Bayonne, NJ May 25, 2007 – Representatives from the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority were on hand for the American Planning Association’s 2007 National Planning Conference in Philadelphia this month to discuss the issues surrounding the redevelopment of former United States military bases.

“Challenges and Opportunities of Military Base Redevelopment,” was presented by Jesse Ann Ransom, Planning Project Manager of the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority. Ms. Ransom is a licensed professional planner in the State of New Jersey and also holds a national planning license from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). She was joined on the panel by Andrew W. Raichle of LGA Engineering, Inc. of Lakewood, NJ; John P. Clarke of Clarke Caton & Hintz of Trenton, NJ; and Carmen G. Zappile of the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation and also a member of AICP.

The session compared the redevelopment area at The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor, the former Military Ocean Terminal, with a similar project at The Navy Yard in Philadelphia, which has been named a Keystone Innovation Zone and is led by a partnership between Penn State University, The U.S. Navy, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, the City of Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation. The session at the APA 2007 National Planning Conference discussed the unique aspects of planning and redevelopment for these former defense facilities.

“The groundbreaking redevelopment plans we have for The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor are grabbing the attention of professional planners on a national level, and we were honored to present our work to many of these professionals at the American Planning Association’s conference,” said Nancy Kist, Esq., Executive Director of the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority. “Only a handful of presentations submitted for this prestigious conference are accepted, so we are truly grateful for this experience.”

“Both Bayonne and Philadelphia experienced similar challenges in redeveloping their sites,” Ransom said. “One challenge of being a former defense community is that the land was intentionally isolated, and we’re both trying to connect them with the rest of the community.” Dilapidated infrastructure is another issue both sites are facing, she said.

Both sites have plans that call for mixed-use development, including retail, residential and park space. As for opportunities, Bayonne and Philadelphia are embracing the chance to create new places to accommodate the needs of their respective communities. While Bayonne has entered into the cruise business with the opening of Cape Liberty Cruise Port, Philadelphia’s Navy Yard has become the corporate headquarters of the clothing store Urban Outfitters.

“It is exciting to see our plans flourishing at The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor, and to be able to work alongside our neighbors in Philadelphia, who are turning their former Navy base into a successful development as well,” said Bayonne 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 south side and environmental remediation that was completed in 2005, ahead of schedule. Other projects include the installation of a new sewer system, 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.

In 2006 the BLRA approved plans for development of another district, Harbor Station North, which will consist of mid-rise housing, retail space, and park space adjacent to the 45th Street light rail station. The approval of redeveloper agreements for portions of Bayonne Bay begins the transformation of the third district into a vibrant mixed-use waterfront community. Conditional agreements with other developers for portions of the Landing and Loft Districts signify progress in other districts as well. The Landing will have a water transit docking facility surrounded by a commercial and entertainment area and mid-rise housing, while the Loft District will be converted to hip loft-style housing units adjacent to the ferry landing with spectacular views of New York.

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




 

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