Powerhouse Promise: Unleash Potential of Jersey City Cultural Heritage Site
“2025 will be the Year of the Powerhouse!”
Powerhouse Promise, published in The Jersey Journal on Thursday, January 30, 2025 — available on newsstands today or online via subscription!
The battle for the historic Hudson & Manhattan Railroad Powerhouse (erected 1906-1908; Robins & Oakman, architects) on the Jersey City waterfront began in the summer of 1999 and continues in 2025, with very little stabilization progress made in this 25+-year span of time.
Now that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is finally relocating its substation and electric power equipment from the Powerhouse site to a nearby lot (provided, to their benefit, by the City of Jersey City), a window of opportunity presents itself for City Hall — and City Hall alone — to make meaningful preservation strides.
The Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy believes that 2025 must be the year in which the Powerhouse is set on the long-awaited path of preservation. Join us as we kick off a new grassroots campaign for Jersey City’s greatest architectural monument!
The Powerhouse | Reena Rose Sibayan | Copyright 2025 The Jersey Journal/NJ.com
Above YouTube video: The original 1999 News12 New Jersey newscast on the Powerhouse!
![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/b1e02b0f-ea1e-4802-b388-50cd0dbdc061/Powerhouse+National+Register+of+Historic+Places+Nomination%2C+1999.png)
Presenting the Leon Yost Powerhouse Photo Gallery:
![The Powerhouse (Stairwell, Looking West); Leon Yost, Photographer, 1999.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602630649-W3RG0Q9V411QTXOB43YV/The+Powerhouse+%28Stairwell%2C+Looking+West%29%3B+Leon+Yost%2C+Photographer%2C+1999.jpeg)
![The Powerhouse (The Tower, Looking West); Leon Yost, Photographer, 1999.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602630981-A7CP39R4KYAENI5JC8H2/The+Powerhouse+%28The+Tower%2C+Looking+West%29%3B+Leon+Yost%2C+Photographer%2C+1999.jpeg)
![The Powerhouse, 2000, Photography by Leon Yost.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602631884-MBPWXPFK53D99DQGOC62/The+Powerhouse%2C+2000%2C+Photography+by+Leon+Yost.jpg)
![The Powerhouse (Roof, Looking East); Leon Yost, Photographer, 1999.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602631914-R14ITRF7L25RGB3OUVZE/The+Powerhouse+%28Roof%2C+Looking+East%29%3B+Leon+Yost%2C+Photographer%2C+1999.jpeg)
![The Powerhouse (Looking Northwest from Greene Street, 1999); Leon Yost, Photographer.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602632678-SPOZZ2PSPO05MGGAS5ZC/The+Powerhouse+%28Looking+Northwest+from+Greene+Street%2C+1999%29%3B+Leon+Yost%2C+Photographer.jpeg)
![The Powerhouse (Greene Street Facade, via helicopter), 2000; Leon Yost, Photographer.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602633254-1A93YXWO707DSMRFGJVZ/The+Powerhouse+%28Greene+Street+Facade%2C+via+helicopter%29%2C+2000%3B+Leon+Yost%2C+Photographer.jpeg)
![The Powerhouse (Generating Room), 1999; Leon Yost, Photographer.gif](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602633412-MCT6GPBHSI8ATJR0AHOA/The+Powerhouse+%28Generating+Room%29%2C+1999%3B+Leon+Yost%2C+Photographer.gif)
![The Powerhouse (Electrical Panel, Looking North); Leon Yost, Photographer, 1999.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602634271-G0REVZC8DL65G7Q7RYBG/The+Powerhouse+%28Electrical+Panel%2C+Looking+North%29%3B+Leon+Yost%2C+Photographer%2C+1999.jpeg)
![The Powerhouse (Boiler Room, Looking Southwest); Leon Yost, Photographer, 1999.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602634402-BJC1MNFPPHGIE7AB6Q0J/The+Powerhouse+%28Boiler+Room%2C+Looking+Southwest%29%3B+Leon+Yost%2C+Photographer%2C+1999.jpeg)
![The Powerhouse (Boiler Room, Looking Southeast); Leon Yost, Photographer, 1999.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602635238-XG2NB7NXXL1WCBE22FLZ/The+Powerhouse+%28Boiler+Room%2C+Looking+Southeast%29%3B+Leon+Yost%2C+Photographer%2C+1999.jpeg)
![The Powerhouse (Boiler Room, Looking East); Leon Yost, Photographer, 1999.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602635426-OBGADMBE2FHYBOZCIE35/The+Powerhouse+%28Boiler+Room%2C+Looking+East%29%3B+Leon+Yost%2C+Photographer%2C+1999.jpeg)
![The Powerhouse (Stairwell, Looking West); Leon Yost, Photographer, 1999.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602630649-W3RG0Q9V411QTXOB43YV/The+Powerhouse+%28Stairwell%2C+Looking+West%29%3B+Leon+Yost%2C+Photographer%2C+1999.jpeg)
![The Powerhouse (The Tower, Looking West); Leon Yost, Photographer, 1999.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602630981-A7CP39R4KYAENI5JC8H2/The+Powerhouse+%28The+Tower%2C+Looking+West%29%3B+Leon+Yost%2C+Photographer%2C+1999.jpeg)
![The Powerhouse, 2000, Photography by Leon Yost.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602631884-MBPWXPFK53D99DQGOC62/The+Powerhouse%2C+2000%2C+Photography+by+Leon+Yost.jpg)
![The Powerhouse (Roof, Looking East); Leon Yost, Photographer, 1999.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602631914-R14ITRF7L25RGB3OUVZE/The+Powerhouse+%28Roof%2C+Looking+East%29%3B+Leon+Yost%2C+Photographer%2C+1999.jpeg)
![The Powerhouse (Looking Northwest from Greene Street, 1999); Leon Yost, Photographer.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602632678-SPOZZ2PSPO05MGGAS5ZC/The+Powerhouse+%28Looking+Northwest+from+Greene+Street%2C+1999%29%3B+Leon+Yost%2C+Photographer.jpeg)
![The Powerhouse (Greene Street Facade, via helicopter), 2000; Leon Yost, Photographer.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602633254-1A93YXWO707DSMRFGJVZ/The+Powerhouse+%28Greene+Street+Facade%2C+via+helicopter%29%2C+2000%3B+Leon+Yost%2C+Photographer.jpeg)
![The Powerhouse (Generating Room), 1999; Leon Yost, Photographer.gif](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602633412-MCT6GPBHSI8ATJR0AHOA/The+Powerhouse+%28Generating+Room%29%2C+1999%3B+Leon+Yost%2C+Photographer.gif)
![The Powerhouse (Electrical Panel, Looking North); Leon Yost, Photographer, 1999.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602634271-G0REVZC8DL65G7Q7RYBG/The+Powerhouse+%28Electrical+Panel%2C+Looking+North%29%3B+Leon+Yost%2C+Photographer%2C+1999.jpeg)
![The Powerhouse (Boiler Room, Looking Southwest); Leon Yost, Photographer, 1999.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602634402-BJC1MNFPPHGIE7AB6Q0J/The+Powerhouse+%28Boiler+Room%2C+Looking+Southwest%29%3B+Leon+Yost%2C+Photographer%2C+1999.jpeg)
![The Powerhouse (Boiler Room, Looking Southeast); Leon Yost, Photographer, 1999.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602635238-XG2NB7NXXL1WCBE22FLZ/The+Powerhouse+%28Boiler+Room%2C+Looking+Southeast%29%3B+Leon+Yost%2C+Photographer%2C+1999.jpeg)
![The Powerhouse (Boiler Room, Looking East); Leon Yost, Photographer, 1999.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738602635426-OBGADMBE2FHYBOZCIE35/The+Powerhouse+%28Boiler+Room%2C+Looking+East%29%3B+Leon+Yost%2C+Photographer%2C+1999.jpeg)
Jersey City can look to other restored and adaptively reused industrial monuments and heritage sites throughout the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area + other major American and global regions and cities:
The Powerhouse Archives
![John Saunders Oakman, Williams College Class of 1899, via Williams College Archives and Special Collections.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738609790153-LBMTK5WEWYNE2NCX6CRE/John+Saunders+Oakman%2C+Williams+College+Class+of+1899%2C+via+Williams+College+Archives+and+Special+Collections.jpg)
![The Evening Journal, November 30, 1906, p. 17.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738613230282-GN8SMMUKNAB7IUZXN7P5/The+Evening+Journal%2C+November+30%2C+1906%2C+p.+17.png)
![The Jersey Journal, December 3, 1906, p. 18.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738610149891-3WYG09I89MQNB0H68V10/The+Jersey+Journal%2C+December+3%2C+1906%2C+p.+18.png)
![Whitney-Steen Co. Advertisement (1907), Hudson Co.'s Power House, Jersey City, N.J.; Robins & Oakman, Architects.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738610077664-6OSK95SPTAXNYHVE4U61/Whitney-Steen+Co.+Advertisement+%281907%29%2C+Hudson+Co.%27s+Power+House%2C+Jersey+City%2C+N.J.%3B+Robins+%26+Oakman%2C+Architects.jpg)
![hudson.terminal.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738610007629-I4WOF3YWCGNZMICGZ8U2/hudson.terminal.jpg)
![HUDSON AND MAHATTAN RAILROAD (NOW PATH).jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738610048365-TO80G70MOUU0HNYHL0CZ/HUDSON+AND+MAHATTAN+RAILROAD+%28NOW+PATH%29.jpg)
![The Jersey Journal, Feb. 21, 1963. p. 60.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738614430065-PEOK9B4U1U8DPOB9X328/The+Jersey+Journal%2C+Feb.+21%2C+1963.+p.+60.png)
![The Jersey Journal, Jan. 30, 1969, p. 10s.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738614399309-1RWHBGAG47FFA70HFCOC/The+Jersey+Journal%2C+Jan.+30%2C+1969%2C+p.+10s.png)
![Powerhouse Photograph (Looking West) Copyright 1982 John Bartelstone.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738614526838-ITLD6ZR8W82X1SKOXOIO/Powerhouse+Photograph+%28Looking+West%29+Copyright+1982+John+Bartelstone.jpg)
![The Jersey Journal, September 26, 1986, pp. 1, 4.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738613732254-V7WMRGEX17N1LJV00P0U/The+Jersey+Journal%2C+September+26%2C+1986%2C+pp.+1%2C+4.png)
![The Jersey Journal, February 26, 1996, p. 2.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738613767694-T2VEQCQB663ZM0M5SXL0/The+Jersey+Journal%2C+February+26%2C+1996%2C+p.+2.png)
![The New York Times, November 18, 1990, p. 463.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738610253380-7P3UUMIGNDVJ5H1SEUOR/The+New+York+Times%2C+November+18%2C+1990%2C+p.+463.png)
![The New York Times, September 12, 1999, p. 777, via ProQuest Historical Newspapers .png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738613660170-HIS7MJ8VVCWYYWB09HUT/The+New+York+Times%2C+September+12%2C+1999%2C+p.+777%2C+via+ProQuest+Historical+Newspapers+.png)
![The Jersey Journal, September 14, 1999, p. 7.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738613614209-3FOKGUAOAA8J5WPKBPST/The+Jersey+Journal%2C+September+14%2C+1999%2C+p.+7.png)
![The Jersey Journal, March 11, 2003, p. 2.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738613890938-TR7KJDIPNWO4Y1GQF4U0/The+Jersey+Journal%2C+March+11%2C+2003%2C+p.+2.png)
![The Jersey Journal, May 8, 2000, p. 2.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738609899746-ENAS6YNN2OHFFB2NDSPS/The+Jersey+Journal%2C+May+8%2C+2000%2C+p.+2.jpg)
![The Jersey Journal, Oct. 2, 1999, p. 37 (C9).png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738613577404-NGR4MC0AW4BIWWBTV1T5/The+Jersey+Journal%2C+Oct.+2%2C+1999%2C+p.+37+%28C9%29.png)
![The Powerhouse Show, 2000.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738614047209-XG4II8D5R7H3MR4J50MM/The+Powerhouse+Show%2C+2000.png)
![The Jersey Journal, June 26, 2000, p. 11.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738613888559-AW0M17WJTRJ9JOGLT665/The+Jersey+Journal%2C+June+26%2C+2000%2C+p.+11.png)
![The Jersey Journal, July 10, 2000, p. 17.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738613887108-1Y63XP1Z43JJ4N0P01HE/The+Jersey+Journal%2C+July+10%2C+2000%2C+p.+17.png)
![The Powerhouse Show, 2000 (1).png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738614048282-61YVSKGHQM2LFJG41F2V/The+Powerhouse+Show%2C+2000+%281%29.png)
![The Powerhouse Show, 2000 (2).png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738614048341-MVHJTA0APV2PNA8Q6VCM/The+Powerhouse+Show%2C+2000+%282%29.png)
![The Powerhouse Show, 2000 (3).png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738614049797-4ZDJ1KB3VOJFS5DA20AS/The+Powerhouse+Show%2C+2000+%283%29.png)
![The Powerhouse Photo Documentary, Exhibition Postcard, 2001.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738614049370-BA6LB3ZN58U4CAJTL7I5/The+Powerhouse+Photo+Documentary%2C+Exhibition+Postcard%2C+2001.jpeg)
![The Jersey Journal, May 14, 2000, p. 7.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738613540253-P94ZJFV8CLRBMK9JQCKJ/The+Jersey+Journal%2C+May+14%2C+2000%2C+p.+7.png)
![The Jersey Journal, January 24, 2003, p. 9.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738613891053-A9RTVS47ROWAQYZHHYM4/The+Jersey+Journal%2C+January+24%2C+2003%2C+p.+9.jpeg)
![Saving the Hudson & Manhattan Railroad Powerhouse, Hoboken Historical Museum, 2003.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738614046701-P9AQM5C2DM7MYPGMSL8B/Saving+the+Hudson+%26+Manhattan+Railroad+Powerhouse%2C+Hoboken+Historical+Museum%2C+2003.jpeg)
![Powerhouse Display, Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy, 2004.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738613502368-G2YE4DF1118QIO5HNV1A/Powerhouse+Display%2C+Jersey+City+Landmarks+Conservancy%2C+2004.jpg)
![Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy (Logo).jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738613464631-8GSRLJA2HAH98IMMJXZV/Jersey+City+Landmarks+Conservancy+%28Logo%29.jpg)
![PADNA Logo.gif](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738613501569-1EPLF84HVW2C2NCNC0GG/PADNA+Logo.gif)
![Powerhouse Stabilization — City Power, 2009.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738610381495-OI6NXFB44H180US6OO1D/Powerhouse+Stabilization+%E2%80%94+City+Power%2C+2009.png)
![Powerhouse, Andrew Doran, 2013 (1).jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6511aafc5ef4386d76e0d9ae/1738610409280-SACKJ5118NV5HRCGWR2I/Powerhouse%2C+Andrew+Doran%2C+2013+%281%29.jpg)
![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v2/namespaces/memberAccountAvatars/libraries/662ff5f69392083a6cfec8df/0522ad56-061f-41d1-98e5-f89f4454b1f2/Headshot_John.png?format=300w)
Master of Science in Historic Preservation, Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, Columbia University