In 2014, Bayonne was struggling with a $25 million annual deficit.
Once a strong industrial city, it had lost many businesses since the late 1980s.
Over time, the tax burden shifted from industrial properties to homeowners.
Previous administrations tried to fix the budget shortfall by selling city assets, including a large portion of the Military Ocean Terminal Bayonne (MOTBY) to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and future revenue from the city’s water and sewer utilities.
Although the sales provided quick money, it did not solve the financial problem.
When Mayor Jimmy Davis took office, he changed the city’s approach.
Instead of selling more assets, he focused on attracting investment and redevelopment.
His administration introduced Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs), which encouraged developers to build on underused and abandoned properties.
Contrary to what some believed, these agreements did not mean developers paid no taxes.
Rather, they allowed tax revenue to stay local rather than being shared with the state.
- Bayonne overcame a $25 million deficit through strategic investments, attracting developers, and revitalizing once-abandoned industrial sites.
- Major upgrades in transportation, public parks, and emergency services have made Bayonne safer and more accessible.
- With new projects on the horizon, including the IMTT redevelopment and ferry service, Davis announces his plans to run for Hudson County Sheriff.
Bayonne’s Economic Revival and Development Boom
Developers responded quickly.
Large projects at MOTBY led to thousands of new housing units and businesses, including Costco, Starbucks, LIDL, LA Fitness, Amazon, and UPS.
This growth eliminated the $25 million budget gap and made Bayonne one of the fastest-growing real estate markets in the New York City metropolitan area.
As investors saw success at MOTBY, they turned to other areas of Bayonne.
Avenue E, close to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, became a residential corridor.
The East Side of Bayonne, near Route 440, also saw new housing developments on former industrial sites.
These changes helped Bayonne transition from a struggling industrial town into a desirable place to live and work.
Improving Infrastructure and Public Spaces
As Bayonne grew, the need for better infrastructure became clear.
Mayor Davis’ administration launched the most extensive park renovation project in city history.
Every park received or is scheduled for improvements.
Some of the key projects include:
- Veterans Stadium
- Korpi Ice Rink
- Dennis Collins Park
- 8th Street Park
- Fitzpatrick Park
- Donovan Park
- DeSena Park
- 11th Street Oval (being renovated for Buddy Baseball)
- Makowski Park
- Dr. Morris Park
Additionally, Russell Golding Park (49th Street Park) is set for a $5 million upgrade, and the city recently bought a pocket park at 440-442 Avenue C, which will be renamed George Goldman Park.
One major achievement was creating a dedicated park for children with special needs.
Beyond parks, Bayonne’s main business district, Broadway, was improved with new statues and murals.
Traffic and pedestrian infrastructure also saw vital upgrades.
The new 14A Turnpike exit eased congestion at 53rd Street and Avenue E, while the Bayonne Bridge renovation allowed larger cargo ships to pass through.
Another notable project is the construction of a new Turnpike Extension Bridge over Newark Bay, which will help reduce daily traffic congestion.
Additionally, the city is installing an elevator at the 25th Street pedestrian bridge and constructing a new pedestrian bridge over Route 440 to improve safety and accessibility.
Launching Bayonne’s Ferry Service
A long-awaited project is the Bayonne ferry terminal, which will provide direct service to New York City.
The city recently purchased 2.3 acres of land from the Port Authority for $4.4 million to build the terminal.
Of this, 1.6 acres will be used for the terminal and parking, and 0.7 acres will be used to expand the Hudson Riverfront Walkway.
An additional one acre was contributed by Lincoln Equities, which developed the UPS facility.
The ferry terminal will be built about one mile east of the Bayonne mainland, and its parking lot is expected to hold 130 spaces.
The city originally selected Seastreak as the ferry operator, but that agreement expired.
A new request for proposals (RFP) has been issued, and a ferry operator is expected to be selected by March or April 2025.
The city expects service to begin by late summer or early fall 2025.
Enhancing Public Safety and Emergency Services
Bayonne’s growing population also required improvements in public safety.
The city introduced a body-worn camera program for police officers before it was legally required, strengthening trust between the community and law enforcement.
The fire department fleet was also modernized, replacing outdated fire trucks from the 1990s with new frontline vehicles.
These changes ensured that emergency services could respond quickly and effectively to incidents.
Bayonne Medical Center has faced financial issues and recently filed for bankruptcy protection.
However, Davis assured residents that the hospital would remain open and that it would be expanding its services through the bankruptcy restructuring process.
Future Growth: IMTT Redevelopment
The next major development project in Bayonne is the IMTT redevelopment.
Currently, IMTT operates a 450-acre industrial storage facility.
The plan is to transform 130 acres of its waterfront land into a mixed-use commercial and industrial site.
The redevelopment will bring new businesses, jobs, and revenue.
Mayor Davis’ Future Plans
After serving as mayor for over 11 years, Davis announced his plan to run for Hudson County Sheriff.
If elected, he will step down as mayor on January 1, 2026.
If he does not win, he will continue serving as mayor.
Before becoming mayor, Davis worked as a police officer in Bayonne, and he says law enforcement has always been his passion.
He described this decision as a difficult but necessary step for him and his family.
A Transformed Bayonne
Under Mayor Davis, Bayonne went from a city struggling with a $25 million deficit to a growing community with new businesses, housing developments, parks, and infrastructure improvements.
Investments in MOTBY, Broadway, and the East Side have attracted residents and businesses, plus traffic and transportation projects have made the city more accessible.
With Davis preparing for a potential new role in law enforcement, he leaves behind a stronger, more financially stable, and well-prepared city for the future.
