Jersey City on Wednesday celebrated the groundbreaking of Bayfront Redevelopment Project, — its largest mixed-income community initiative to date. Bayfront Development Partners, a joint venture between Pennrose LLC and Paths, officially broke ground on the first phase in a long-anticipated transformation that will bring the City one step closer to realizing a new mixed-income, environmentally sustainable waterfront community that prioritizes affordability and reflects the needs and aspirations of its residents.
Located on the Hackensack River Waterfront, the six-story Bayfront Promenade building will feature 210 residential units, of which 167 units are set aside for low- and moderate-income households.
It will also offer:
- 74 affordable units designated for low-income families earning 60% or below AMI;
- 93 workforce units designated for moderate-income families earning at or below 120% AMI; and
- 80% affordable and workforce units in total at Bayfront Promenade.
“This is more than just a groundbreaking — it’s a promise kept to our residents to put people before profit and bring much-needed investments beyond the waterfront,” Mayor Steven Fulop said. “When we acquired the Bayfront site from Honeywell, we committed to transforming this once-contaminated land into a vibrant, inclusive, and environmentally resilient community. Today’s groundbreaking represents that bold vision becoming reality.”
“This is a victory for every family that has longed to plant roots here and share in our city’s growth with equity,” Uche Akpa said, a member of the Bayfront Advisory Board and Jersey City Together, two entities that played critical roles in getting to this point. “Today’s groundbreaking is a major moment for Jersey City – a triumph decades in the making. Through tireless organizing and advocacy – first by ICO and now by Jersey City Together – we fought to turn Bayfront into something affordable and just.”
The Bayfront Redevelopment Project was born out of the city’s acquisition of the 100-acre site in 2018.
Under Mayor Fulop’s leadership, the city increased the affordable housing requirement from 5% to 35%, ensuring this once-private development would serve the community’s long-term needs.
Backed by a $170 million investment to purchase and prepare the site, the city prioritized transparency and community engagement — including numerous public meetings and the creation of the Bayfront Advisory Board to center local voices and oversight in the process.
“Today’s groundbreaking is proof that the right leadership, thoughtful planning, and true community partnerships pay off,” said Denise Ridley, Ward A councilwoman and chair of the Bayfront Advisory Board. “This is one of the largest and most important developments in Jersey City, and we made sure to choose a developer who aligns with our community values. I’m especially proud of the community board members who stayed engaged and joined the administration and Council’s mission in keeping the focus on affordability and equity from the start.”
The Bayfront Promenade will also incorporate nearly 10,000 square feet of community facility space and numerous modern amenities, including:
- An expansive outdoor terrace with grilling stations;
- A community lounge and kitchen;
- Co-working/media lounge;
- Fitness and yoga rooms;
- Bicycle storage
“We are proud of this collaboration with our partner, Paths, the JCRA, design team, contractors, and financial partners in support of this visionary effort,” Jacob Fisher, regional vice president at Pennrose said. “Our collective efforts represent the beginning of a one-of-kind redevelopment that will bring new housing, public space, and amenities to the west side of Jersey City, to transform an underutilized site into a true community asset.”
“The leadership and vision of the City of Jersey City for the 100-acre Bayfront redevelopment area is a model for mixed-income communities across the country. We are proud to be a part of this historic project that will bring affordable and workforce housing to Jersey City, and we are grateful for the support of our many public and private partners,” Mat Holladay, president and CEO of Paths said.
“This groundbreaking represents years of hard work, dedication, and a community-centered approach to development,” Council President Joyce Watterman said. “We are setting a new standard in Jersey City by ensuring the Bayfront project delivers on equity, sustainability, and community benefit.”
