In Hackensack, a long-anticipated major redevelopment project at 133 River St. has yet to commence, despite $8 million expenditures by Bergen County. The project, initially unveiled in January 2025, includes a 15-story residential complex and a five-story linear mixed-use tower attached to a reconstructed bus terminal. Key delays have been attributed to increased construction costs, including higher steel prices from recent tariffs, and logistical challenges related to relocating the busy Hackensack bus terminal temporarily.
The project has also faced administrative transitions at both local and state levels, causing further reevaluation of the financials involved. NJ Transit, though a critical partner in the development, confirmed they have not received a revised construction start date from Bergen County as the reevaluation continues.
Originally approved by the state Department of Environmental Protection in July 2021, the permits for the development are set to expire on July 28, 2026, providing a deadline which adds pressure to finalize plans. The proposed development aims to provide 158 units of workforce housing and 10 units for veterans, underlining the project's importance in community development and regional planning.
While Hackensack's Mayor Caseen Gaines had committed to revisiting redevelopment strategies during the municipal election, the project's uncertainty poses significant questions about the future of urban redevelopment in the city.
With the project named "Bergen Junction," the intended development includes practical provisions such as a health and wellness center, street-level retail space, and a parking garage. However, as delays continue, Hackensack residents and stakeholders await decisive action that will determine the project's viability.