BAYONNE, NJ —
July 13, 2026 |
By DailyHudson Staff
Proposal for 8-story building at 75-87 East 31st St. heads to first meeting under new mayor.
On a patch of vacant land near Route 440, a hulking new apartment building could rise in the coming years — bringing 165 homes, a rooftop deck, and a pool to a corner of Bayonne that’s mostly known for traffic noise and chain stores.
But first, a new political team gets its say.
What’s being proposed
Bayonne’s Planning Board will hold its first meeting since Mayor Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski and the new City Council took office on July 1. And on the agenda for that July 14 meeting: an application from the Alessi Organization to build what they’re calling Peninsula View.
The plan calls for an eight-story building on about an acre at 75-87 East 31st Street. The site fronts Route 440 but is only accessible from East 31st Street, East 32nd Street, and Prospect Avenue.
The building would rise 90 feet at its tallest point and include 165 residential units, 188 parking spaces, and 83 bike spots. Parking would fill the first two floors. Above that, residents would find a 6,148-square-foot outdoor courtyard with a pool and an outdoor theater, a 3,200-square-foot fitness center, co-working space, and a game lounge. The roof would add another 1,600 square feet of amenity space. The exterior would be mostly brick veneer.
The developer and the politics
The Alessi Organization is no stranger to Bayonne. They built South Cove Commons, the shopping center that houses Target, ShopRite, and a bunch of other big-box stores. That project reshaped a big chunk of the city’s waterfront.
But they’re also known for a controversial land deal. In 2021, Alessi bought a 9.5-acre property near Route 78 — the former Marist High School — for $11.4 million. A year later, they sold it to the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, netting a $20 million profit. That land is now slated for the Turnpike’s expansion.
That deal left a bad taste for some residents, who questioned whether the city got enough out of the transaction.
Now, with a new mayor and council in place, the Planning Board will get its first chance to weigh a major project under new leadership.
What it means for Bayonne residents
For people living near East 31st Street, the biggest change will be visual. Right now, that lot is empty. If approved, the building would be one of the tallest things in the area. Neighbors can expect more people, more cars, and more noise during construction.
For the city as a whole, the project adds tax ratables — a new building means new property taxes, which help pay for schools, roads, and services. And 165 new apartments could help ease the region’s housing crunch, though rents will likely be market rate.
Parking is always a concern in Bayonne. At a rate of 1.14 spaces per unit, the project exceeds what the city typically requires, but some residents might still worry about spillover onto neighborhood streets. The developer is asking for minor variances related to curb cuts and parking screening — jargon that basically means they want some flexibility in how cars enter and exit the site and how the parking structure is hidden from view.
What people are saying
Neither the mayor’s office nor the Alessi Organization responded to requests for comment before publication. But in paperwork filed with the city, the developer says the project will bring “much-needed housing and amenities to an underutilized site near major transportation corridors.”
Some neighbors have already voiced concerns online about the building’s height and the potential for increased traffic. Others see it as a natural next step for a city that’s been transforming its industrial edges into residential neighborhoods for years.
“It’s a lot of building for that lot,” said one longtime resident who asked not to be named. “But something’s going to go there eventually.”
What comes next
The Planning Board hearing is scheduled for Monday, July 14, at 6 p.m. in the Dorothy E. Harrington Council Chambers at City Hall, 630 Avenue C. The public can attend and speak during the meeting. If you want to weigh in, show up early and sign up to comment.
The board could vote that night, or they could table it for more information. Either way, this is the first big test for the new administration’s approach to development.
It’s a city that keeps growing. The question is always what kind of growth, and for whom.
Source: Jersey Digs
