Canal Crossing

CROSSING INTO UNCHARTED WATERS

It’s not a building. It’s not a block. It’s 111 acres of contiguous space in Jersey City. With the area left to rot after its heyday in the 19th and 20th centuries, the public and private owners finally wanted to change, although the task was daunting. But Dresdner Robin saw a big opportunity to transform the property and showcase what we can accomplish.

We helped develop the master plan and redevelopment plan for a new Canal Crossing Redevelopment Area. The plan was centered on creating a community that would be mixed use and modern, transit-oriented, and above all green.

It was a unique opportunity for the city too. It offered a chance to do something new and innovative – to transform the property into a truly green community. The streetscape and park designs our landscape architects provided worked in many sustainable features. Bio-swales, storm water planters, permeable pavers, LED lighting, and materials with high recycled content will allow Canal Crossing to be a first in Jersey City. Future citizens will experience an added sense of pride. The focus on green extended to the way residents would navigate their new neighborhood, with pedestrian and bicycle friendly space and reduced dependency on cars.

Dresdner Robin became fully emerged in this project, providing design charrettes, holding community meetings and plan presentations, and providing a myriad of concept developments, grid layouts, standards, landscape, lighting and designs for streets, open spaces and parks.