Journal Square 2060 Redevelopment Plan - Draft Version for Public Comment

On November 25, 2008 the Jersey City Municipal Council determined, by Resolution # 08-879, the Greater Journal Square Study Area to be an "area in need of rehabilitation," pursuant to the New Jersey Local Housing and Redevelopment Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:12A- 1 et seq.). Previously, portions of the Journal Square area were also declared to be an "area in need of redevelopment," called the Journal Square Redevelopment Plan originally adopted in 1974 and amended several times since.

This redevelopment plan focuses on Journal Square, the PATH rail station and bus depot, as well as the surrounding neighborhoods within walking distance, comprising an area of approximately 211 acres, 57 city blocks, and about 1600 individual lots.

The purpose of the Journal Square 2060 Plan is to foster the redevelopment of Journal Square, Jersey City's central business district, by providing for transit oriented development of new housing, offices, commercial, and public open spaces within walking distance to the Square and transit facilities, returning Journal Square to a flourishing central business and shopping destination.

Since the mid 1950’s, various plans in and around Journal Square were adopted by the Jersey City Municipal Council to address the adjacent air-rights development over the PATH rail cut and various development parcels in the vicinity of the Journal Square Transportation Center. Then in 2007, a Vision Plan was prepared by A. Nelessen Associates, Inc. (ANA) and Dean Marchetto Architects, PC (DMA) in coordination the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency (JCRA) and the City of Jersey City. The process included multiple charrettes and public meetings, producing a comprehensive vision for the greater Journal Square area.
The Jersey City Master Plan lists several specific objectives and recommended actions which guide the standards and requirements for this plan. More specifically, the award winning Jersey City Master Plan Circulation Element, Jersey City Mobility 2050, recommends that the City:

Develop and implement smart growth strategies that locate new residential development within walking distance of bus stops and passenger rail stations, with the highest density zones located within walking distance of passenger rail stations; that mixes residential land use with commercial land use;

Create meaningful public spaces that facilitate integration of the built environment with arterials and major transit routes;

Requirements to provide bicycle amenities for building users, such as interior bicycle storage facilities for residential buildings that are accessible without stairs or tight corners, and bicycle racks and employee showers for commercial buildings;

Parking space requirement maximums that reduce the number of permitted parking spaces in development near fixed rail transit stations in proportion to distance and inversely proportional to the intensity of development.

JSQ_Redevelopment_2060_Draft.pdf