Formerly known as the Harsimus Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the elevated rail line built in 1902 is one step closer to becoming a linear park with a high-rise that includes affordable housing. Photo by Chris Fry/Jersey Digs.
A legal battle that has lasted over 20 years could finally come to an end with a new elevated public park, a high-rise, and affordable housing units that would be built in a prime Downtown location.
During their October 22 meeting, Jersey City’s Council unanimously approved on first reading an ordinance to settle litigation over the Sixth Street Embankment. The six-block stretch of the road between Marin Boulevard and Brunswick Street was once part of the Harsimus Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad and was used for almost a century by freight trains until 1999.
Aerial shot of all the parcels included in the Sixth Street Embankment. Image via Steven Fulop’s Instagram.
After shipping ceased, then-owners Conrail sold the property to eight LLCs affiliated with a developer named Steve Hyman. But Conrail did not formally abandon the branch that ran through the Embankment despite the sale, claiming that the property hosted only a spur rather than a full-blown rail line.
Jersey City filed suit over the issue, arguing that because Conrail didn’t get authorization from the Surface Transportation Board to legally abandon the Embankment, they should have offered the property to public entities before selling it to private parties. A long legal battle between the city and the Hyman family ensued before Steve Hyman passed away in 2019.
An elevated park would be part of a settlement agreement that has been negotiated for several years. Rendering courtesy of the Embankment Preservation Coalition.
The Embankment Preservation Coalition has led the charge to settle the myriad of lawsuits since, and the fruits of that labor are finally in sight. The organization has long hoped to turn the rail line into a greenspace akin to Manhattan’s High Line Park.
Per the settlement agreement advanced by the Council developer The Albanese Organization would obtain ownership of easternmost block of the embankment to potentially construct a 40-story residential rental building containing 604 residential dwelling units.
Concept rendering of the tower that could come to the embankment site. Image via Jersey City Council agenda.
30 of the residences would be set aside as affordable housing under the deal, and the project include 172 parking spaces. Early conceptual plans, drawn up by MHS Architecture, include a 30-foot public right-of-way easement, a grand staircase, and a public elevator and restrooms to access the property.
Image via Jersey City Council agenda.
The lot with the development would then be connected to the other parcels of the embankment via a new pedestrian bridge. The remainder of the embankment properties on the western six blocks would then be transformed into a public park, with improvements to Roberto Clemente Baseball Field also included in the settlement.
Ownership of the open space portion will be transferred to Jersey City under the deal in exchange for the withdrawal of all objections related to an application to the federal Surface Transportation Board disputing the original sale process of the embankment.
The settlement would end a long legal battle that has waged for over two decades and would create a new greenspace that could connect with the Bergen Arches proposed park.
“The construction of the embankment will be truly transformative for Jersey City,” said Ward E Councilman James Solomon, who represents the area. “I believe that when the vision for the embankment is realized, it will be seen as a public improvement for Jersey City on the same level as the development of Liberty State Park was a generation before.”
The City Council also voted to introduce an ordinance that would provide a 30-year tax abatement for the development portion of the project. Both pieces of legislation will need to be approved by the Council on second reading before becoming law, a vote that could take place as early as November 12.