Last night the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority (BLRA) Board of Commissioners acknowledged receipt of a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers that will allow the BLRA to build a ferry terminal and fishing pier on the south side of The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor. The permit will also allow the BLRA to replace or rehabilitate 3,277 feet of bulkhead on the south side of The Peninsula. The BLRA had previously received permission from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for these projects. The ferry terminal and fishing pier are both located in the Landing District, one of six redevelopment zones on The Peninsula. The 25-acre Landing District is earmarked for a mix of residential, retail and commercial space, along with restaurants and a hotel.

The BLRA received a $300,000 grant from the Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund that will help fund the construction of the fishing pier. In addition, the BLRA will receive up to $2.2 million in grant money from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Coastal Engineering toward bulkhead work covered by this permit.

Officials affiliated with both the BLRA and the city hailed the measure as a positive step toward fulfilling the master plan for The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor. "The ferry terminal has always been an integral part of our plan for The Peninsula," said Mayor Terrence Malloy. "We're hoping to fast-track this project to ensure that ferry service begins as soon as possible. This is an important step that will provide convenience to Bayonne residents and bring economic development to the city."

"Providing commuter ferry service will be a catalyst toward development of the entire Landing District," said Joseph Nichols, Esq., interim executive director of the BLRA. "It will provide easy access to Manhattan for current residents of Bayonne and surrounding areas, while enhancing the market value of the new development slated for the Landing District."

The BLRA has been in confidential discussions with parties interested in operating commuter ferry service from The Peninsula to New York City.

Officials predicted a swift start-up for the service once an agreement is reached with a ferry operator, since the BLRA's headquarters building can serve as the ferry ticketing office and existing parking facilities can be used to accommodate commuters.



 

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