The Canal Crossing site spans about 111 acres that previously held a chromium plant and other industrial uses. Will be transformed into a mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhood including 7,590 homes, parks, a school, retail, offices, and light industrial uses in buildings up to 12 stories tall.
Phase I, consisting of 1,256 homes, 11,000 square feet of retail, and 550 parking spots spread across 7 buildings has applied for site plan approval.
Here are diagrams showing the allowed building heights, uses, and unit counts.
Seems like the environmental/infrastructure work has been ongoing here forever, but good that there’s finally a real proposal for at least part of the site
Renderings have been revealed for phase 1 of Canal Crossing at 880-900 Garfield Avenue with 10 floors, 293 units, 3 store fronts which combine to 11,426 square feet, and 212 car and 168 bicycle parking spaces.
Renderings for future phase(s) for the parcel at the corner of Garfield Ave and the West Side Ave branch of the light rail. Phase 1 bolded and later phase(s) grayed out in the background.
This is pretty far from the PATH train stations, and as a result the rents dont justify the extra expense of tall buildings. One of the lower rent parts of the city.
At 417 Communipaw Ave a couple blocks away they tried to build an 18 story tower, but they couldnt get a construction loan after 4 years. Now they are trying to scale it back to 6 stories. Same happened to 49 Morton Place from 13 stories to 6 stories.
This is why it is all the more important to allow dense high rise development near the Grove St, Newport, and Journal Sq PATH stations where demand is high and people want to live. And around this area they should allow more widespread 4-6 story infill which is economically viable.
Abatements approved. Next step is getting Aspire subsidies from the state. An unclear path given the current freeze on new Aspire program applications.
With the Garfield Light Rail stop and with enough pressure for public transit needs - add a new stop on the Bayonne line at Caven Point - and increase service with more trains. This is what the area needs and is a fair request.
