Council approves 30-year tax abatement for Grand Street development despite widespread public opposition

The Jersey City Municipal Council adopted ordinance 25-101, granting a 30-year tax abatement (pilot) for a proposed Grand Street development that the administration and developer say will include 15% affordable units. The ordinance passed after a lengthy public hearing and debate, with the final recorded vote 6 in favor, 2 opposed and 1 abstention.

The public hearing drew more than two dozen speakers who both supported and opposed the abatement. Supporters said the abatement was necessary to make a mixed-income project financially feasible and to deliver 62 affordable homes downtown. Christopher (last name not provided) told the council the project would help small businesses because "affordable homes in this area means more families, more workers, more people who can make downtown their home." Adriana Pulitis and other proponents said transparency and local hiring commitments from the development…