Plans for a half billion dollar residential development at the site of the former Texaco Chevron plant at the southwest corner of the city may soon see the light of day, now that remediation work is complete on the first of four possible phases, a development company spokesman and city officials say.
The first phase is underway for the Promenade at Bayonne, a mixed-use community development at the intersection of Avenue A and West 1st Street, near the confluence of the Kill Van Kull and Newark Bay, and close to the Bayonne Bridge.
Following the recent completion of remediation work for the first phase, fill is being brought in to raise the ground in the flood-prone area. Hurricane Sandy and the recession took their toll, but for the first time in years, construction work is being done, according to Jason Kaplan of the Kaplan Companies.
“They are adding the fill there, to make sure the flood plain is sufficient there,” said Municipal Services Director Robert Wondolowski, the administration’s point man on development in the city.
Remediation work continues at the rest of the site.
Development has been planned at the site for 27 years, according to Business Administrator Joseph DeMarco.
Discussions about the plans have been ongoing for eight years, and the developers finally see movement on the project.
The first phase calls for two five-story buildings, and about 300 units of housing that will be the beginning of a large community, complete with retail offerings, offices, extensive parking, and plenty of open space.
“The whole goal was not to make this a separate gated community, but to make it consistent with the rest of Bayonne,” Kaplan said. “It’s really an extension of the city; opening up that side of the water to Bayonne.”
The first phase of the development has already been laid out with a street grid pattern, Kaplan said.
It will feature a combination of one- and two-bedroom apartments, and will include ground-floor parking, a small amount of retail, and four stories of residents above. Modern amenities will be part of the mix, including a pool, gymnasium, and club room in each structure.
“There will also be open space for residents’ events and a gathering area,” Kaplan said. “The trend is not just a place to sleep, but to meet your neighbor.”
Kaplan Companies made presentations for preliminary planning approvals, including their site and subdivision plans. They received unanimous approval from the Planning Board on May 12.
But there are many next steps.
“There are a whole load of other approvals,” Kaplan said. “Water, sewer, climate, Hudson County, state, and waterfront approvals.”
They include getting permits from state Department of Environmental Protection for the development of waterfront and flood hazard areas for developments of this size.
“We’re actively pursuing all these permits; it’s a lot of paperwork,” Kaplan said.
After Hurricane Sandy, requirements were raised by the state.
While he considers the fill work actual construction, Kaplan said about a year from now a more tangible sign of progress will be obvious: a constructed building.
Other plans for site
Other plans include an upscale eatery or two, benches, pedestrian and bike paths, plazas, a community recreation center, police substation, outdoor hockey rink, baseball and soccer fields, a waterfront community park, and a marina.
The total development could reach 1,000 units, depending on the market over the next several years, officials said.
The total area could reach nearly 80 acres.
“The whole goal was not to make this a separate gated community, but to make it consistent with the rest of Bayonne.” – Jason Kaplan
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Kaplan projects in city
The start of the Promenade project comes on the heels of last fall’s opening of Kaplan Companies’ $22 million, 96-unit Camelot at Bayonne rental complex downtown on Kennedy Boulevard.
“We’re happy to be a part of the city and its future growth,” Kaplan said. “The city’s been very supportive of us.”
Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com.To comment on this story online visit www.hudsonreporter.com.