Hackensack Meridian Health, the largest and most comprehensive health network in New Jersey, is breaking new ground by launching a groundbreaking healthcare facility at a major transit hub. Situated at the Metropark Station in Woodbridge, New Jersey, this innovative project promises to provide convenient access to comprehensive care for thousands of residents from New Jersey, New York, and the Northeast each day.
The project includes Meadowlands Chamber members HMH, Russo Development, and Onyx Equities.
Governor Phil Murphy praised the initiative, stating, “Once again, New Jersey is pioneering a new model for supporting our families and communities as we break ground on the first-ever comprehensive healthcare facility located at a major transit hub.”
He emphasized the significance of this development not only for Metropark Station’s broader redevelopment but also for advancing the state’s transportation and community health vision.
The project is part of a larger redevelopment effort led by DOR, a consortium spearheaded by Russo Development, which secured a $110 million tax credit grant. Gov. Murphy’s push to modernize transportation hubs statewide served as a catalyst for this development, transforming them into multi-use destinations for residential, office space, retail, and dining, facilitating a seamless blend of living, working, and leisure activities.
“Woodbridge has been an incredible collaborator on our past projects, and it along with NJ Transit created the opportunity for a creative redevelopment at Metropark,” said Ed Russo, president of Russo Development. “But the true turning point came when Hackensack Meridian expressed an interest in the site – they transformed it from an ambitious project to a historic one. We are excited to be a small part of this amazing project.”
Upon its opening next year, the Hackensack Meridian Health and Wellness Center will offer over 60,000 square feet of healthcare services just steps away from the mass transit hub. These services will include primary care, medical specialties, surgical specialties, a sports and spine center of excellence, advanced imaging, phlebotomy, rehabilitation services, a retail pharmacy, occupational health services, and urgent care.
Robert C. Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health, emphasized the network’s commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare, stating, “60,000 people travel through Metropark Station each month as a hub for New Jersey Transit and Amtrak; soon these passengers will have access to quality care steps from their commute.” He highlighted how this expanded, easy access represents a significant advancement in healthcare delivery.
The project aligns with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s ASPIRE program, supporting transformative development projects that incorporate community benefits. These benefits include connecting people to healthcare more efficiently, stimulating mass transit use, and providing at least 20% low-income housing.
“Convenient access to a wide array of medical services at a mass transit hub complements Hackensack Meridian Health’s efforts to address how social determinants of health impact health equity,” Garrett explained. “This location will bring Hackensack Meridian’s best-in-class doctors and care to a location accessible to all, including those whose primary form of transportation is mass transit.”