Liberty Science Center breaks ground on SciTech Scity
Today, Liberty Science Center broke ground on SciTech City, our planned 30-acre “City of Tomorrow” innovation campus that will launch and grow world-changing science and technology companies and reimagine public school education.
Many friends of LSC attended the event, donned hard hats, and wielded shovels for the ceremonial groundbreaking.
LSC Board Co-Chair Steve Howe opened the event, introducing LSC President and CEO Paul Hoffman.
Hoffman explained the components of SciTech Scity: Edge Works, the eight-story business incubation hub; Liberty Science Center High School, a world-class public magnet STEM academy that will be operated by the Hudson County Schools of Technology; Scholars Village, residential housing being developed by Alpine Residential; and Public Commons, four-acres of outdoor activations that encourage exploration, creativity, collaboration, and innovation.
When discussing Liberty Science Center High School, Hoffman said, “We aspire to have the best science school in the United States."
Following Hoffman’s introduction, NJ Governor Phil Murphy spoke about how SciTech Scity will strengthen the Garden State. “Everything we need to make New Jersey a leader in innovation and technology...will be right here on this campus,” said Murphy. “We are breaking ground not just on a campus, but on a whole world of possibilities.”
Murphy was followed by Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who shared his excitement for what the space will become. “This is a moment that will change Jersey City forever,” he said.
Next, Hoffman was joined by Eyal Zimlichman, the Chief Innovation Officer and Chief Medical Officer of Sheba. Hoffman announced that Sheba will become the first Innovation Partner and first international talent at SciTech Scity.
Through this partnership, cutting-edge technologies in healthtech out of Israel – “The Start-Up Nation” – will be showcased in a state-of-the-art simulation facility in SciTech Scity’s Edge Works business optimizer hub.
“Sheba is looking to create a global impact...we are looking to change healthcare around the world,” said Zimlichman.
At the event, Hoffman and Zimlichman executed a Memorandum of Understanding between SciTech Scity and Sheba, witnessed by Fulop and Murphy.
Next, LSC Vice Chair Laura Overdeck – speaking about the Liberty Science Center High School – reflected on growing up as a child in the 1970s in Rio de Janeiro, where engineering often didn’t work.
We shouldn’t “take for granted” things working, Overdeck said, which is why it’s so necessary for kids to grow up with the tools to be pioneers in science, tech, engineering, and math.
“We depend on having a science-educated generation,” said Overdeck.
Amy Lin-Rodriguez, Superintendent Hudson County Schools of Technology, echoed Overdeck’s sentiments. “To see this happening...is a big monumental occasion for all the learners within the Hudson County Schools of Technology,” said Lin-Rodriguez.
Finally, Hudson County Executive Thomas DeGise spoke about the COVID-19 pandemic, and why it’s more important than ever that we value science.
“Wars are going to be fought by people with white lab coats,” DeGise said.
Phase I of SciTech Scity is scheduled to open in late 2023 and 2024 and will comprise $300 million in new construction on 12.5 acres of land donated by the city of Jersey City.
This will include:
- Edge Works: The eight-story business incubation hub of SciTech Scity consisting of the Co-Creation Center, a 40,000-SF state-of-the-art conference center and bleeding-edge tech exhibition gallery, and The Works, 60,000 SF of research and development labs, workspaces, and co-working areas for dozens of start-ups plus skunkworks suites, product showcases, consumer testing labs, and offices for select well-established companies.
- Liberty Science Center High School: A world-class public magnet STEM academy that will be operated by the Hudson County Schools of Technology and provide programs in Earth (Sustainable Engineering and Climate Science), Life (Biological Sciences), and Space (Astrophysics) to 400 students in grades 9 - 12 from across Hudson County. LSC will arrange for the students to have intensive mentorships and work experiences with the companies and scientists at Edge Works and at LSC itself. LSC will also create preparatory programs for middle-school students from under-served communities in Jersey City and Hudson County who are passionate about science and aspire to attend the new high school.
- Scholars Village: Residential housing being developed by Alpine Residential for innovators, scientists, entrepreneurs, STEM graduate students, and individuals and families who desire to be a part of the SciTech Scity community. These residents will have the opportunity to test important new high-tech products in their homes before the rest of the world.
- Public Commons: Four-acres of outdoor activations that encourage exploration, creativity, collaboration, and innovation. An events plaza comparable in size to the skating rink and outdoor area at Rockefeller Center for performances, concerts, maker fairs, farmers markets, huge participatory science experiments, hackathons, art projects, and food-truck festivals.
Subsequent phases of SciTech Scity may include expanded incubation spaces, wet labs, additional schools, a satellite campus of a major university, or other facilities to drive STEM innovation and job creation.
We would like to thank our Founding Partners EY, Verizon, Bank of America, Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, Jersey City, Frank J. Guarini, David Barry, and Joe and Millie Williams. We would also like to thank our School Partners Laura and John Overdeck, the Paul & Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation, Josh and Judy Weston, Joe and Millie Williams, PSE&G, and Hudson County.
Visit scitechscity.com to learn more about the planned campus. Be sure to also follow Liberty Science Center on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for news and updates.
