New Jersey lawmakers recently opted to withdraw $24 million in state funding designated for a proposed branch of the Centre Pompidou in Jersey City due to financial worries. The planned Centre Pompidou x Jersey City was set to be constructed on the grounds of a renovated industrial building near the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. The project aimed to draw in tourists and New Yorkers to Jersey City’s developing Journal Square neighborhood, just a short train ride away from Lower Manhattan. This would have marked the French museum’s inaugural venture in North America.
The city and state agreed to fund the $176 million construction expenses with public money, however, a dispute arose concerning the annual operating budget. Jersey City estimated that ticket sales, venue rentals, donations, and a proposed tax on new constructions in the vicinity would cover the annual $19 million operational costs. Conversely, the state considered this projected income insufficient and likely to result in a persistent shortfall.
Tim Sullivan, the head of New Jersey’s Economic Development Authority, explained in a recent communication to museum officials that due to the repercussions of COVID-19, global conflicts affecting supply chains, escalating expenses, an unsustainable operating deficit, and the consequent financial strain on New Jersey taxpayers, the legislative body decided to retract financial backing, deeming the project unfeasible.
Despite this official rationale, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop implied to The New York Times that his strained relationship with Governor Phil Murphy was a significant factor in the funding revocation. Fulop suggested that Murphy altered his stance on the museum after Fulop withdrew his backing for Tammy Murphy, the governor’s wife, in her campaign for the Democratic Senatorial nomination, backing Rep. Andy Kim instead. Tammy Murphy later exited the race, citing a reluctance to engage in negative campaigning against a fellow Democratic candidate.
Fulop told the newspaper, “There is no question in my mind that this (funding decision) is directly related to my support of Andy Kim.” In response, a spokesperson for the governor emphasized that Murphy had raised concerns about the museum’s projected operating shortfall in April, highlighting that it was unrelated to political matters. The Pompidou Center issued a statement expressing its commitment to ongoing discussions with the Jersey City mayor to collaboratively determine the future course of the project.
