More than 60 years after then-naval lieutenant John F. Kennedy made Bayonne famous in his heroic efforts aboard the PT-109, the site of the former Elco Naval Division of the Electric Boat Company has again made history for having the first of several planned redevelopment projects slated for the Newark Bay coast in Bayonne.
Called the “mosquito fleet” in the popular press, the hundreds of sleek and deadly wooden Patrol Torpedo boats built in Bayonne from 1942 to 1945 served in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters. During a dramatic event in the South Pacific, Kennedy – in what would later be immortalized in a book and movie – became a hero while a member of the crew of PT-109.
On June 3, Mayor Joseph V. Doria and other dignitaries also made history when they cut the ribbon on a new residential community being constructed on the site of the former Elco property.
This is the first residential community in the redevelopment of the city’s Newark Bay waterfront, and the first of three projects underway by Baker Residential townhouse developers.
Called “The Boatworks at Bayonne,” the community features attached homes in two styles. And while the development is still under construction, some people have already moved in, and more than 35 percent of the 160 total townhouses have already been sold – at a range of $356,000 to $480,000. The units feature two and half baths, balconies or decks and vaulted master bedrooms, and the community will feature a pool, cabana and public waterfront walkway.
“In addition, we plan to rehabilitate an existing 62-slip marina which will be available for use by both residents and the public,” said Lori Dargento, the sales manager for the Boatworks community.
The buildings have distinctive exterior details such as shutters, bay windows and colonial-style multi-panel home entrances and garage doors. The interiors feature gourmet kitchens with furniture quality-finished cabinets, extensive counter space, and hardwood floors in all entry foyers as well as options to upgrade other features.
Situated off Avenue A near Eighth Street, the 10.1-acre parcel is expected to hold 160 townhouses in 17 buildings, and Doria called it the most significant development in Bayonne in a generation, and consistent with a policy of bringing to Bayonne “reasonable, rational, and responsible” development.
Councilman Ted Connolly, who also is a member of the city’s Planning Board, called the project “a perfect example” of responsible redevelopment.
After Elco closed its doors here in December 1949, the site served other uses, but never lived up to the property’s potential, Connolly said.
“There were no real rateables coming from it,” Connolly said.
Bayonne was no accidental find
Ken Wilson, one of the key real estate investigators for Baker Residential, was born in Bayonne.
“My father served in the Navy in World War II,” he said.
During his years growing up here, Wilson said he had heard of the Elco property, but it wasn’t until some time later that he discovered the property was up for sale. He urged Baker management to purchase it.
Since then, Baker has also proposed two other projects in Bayonne, with 31 residential units planned for a site at 30th Street and 156 units planned for the 54th Street site currently occupied by Hi Hat Caterers.
Wilson said bricks from the original Elco building and other historic items will be used in construction near the pool and the marina, part of an agreement to help preserve an important piece of Bayonne’s history.
Many of the dignitaries took a tour of the two styles of townhouses being built at the site, many of which were professionally decorated, a service Baker is offering to prospective buyers.
“We are honored that Mayor Doria and those officials whose hard work made this community possible joined us to mark this significant step in the development of the Boatworks at Bayonne,” said Clark Atwood, general Manager of Baker Residential’s Northern New Jersey Division.