Journal Square Will Get Major Makeover

JERSEY CITY-Mayor Jerramiah Healy has scheduled a press conference for Wednesday morning to unveil the details of what he terms his Visionary Plan for Journal Square. The latter is a section of this city’s downtown surrounding a major PATH light rail station that has struggled economically for a number of years.

“We have had a major renaissance in Jersey City on our eastern waterfront, the Hudson River, but it has been my priority to see that this rising tide lifts all boats,” Healy says, in a statement. “In my quest to make [this city] greater, I have requested that this vision for Journal Square incorporate my principles of making Jersey City greener, safer, more affordable and more prosperous.”

To accomplish that, the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency earlier this year commissioned the Belle Mead, NJ-based A. Nelessen Associates to work out the details. The land planning firm is no stranger to this city, having previously drawn up plans for the 100-acre Bayfront Redevelopment Plan involving 100 acres along this city’s New York Bay waterfront, as well as a redevelopment plan for the area surrounding the campus of New Jersey City University.

City officials would not release details of the Journal Square plans prior to tomorrow’s press conference, but general information released by the Mayor’s Office envisions development of “thousands of new housing units and millions and sf of retail and commercial space in what is the geographic heart of the city….”

“The Healy administration has begun the process of turning things around and restoring Journal Square to its former prominence as the commercial and entertainment center of the city,” says a spokesman. “The plan incorporates smart growth in Journal Square, which is a state-designated transit village where eight million commuters utilize PATH light rail and bus transportation annually.