Jersey City Officials Asked to Say 'Adieu' to Funding for French Art Museum

JERSEY CITY, NJ - Claiming that the project is no longer viable, New Jersey officials have pulled funding for the development of the Jersey City outpost of The Centre Pompidou. according to letters obtained by the New Jersey Monitor.

Tim Sullivan, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) informed the President of The Centre Pompidou while Department of State official Michael Greco informed the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency (JCRA). Both notices came via letter, with Greco asking the JCRA to return all previously disbursed funds by August 1st.

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While Sullivan pointed to a number of financial concerns, local officials have shared a belief that politics is at play for the decision.

“It is really unfortunate. As we said earlier this year, absolutely nothing changed in this project from what the Governor and First Lady knew initially and what they reference now, and there is plenty of documentation to support our point,” City Spokesperson Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione told TAPinto Jersey City. “The only thing that changed is the politics in New Jersey and the First Lady’s failed candidacy.”

Wallace-Scalcione also dismissed the financial concerns saying they are “obviously not sincere.”

“The Governor signed off on more than $500 million in legislative Christmas tree items the last day of the budget, so clearly, financial responsibility of a budget is not a real concern.”

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As previously reported by TAPinto Jersey City , Mayor Steven Fulop has said that the Centre Pompidou × Jersey City museum would become an anchor for Journal Square, drawing tourists and others to seek out a part of the city that is undergoing renaissance. He said accompanied by the restoration of the historic Loews Theater as a center of performing arts, Journal Square will become a hub for arts and culture.

Jersey City purchased the Pathside building from Hudson County Community College in 2018 with the idea of creating an arts space and museum.

The city, which has already spent $10 million to buy the building, agreed to assume the financial burden of renovating the building and operating the museum. The agreement also would require the city to pay a phased-in annual fee of up to $6 million, covering project development and promotion of the exhibits. The cost of renovating the building could cost the city between $10 million to $30 million.

All may not be lost, Wallace-Scalcione concluded, saying that local officials will discuss whether the is a path forward with “partners abroad” over the next week.

The issue has become the focus of at least two candidates seeking the Mayor’s Office in the 2025 Jersey City election.

“Common sense dictates that we return to basic functions and focus upon the priorities of Jersey City residents. The Pompidou museum is an unnecessary and costly expense to the City, which will ultimately have to be funded by Jersey City taxpayers. The City must not further jeopardize its already vulnerable financial position,” McGreevey said.

County Commissioner Bill O’Dea also said the state’s concern was legitimate.

“It’s about the money needed for operating the facility,” O’Dea said. “Unless the city can show where it is going to get operating funds every year, it is a concern.”

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