About Our Plan
Named The Center at Fort Lee, Fort Lee Redevelopment Associates’ plan for a large vacant parcel adjoining the George Washington Bridge seeks to provide the Borough of Fort Lee with a vibrant mixed-use town center that offers a unique sense of place and a desired destination along New Jersey’s Gold Coast.
Masterfully designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects, the foremost planners of town centers in the country, The Center at Fort Lee will serve as the catalyst for the redevelopment of the surrounding commercial district and will generate a multitude of significant ratables to address the Borough’s ongoing needs.
At the center of the plan is a large, beautifully landscaped central park that will serve as the focal point of the development and where public events and social gatherings will occur.
High-end retail shops and restaurants will be located along the perimeter of the open space, linked by pedestrian walkways that activate the urban streetscape. Restaurant patrons will enjoy outdoor seating on the broad sidewalks facing the central park. In addition to a variety of shops, The Center of Fort Lee's retail base will include a gourmet food market located at the corner of Main Street and Central Road.
A 4-star hotel and upscale hotel condominium is envisioned for the northern edge of the site. This building, along with the creation of luxury rental residences in two modern towers that offer spectacular views of the George Washington Bridge, the Hudson River and the New York City skyline, will help to realize the transformation of this property into a dynamic 24/7 destination that re-establishes the Borough as the leading community in New Jersey.
Martha Washington Way will be closed to traffic 22 hours a day to provide for a more pedestrian-friendly walkway environment further enhanced by a smartly designed parking garage that will remove vehicles from the town center’s roadways.
Purposefully situated in the center of the park will be a museum, donated by the development team to Fort Lee and to be used to display the rich culture and history of the Borough from its origins to the present. Additionally, Fort Lee Redevelopment Associates suggests the creation of a multi-use theatre to present limited release movies, live concerts and shows, and to be available for a variety of community uses.
A reflection of the development team’s strong connectivity to the local community and understanding of their needs and wants, The Center at Fort Lee will transform the Borough into a showcase environment that will offer residents the opportunity to take advantage of, and take pride in, its unique appeal. |