The Borough of Carteret received a $1.9 million grant from the NJ Urban Enterprise Zone Authority (UEZ), bringing the community one step closer to constructing its landmark four-level Carteret Intermodal Ferry Terminal Center.
Mayor Daniel J. Reiman announced the significant award on Monday, noting that the multi-purpose terminal, which has secured over $90 million in federal and state grants overall, is now ready for the next phase of development. Bids for the expected 18- to 24-month construction project are due on Sept. 30th at 1 p.m.
A multi-purpose “game changer”
The four-level terminal building is envisioned as a “multi-purpose, multi-level intermodal terminal building” that will be “unmatched for the tristate area,” according to Mayor Reiman. Each floor and the rooftop will be approximately 13,000 square feet, designed by Potter Architects.
The facility’s plans include a host of amenities:
- A bar, lounge, and restaurant;
- Ticketing and retail space;
- Leasable office space and a banquet hall/training center;
- Possible rooftop amenities offering panoramic views of the Raritan Bay and the New York City skyline.
“We’re very grateful to Gov. Phil Murphy and the Urban Enterprise Zone Authority for this award to help construct our ferry terminal,” Reiman said. “Like so many of these projects that we plan in Carteret, these are game changers. They create jobs, they put people to work and bring significant economic benefits to the community.”
UEZ funds target transportation
The grant leverages new state legislation passed in 2024 that revised the definition of “qualified assistance fund expense” to specifically include transportation infrastructure projects detailed in a Zone Development Plan.
“Carteret’s innovative waterfront redevelopment concepts supported by Urban Enterprise Zone Authority funds are prime examples of how effective public-private partnerships can drive economic growth, transportation improvements, and community revitalization,” DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn Suarez said.
Ferry service and overall progress
The project’s overall goal is to provide reliable, significantly quicker, and more environmentally friendly transportation service to New York City. The initial projection is for two to three stops in Manhattan, with service running three or four times in the morning and evening, respectively.
Completed work to date includes the installation of a 130-foot steel sheet pile bulkhead and significant dredging. Construction on a 700-space parking lot and other on-site work is set to begin in October.
The intermodal terminal will integrate the ferry service with NJ TRANSIT buses, municipal jitneys (connecting to Rahway and Woodbridge train stations), and NJ Rideshare, reducing reliance on automobiles and highway congestion. While the full terminal is expected to open by early 2028 or sooner, Reiman noted that ferry service may be provided earlier through a kiosk on the dock.
The ferry terminal is part of a broader vision to transform Carteret’s industrial waterfront into a popular regional destination, which already features a public park, a marina, a mini golf course, and a new Performing Arts and Events Center.
