Bayonne’s City Council has decided to push forward a big development project, overriding Mayor Jimmy Davis’ veto.
The plan is to build a 10-story residential building on West 25th Street, including a long-awaited community center—something locals have been promised for over ten years.
- Bayonne City Council overruled Mayor Davis’ veto and planned to build a 10-story building with a much-needed community center.
- Concerns about traffic and parking were considered, but studies showed they wouldn’t be a big problem, convincing most council members to support the project.
- Despite differing opinions, this decision fulfills a decade-old promise to bring a community center to the heart of Bayonne.
A Decade-Long Promise: The Need for a Recreation Center
Local legislators have been working for more than a decade to bring a recreation center to the heart of Bayonne.
Now, the plans for a new 10-story building on West 25th Street, between Broadway and Avenue C, finally include that long-awaited community space—a 12,000-square-foot recreation center.
This project has been a campaign promise since 2014, and the council’s recent decision makes it clear that they’re committed to making it a reality.
Council President Gary La Pelusa stressed the importance of this project, saying, “We campaigned back in 2014 to get a recreation center close to the center of town. We waited ten years to get this, and I won’t wait another ten years.”
Councilman Juan Perez agreed, calling the project “a bird in hand” and favorably comparing it to Mayor Davis’ alternative plans, which he referred to as “bird in the bush.”
Addressing Traffic and Parking Concerns
One of the main concerns around this project was how it might affect traffic and parking in the area.
Mayor Davis initially vetoed the approval, pointing out traffic safety issues on West 25th Street, which, as everyone knows, is already the busiest street in Bayonne.
He argued that a building height of eight to ten stories seemed too much for the neighborhood, suggesting it shouldn’t exceed six stories.
However, most council members saw things differently after digging into the data.
Councilwoman Jacqueline Weimmer, who initially had her reservations, changed her stance after doing some research.
She pointed to traffic studies from the developer that showed the project wouldn’t cause a noticeable increase in traffic.
She said, “I was satisfied with the traffic study that [said] there would not be an increase in traffic.”
Council President La Pelusa also noted that the proposed development would generate fewer traffic trips than the current use of the property as a gym.
Plus, the project includes creating new parking spaces, potentially using 30 spaces in a public lot that will open up once the gym moves out.
The Final Decision: Moving Bayonne Forward
Despite the concerns raised by some council members and Mayor Davis, the veto override passed with a 4-1 vote, making it Davis’ administration’s first override.
The only dissenting voice came from 1st Ward Councilman Neil Carroll, who remained uneasy about the project.
Essentially, Carroll felt it didn’t fully tackle the issues he was worried about, like revisiting the Master Plan and considering the long-term traffic impacts.
Carroll explained, “It’s a moot point now, but the idea that it’s somehow disingenuous to tell a group of builders that their project is [insufficient] … as opposed to the people who live there was mind-boggling to me.”
He also voiced concerns from residents about the likelihood of increased street parking from new residents and their visitors.
Still, in the end, the council chose to proceed, feeling that the community center’s benefits outweighed its potential downsides.
This decision shows they’re serious about keeping their promises and doing what they believe is best for Bayonne.
The new 10-story building, complete with a recreation center, is set to become a standout feature in the city and play a big role in Bayonne’s growth and the well-being of its residents.
