Hudson County executive Tom DeGise and Jersey City mayor Steven M. Fulop are working in partnership to create a new three-acre public park in Journal Square, New Jersey. The park will debut as part of the forthcoming Honorable Frank J. Guarini Justice Complex, which also includes a mix of public and civic facilities.
The first phase of development includes demolition of the existing Hudson County Administration Building at 595 Newark Avenue. This follows numerous studies dating back to the 1980s that deemed the existing administration building “inadequate and overburdened.” Replacement of the building was the common recommendation of these assessments. The historic William J. Brennan Courthouse will be left intact.
“This agreement will bring the first park to the Journal Square area, where many kids and adults alike who live or work in the area will now have an open public space to enjoy,” said Mayor Fulop. “This is the latest example not only of our continued efforts to transform areas in need of improvement for the betterment of our residents, but it also highlights the importance of partnerships between city and county government.
When complete, the complex will support 24 new courtrooms, grand jury and jury assembly spaces, administration offices, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Hudson County Surrogate’s Office, and the Sheriff’s Department.
In addition to the new judicial facilities, the complex will introduce a reconfigured street network to improve traffic flow through the neighborhood and to facilitate access to the Journal Square Transportation Center. To accomplish this, the project team will create a two-way extension of Central Avenue between Hoboken Avenue and Newark Avenue, fully remove Cook Street, and widen the one-way Oakland Avenue to accommodate two-way traffic.
“Our partnership will create a beautiful new public park for residents to enjoy as the new courthouse complex serves as a catalyst for the revitalization of Journal Square,” said County Executive DeGise. “This long-overdue project will not only serve as an anchor for the neighborhood, but will also deliver much-needed traffic and circulation improvements.”
Construction is expected to begin next year.
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