Jersey City, New Jersey. The chaotic history of the Pompidou Center in Jersey City comes to an end. The burial of the project was made official on February 11 by the new mayor of the city, James Salomon, who puts forward mainly financial reasons. These, although very real, are nevertheless linked to political decisions.
Back to the timeline. Discussions initiated between Jersey City and the French institution began in 2016. In 2021, the mayor at the time, Steve Fulop, launched the project. The city is not yet exhausted by the post-Covid crisis. The city council supports the project by eight votes to one. James Salomon, then municipal councilor, voted for the project. Everyone is delighted with this first Pompidou Center in North America and the influence it will bring to the second city of the State which faces Manhattan on the other bank of the Hudson.
Funding is provided through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) of the federal state of New Jersey. The museum teams, Rem Koolhaas’ OMA architectural firm and Jersey City begin their collaboration. The indicators seem to be looking good. But in 2024 the NJEDA freezes its subsidy. The economic model is considered too loss-making: between 4 and 9 million dollars (3.4 and 7.6 M€) in revenue for an operating budget of 23 million dollars (19.4 M€). The State Department director is clear: “This project no longer benefits from any state support. »
Donald Trump’s son-in-law
Steve Fulop, then in the middle of a campaign to become governor (he was not elected), believes that the withdrawal of the NEJDA is political. He deploys his energy and his networks so that the project can resume. An agreement is reached with the company Kushner Real Estate Group (KRE), which belongs to the very influential family of Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law. The deal is as follows: KRE finances the project, the location of which is moved to one of its skyscrapers under construction. In return, the real estate company receives a thirty-year tax exemption. The project is resuming on paper, but more slowly.
All these changes will take place during the year 2024, as part of the new municipal elections. The outgoing mayor is not running for re-election. James Salomon wins against another Democrat with 68% of the votes. During his campaign, he strongly criticized Steve Fulop’s financial management of the city.
James Salomon, upon taking office in early 2026, ordered an emergency financial report which confirmed the City’s budget deficit of $250 million. In his address to Jersey citizens, he is uncompromising for Steve Fulop: “By his great negligence and his personal ambition, the former mayor betrayed us. » He assumes to renounce the “Centre Pompidou x Jersey City”, incarnation of the policy of the former city councilor who “imposed pharaonic projects, of which the Center Pompidou is the perfect example”. The new mayor speaks of a “colossal financial pit”. The City has already invested 20 million dollars (€16.8 million) since 2016, including 7.5 million for OMA, 4.5 million for license fees at the Center Pompidou and 5 million in various fees.
“We said categorically no. Not a cent will be spent. » James Salomon’s decision is irrevocable. The Pompidou Center has “taken note of this decision» in a sober press release.
