With one Journal Squared tower completed and another topped off, along with several high-rise buildings in the works throughout the Journal Square area, Jersey City’s Ward C has seen a rapid increase in development projects and proposals over the last few years. Such plans have raised questions over the future of existing residential neighborhoods in the vicinity along with longstanding small businesses such as the VIP Diner. Now, changes could potentially be coming to a property near the Five Corners that used to be home to a local bar.

The building at 626 Summit Avenue, which was home to Pete and Ted’s Bar and Grill and other establishments over the years, was sold in 2018 for $4.35 million to a firm calling itself 626 Summit Ave, LLC. The company is now seeking Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan approval with deviations from the Jersey City Planning Board in connection with a proposed high-rise development on the premises, according to a legal notice.

Plans call for constructing a 27-story building that would consist of 209 residential units atop two floors of commercial space along with 2,871 square feet of ground-floor retail space.

Since the tract is situated within the Journal Square 2060 Redevelopment Plan Area, the notice mentioned that the development would take advantage of the plan’s office space bonus. The bonus allows for some buildings that are constructed on lots taking up at least 9,000 square feet to include two additional stories and be 28 feet taller “in order to encourage the development of office space, maintain Journal Square as a mixed-use employment center, and provide space for neighborhood amenities.”

The notice mentioned that the building would be constructed on 14,077 square feet of lot area and that the properties associated with the project also include 622, 624, and 628 Summit Avenue. 628 Summit Avenue contains a four-story building that was constructed just a few years ago while 622 and 624 Summit Avenue are where a nine-story development application was approved in 2018. City records indicate that 626 Summit Ave, LLC only owns the 626 Summit Avenue parcel, which was the subject of a demolition permit that was issued in November 2019 to IBN Construction of Newark.

The Planning Board is scheduled to hear 626 Summit Ave, LLC’s application during its next meeting on Tuesday, January 7, at 5:30 p.m.

Note to readers: The dates that applications are scheduled to be heard by the Jersey City Planning Board and other commissions are subject to change.

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