With support from The Heights community and the Central Avenue Special Improvement District (SID), the city announced today that it is moving forward on the Request for Proposal (RFP) for a 7-story, mixed-use commercial and residential building to be constructed between Central and Cambridge Avenues. The plans include a multi-level public parking deck with 400 spaces to replace the existing surface lot. The project was championed by the late Ward D Councilman, Michael Yun, prior to his passing and is the first city project to create a parking facility since the turn of the century. It is being built in a public/private partnership.
“The dream of having additional parking for the Central Avenue Business Community is getting closer to being a reality. This project has been over 20 years in the making,” said Gary Solomon, owner of Hauptman Floor Covering and founding member of the Central Avenue SID. “The Central Avenue merchants thank Mayor Fulop and the Planning Department for all of their hard work, ideas, and progress on this greatly needed improvement to our area.”
Incorporating the community’s feedback, in order to maximize foot traffic and minimize conflicts with traffic circulation on Central Avenue, vehicular access to the proposed parking deck will be facilitated from Cambridge Avenue. The site plans also include a 10,000 square foot pedestrian plaza – as originally proposed by the late Councilman, Michael Yun – to allow space for community events in the heart of The Heights.
The new structure will also be required to incorporate green infrastructure as part of the administration’s Resiliency Master Plan. The developer will incorporate innovative, cost-effective flood reduction and pollution solutions while promoting sustainable development through features such as a sustainable rooftop, solar panels, or an on-site common rooftop recreation space.
The Jersey City Planning Board will take up the parking deck proposal at the next meeting scheduled for August 25, 2020. From there, it requires City Council approval.