Historic shoreline set for transformation as sweeping redevelopment ushers in housing, public space, and long-awaited access to the Arthur Kill
Perth Amboy’s long-sealed industrial waterfront is poised for a dramatic rebirth. After years of planning and negotiations, city officials have granted full approval for Sea Gate, a $200 million redevelopment initiative that will convert a dormant 15-acre brownfield site into a vibrant residential and public destination. The project signals one of the most consequential waterfront transformations in Central New Jersey in decades, repositioning Perth Amboy as a city ready to reclaim its shoreline and redefine its future.
Led by Kushner Companies, the Sea Gate plan replaces a fenced-off, underutilized expanse of former industrial land with a five-building residential community featuring 602 market-rate rental residences. The development footprint spans multiple city blocks along Front, Commerce, Rector, Broad, High, and Fayette Streets, wrapping the Arthur Kill waterfront in new life, new energy, and long-overdue public access.
Beyond the housing itself, Sea Gate is designed as a true mixed-use neighborhood experience. Publicly accessible amenities form the heart of the project, including a continuous waterfront esplanade extending from Front Street to Washington Street’s bulkhead, landscaped plazas designed for community gatherings, a children’s playground, and a dedicated dog park. These outdoor spaces are funded by the redeveloper and will remain open to all residents and visitors, marking a shift from decades of restricted shoreline access to a future defined by openness and connection to the water.
Perth Amboy Mayor Helmin Caba praised the approval as a milestone moment for the city’s growth trajectory, noting that the plan was structured to benefit not only future residents of Sea Gate but the entire community. By transforming an environmentally challenged site that has generated minimal tax revenue into an active, high-value district, the city is securing both long-term economic vitality and a renewed relationship with its waterfront.
The financial framework behind the project reflects its scale and ambition. Under a long-term Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreement, Kushner Companies will contribute approximately $1.2 million annually to the city. This replaces a property that currently yields only a fraction of that figure in yearly revenue. In addition, the redeveloper has committed $1 million toward the construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing elsewhere in Perth Amboy, extending the project’s impact beyond the waterfront footprint.
Parking infrastructure has also been integrated into the design, with 909 spaces planned to accommodate residents and visitors while supporting broader commercial activity in the area. Construction is expected to progress over roughly three years, bringing sustained job creation and steady investment activity during the buildout period.
A distinctive element of the redevelopment agreement is its recognition of Perth Amboy’s historical legacy. The approved plan includes a memorial honoring Thomas Mundy Peterson, the city resident recognized as the first African American to vote in a U.S. election following ratification of the 15th Amendment in 1870. This tribute anchors the project not only in modern development but in the city’s enduring place in national history.
Environmental remediation and archaeological review will also play critical roles as redevelopment proceeds. The site’s legacy industrial conditions have limited its usability for decades, but the state-mandated cleanup and historical assessment process ensures both environmental responsibility and preservation of any historically significant materials uncovered during construction.
Sea Gate’s residential offering will consist entirely of one- and two-bedroom apartments, targeting a growing demand for modern waterfront living within commuting distance of major employment corridors. Combined with new public gathering spaces and waterfront connectivity, the project is expected to redefine how residents and visitors experience Perth Amboy’s shoreline.
For a city long separated from its own waterfront by fences and forgotten infrastructure, Sea Gate represents more than a development approval. It is a reclamation of space, identity, and opportunity. As Perth Amboy positions itself for a new chapter of growth, this landmark initiative stands as a defining moment in the city’s urban evolution and a significant addition to New Jersey’s expanding portfolio of waterfront redevelopment and Construction innovation.
