McGinley Square

McGinley Square is in Jersey City, New Jersey, located near the middle of the city, south of Journal Square. The square itself is at the intersection of two of the city's major thoroughfares, Montgomery Street (which runs from Downtown at Exchange Place to West Side), and Bergen Avenue (which runs between Greenville and Journal Square).

View of McGinley Square

St Aedan's Church

Hudson Catholic

The area was named after Monsignor Roger McGinley, the builder of St. Aedans Church.[1] Hudson Catholic Regional High School, the Jersey City Armory,[2] the Jersey City YMCA, St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, and Bergen Square are all within a short walk from the square. The former Jersey City Medical Center, a massive Art Deco complex three blocks to the east of the square is being restored as housing as The Beacon.

The area around the square is planned for development.[3][4][5] Large blocks of the neighborhood belong to Saint Peter's University, which intends to sign a long-term lease with a developer to create entertainment center on lots now used as parking. The current plan calls for three levels of retail and entertainment space, including a movie theater and 300-car parking garage. Another proposal includes a building taller and larger in scope, with three levels of retail and parking for 600 cars, half for the college, at its base. Three 11-story towers for housing - one for student dormitories, one for moderately priced housing, and one for market-rate rentals or condos - would rise above it.[6] Plans were mired in a controversy regarding the use of eminent domain,[7][8] but have been approved. Construction had been set to begin in August 2012, with completion set for 2016;[9] as of 2018 it had not yet begun.[10]

Several community organizations are active in the McGinley Square area. Bergen Communities United is a non-profit organization responsible for community planning in McGinley Square and the neighborhoods immediately to the south. The McGinley Square Partnership is a business improvement district, with local business owners using dues and NJ Urban Enterprise Zone funds for improvements to the commercial area. The Highland Avenue Block Association advocates for residents' interests.