Jersey City Hires Public Housing Veteran to Lead Redevelopment

The Jersey City Redevelopment Agency has hired Polina Bakhteiarov, a former New York City Housing Authority official, as its new executive director.

The agency’s board voted unanimously on Tuesday, Oct. 20, to appoint her. She starts Monday, Nov. 9.

The redevelopment agency guides major building projects across the city, including the Bayfront redevelopment and the restoration of the Loew’s Jersey Theatre. Affordable housing is expected to be a central part of her job, following the recent groundbreaking on Canal Crossing, which will bring 102 affordable homes to Bergen-Lafayette.

Bakhteiarov joined the housing authority in 2016 to launch its effort to raise money for repairs at aging public housing. According to the agency, she lined up plans covering 62,000 apartments and preserved 5,600 rundown units, keeping more than 12,000 people in their homes. She previously worked on economic development for Washington, D.C., and on community projects in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and New Orleans. She holds degrees in planning and civil engineering from MIT.

“No one in Jersey City should be forced out of their home,” Mayor James Solomon said. “Delivering on the promise of affordable housing and holding developers accountable are at the top of our agenda.”

“Redevelopment succeeds when it strengthens communities and gives residents a real voice in the future of their neighborhoods,” Bakhteiarov said.

Council President Denise Ridley, who chairs the agency’s board, said Bakhteiarov “will bring new energy to the Agency.”