Without doubt, Jersey City's downtown offers a mix of factors that create
an abundant appeal to those looking for real estate for either residential or
business purposes. This combination has come about after extensive redevelopment
efforts by numerous companies as well as municipally sponsored business organizations.
The result has been a mix of industry, which includes everything from custom
lead casting to insurance, and high density, high value residential complexes.
Let's take a look at what has led to this important development within
Jersey City's downtown.
Without doubt, the largest single contributing factor to the rejuvenation of
the city's downtown is its proximity to Manhattan. Jersey City is right
across the river from the city that defines the North American metropolis, and
its residents benefit in a variety of different ways. Most notably, about a
quarter of Jersey City's population commutes to Manhattan for work, every
single day.
Employment is just one of the ways between the two centers, however. Jersey
City has had to adapt in order to be competitive with the business base that
New York has to offer, and one way it has done so is by waiving many taxes that
cut into the bottom line of a lot of different businesses. The lack of corporate
and payroll taxes, commercial rent taxes, or city income taxes make Jersey City
an enviable business location, even for a new product patented with a Canadian
trademark firm. From the point of view of a Manhattan-based business, it must
look like an oasis in a desert.
And, in fact, that is exactly how many New York firms are starting to see Jersey
City. The waterfront, in particular, has witnessed the relocation of many businesses
that once operated solely out of Manhattan. They are attracted by cheaper rents
and lower utility rates, brought about in large part thanks to the use of Hydrovac
rather than excavation systems when redeveloping the downtown core.
Jersey City's reputation as offering some great back office space has
led to an increased interest on the part of workers to live in the downtown
core as well. Of particular note is the Colgate Center. This complex includes
nine office towers containing dozens of different businesses as well as shopping
centers and a residential tower. There is also a marina, which offers ferry
services to those recruits of executive search firms Toronto efforts looking
to get from Manhattan to Jersey City, having conducted interviews in both locations.
The manufacturing industry along the Hudson in downtown Jersey City has also
undergone a transformation in recent years. Greener concerns and a drive to
clean up the city to improve everyone's living experience has meant that
one can barely tell the factories producing everything from electronic goods
to heat shrink sleeving from the executive towers.
The rejuvenation and diversification of Jersey City's downtown core is
certainly a good example for any city with a similar background to follow. Industry,
business, and residential zoning have combined to form a whole new city within
a city, convenient for everyone who lives there.
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