Hudson County Administration Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hudson County Administration Building |
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View looking northwest at rear of building
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| General information | |
| Type | Courthouse Hall of Records Government offices |
| Location | 595 Newark Avenue Jersey City, NJ 07306 |
| Construction started | 1955 |
| Completed | 1956 expanded 1964–66 |
| Opening | 1957 |
| Cost | $6.5million |
| Owner | Hudson County |
| Height | |
| Roof | 142 ft (43 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 10 |
| Lifts/elevators | 6 |
The Hudson County Administration Building is a very important building in Hudson County, New Jersey. It's where the main offices for the county government are located. You can find it in Jersey City, at 595 Newark Avenue.
This building holds many offices, including the Hall of Records and courts for the county and state. It first opened in 1957 and was made bigger in 1966. The building has an old-fashioned design called International Style. People think it's getting too old and small now. A new courthouse is being planned, and this building will likely be taken down once the new one is ready.
Contents
What is a County Seat?
A county seat is like the main town or city for a county. It's where the county government offices are located. Think of it as the "headquarters" for the county.
Hudson County's History
Long ago, Hudson County was part of a much bigger area called Bergen County. In 1840, Bergen County was divided, and Hudson County was created.
By 1845, a spot was chosen for a new courthouse and jail in Bergen Township. This township covered a large part of the new county back then. The first courthouse was later replaced by the Hudson County Courthouse in 1910. The old jail was replaced in 1926 and taken down in 1995.
Building the Administration Center
Construction of the Hudson County Administration Building started in August 1955. It cost about $6.5 million to build. The plan was for it to have space for 1,000 employees.
Part of the first building project included an annex, which is like an extra section, for the Hall of Records. The building officially opened on December 18, 1957. In 1964, the building was made even bigger, adding 10 stories. When this modern glass-and-steel tower opened, the nearby Hudson County Courthouse was left empty for a while. But don't worry, it has since been fixed up and restored!
Plans for a New Building
Since the 1980s, many studies have shown that the current administration building is too small and old. In 2012, the leaders of Hudson County thought a new building could cost between $291 million and $366 million.
They have been looking for new places to build a modern courthouse. These new buildings would have updated criminal courts and other facilities. In December 2014, the county leaders approved selling $50 million in bonds to help pay for a new courthouse. By the end of 2017, land for the new building was bought. Plans for designing the new site were made in September 2018, with construction aimed for 2020.
What Happens Next?
Once the new courthouse is finished, the old Hudson County Administration Building will be taken down. In its place, a new 3-acre park will be created. This will give the community a nice green space to enjoy.
