New performing arts center announced for $400M Jersey City university project
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop just announced the newest phase of development on New Jersey City University’s University Place project, Jersey Digs reports. The University and Strategic Development Group will break ground in early 2019 on University PAC, a state-of-the-art performing arts complex. University PAC, a 500-seat theater, and the Center for Music, Dance and Theater, a cutting-edge academic complex for the performing arts will serve as the centerpiece of University Place, serving both the university and the larger community.
The 22-acre University Place will contain retail, commercial, and residential space (including a residence hall) as well as the University PAC, the Center for Music, Dance and Theater and outdoor performance space. According to Anthony V. Bastardi, chairman and CEO of Strategic Development Group, the $400 million plan is aimed at creating a “college town” atmosphere.
Bastardi is known as the brains behind University Place: “I’m the big picture guy on these projects. Quite often, university leadership does not have the time nor experience to focus on underutilized real assets. When I look at land, I don’t see what is. I see what can be.”
According to a press release, a world-renowned ballet school has shown a strong interest in bringing its operations to the planned new facilities. The school has been working with the NJCU administration and faculty to offer its students–as well as NJCU students–a BFA in Dance.
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