vehicle-relocation plan.
Bogota’s Planning Board approved the project by a 7-2 vote during a special meeting, although Mayor Chris Kelemen voted against the development due to the aforementioned flooding concerns. The approval clears the way for Phase One of the project to begin construction, which will include two buildings totaling 194 units, the pool, clubhouse, and river walk components of the project. River Development estimates it will take about 2-3 years to complete the build out.
The area around the future River Club has some nice amenities that could potentially create a very walkable environment. Both Oscar Olsen Park and Hackensack’s Main Street are within walking distance and the century-old Court Street Bridge that borders the property underwent a $19 million renovation back in 2012.
