Money Will Go Toward Extending Harbor View Park

BAYONNE, NJ August 18, 2006 –The City of Bayonne was awarded a $600,000 matching grant to upgrade and expand Harbor View Park at The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor. The grant will help fund the construction of a new bulkhead along Harbor View Park’s waterfront, which will allow the park to be extended all the way to the river’s edge. It is currently fenced off 50 feet from the shore.

The matching grant is part of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres Program. Lisa P. Jackson, Commissioner of the State Department of Environmental Protection, explained that, “preserving open space and improving and expanding local parks are a crucial component of the state’s efforts to combat urban sprawl and protect our quality of life. We look forward to working with Bayonne City toward the successful completion of this important goal,” she added in her letter to the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority (BLRA).

“This grant goes a long way toward helping us achieve our goal of building a world-class public space for the citizens of Bayonne to enjoy,” said Nancy A. Kist, executive director of the BLRA. “I want to thank Governor Corzine, Commissioner Jackson, the entire Hudson County Legislative Delegation and Mayor Doria for making this a priority,” Kist added.

Once the new bulkhead is in place and the shoreline is stabilized, the BLRA will construct a walkway along the water’s edge giving park visitors access to the panoramic views of lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and upper New York Bay.

“One of the long-term goals of the redevelopment of The Peninsula was to reconnect Bayonne to its waterfront. The acquisition of this grant and the completion of Harbor View Park is a clear step toward the realization of that dream,” said Mayor Joseph V. Doria, Jr.

About the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor

Since the U.S. Army transferred complete ownership of the former military base in 2002, the BLRA has raised more than $50 million in government grants and interim lease payments to make infrastructure improvements needed to attract development. These improvements include new bulkheads along the base’s south side and environmental remediation that was completed last year, ahead of schedule. Other projects include the installation of a new sewer system and planning for a new electrical grid and new roads.

Redevelopment of The Peninsula is organized around the creation of six different, yet integrated districts.

In 2004, Cape Liberty Cruise Port opened, marking the first tangible step in the transformation of the 430-acre site. It resulted in 51 cruise ship calls in its first season and created 300 jobs. Since then, the Cruise Port has grown to become the third-ranking passenger port on the East Coast (after New York and Miami).

Early this year, the BLRA approved plans for development of another district, Harbor Station North, which will consist of mid-rise housing, service retail space, and park space adjacent to the 45th Street light rail station.

The recent approval of a redevelopment agreement with Trammell Crow Residential for a portion of Bayonne Bay will begin the transformation of the third district.

Other districts to be developed include The Landing, which will have a water transit docking facility surrounded by a commercial and entertainment area with shops, stores, a hotel and restaurants as well as a residential section with mid-rise housing; The Loft District, which will be converted to hip loft-style housing units adjacent to the ferry landing with views of lower New York Harbor, the Verrazano Bridge and golf course, and The Maritime Industrial District.

For more information about The Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority, visit www.bayonnenj.org/blra.



 

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