Your Park… Here!

595 Newark Avenue

The Hudson County Administration Building is home to the seat of government of Hudson County, New Jersey, USA. It is located at 595 Newark Avenue in the Journal Square section of Jersey City in the abutting Five Corners and Hilltop neighborhoods. The building houses government administrative offices, the hall of records, and courts for the county and state. The building opened in 1957 and was expanded in 1966, exemplifying the International Style of architecture.

Timeline

1988

A “Court Facilities Needs” study by the National Center for State Courts found the Administration Building functionally unsatisfactory in several areas including: security, circulation, control of atmosphere, electrical wiring, heating and ventilation, and for the general, judicial and ancillary functions of a court building. In addition a substantial asbestos problem was noted.

1991-1993

The Freeholder Board (now known as the County Commissioners) commissioned the “ Hudson County Government Center Master Plan and Space Requirements Program.” The findings were the same as the 1988 study with the additional finding that the current building would still possess a seriously deficient functional layout even after extensive renovations would be prohibitively expensive. The Planners advised that the building be replaced completely.

1994-2009

Debate over how to replace 595 Newark Avenue ensues. Relocating the courts temporarily, then demolishing and rebuilding on the same site are deemed unworkable. The hunt for a new site begin..

2010

Jersey City passes the Journal Square 2060 Redevelopment plan and zones the entire parcel of 595 Newark Avenue as open green space. Hudson County begins the process of selecting a site for the new courthouse complex.

2014

A $50.5 Million dollar bond ordinance to buy land for a new Hudson County Courthouse and other projects is passed. The County begins the process to extend Central Avenue between Hoboken and Newark Avenue. The extension of Central Avenue, along with the permanent closure of Cook St and a portion of Hoboken Avenue allows the County to purchase and consolidate several lots between Newark Avenue, RT 139, Oakland Avenue and the future Central Avenue extension. Justice Frank Guarini also donates lots within these streets . This will be the site of the new Courthouse.

2018

The plans for the new County Courthouse which will be known as the Honorable Frank J. Guarini Justice Complex, finally take shape and details are given to the public.

Spring 2019

A group of local Journal Square and Hilltop neighborhood residents meet for the first time to discuss 595 Newark and how have a park built there once the new Justice Complex is complete. Simultaneously, the County introduces an ordinance to the Jersey City Council to turn the new land as well as 595 Newark Ave over to the HCIA to handle the development process. Within the ordinance is language that would give the County the option to subdivide the 3. 5 acre 595 Newark Ave parcel with the intent to sell off a portion of it to private developers. Local residents as well as Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano object to the plan to sell to private developers,and the 595 Newark Ave parcel is left off the ordinance.

Fall 2019

Meetings with local residents and Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, County Commissioners, Mayor Steven Fulop , Councliman Boggiano, Council President Lavarro are held to come up with a plan for “Courthouse Park”. In November at a Hilltop Neighborhood Association meeting the announcement is made for a partnership with Jersey City and Hudson County to create the new park. An MOU outlining the details of the deal is passed by the Jersey City Council and The County Board of Commissioners.

2020

The Courthouse Park Advocacy group is formed, made up of local residents.

January 2021

Construction begins on the Honorable Frank Guarini Justice Complex

February 2022

The Courthouse Park Advocacy Group receives 501(c)3 status

March 2022

The Courthouse Park Advocacy Group becomes a member of the Jersey City Parks Coalition.

SEPTEMBER 2022

Jersey City Department of Infastructure hires SWA , an international landscape architecture, planning and urban design firm, to design the park

November 2022

First community meeting with Courthouse Park Advocacy Group, Jersey City Dept of Infrastructure and SWA consultants to discuss the design process for the park.

Summer 2023

Design Concepts for the park Presented by SWA Group to the community . Review the video below and visit here : Jersey City Govt: Courthouse Park for more information