Hackensack Meridian opens $200M Metropark health hub (photos)

The basics:

• Hackensack Meridian’s $200M Health and Wellness Center opens at Metropark
• Debute marks first US transit-based comprehensive healthcare hub
• Offers primary care, urgent care, imaging, rehab services
• Part of broader, $3B HMH strategy to expand access through ambulatory care, outpatient sites

A first-of-its-kind healthcare hub is now open at one of New Jersey’s busiest transit corridors. The Metropark debut blends medical access with a broader push to reshape how people live, work and commute.

NJBIZ was on the scene April 29 as Hackensack Meridian Health, alongside state, county and local officials, cut the ribbon on the $200 million Health and Wellness Center at Metropark in Woodbridge. The facility is the first comprehensive center of its kind located within a major U.S. transit hub. It offers a full range of services, including urgent care, primary care, advanced imaging, specialty services and rehabilitation.

All services are designed to fit into the daily routines of the tens of thousands of commuters who pass through the station each day. The project is part of a larger redevelopment of the Metropark complex led by DOR, a partnership between the Dinallo family, Onyx Equities and Russo Development. The work aims to transform the area with new housing, retail and office space.

Together, the elements are creating a dense, walkable environment anchored by NJ Transit and Amtrak service — a clear example of transit-oriented development that leverages underutilized land while reducing reliance on cars.

Collaborating to expand access

The health center also reflects Hackensack Meridian Health’s broader $3 billion strategy to expand access through ambulatory care and outpatient sites statewide. It also aligns with NJ Transit’s push to generate non-fare revenue by activating its real estate portfolio.

Officials said the Metropark project offers a model for future public-private partnerships, integrating infrastructure, health care and economic development into a single, highly accessible destination.

“Today is a really historic date, not only for Hackensack Meridian Health, but for the region and for the state of New Jersey,” said Jose Lozano, executive vice president, chief growth officer for HMH, as the program kicked off. Lozano played an instrumental role in spearheading the project. “It’s amazing to think that just 25 months ago, we were in this spot doing a groundbreaking.

“Thirty months later, we have a fully built, 240,000-square-foot building erected by Terminal Construction who has done a remarkable job.”

Applauding Lozano’s efforts, Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Robert Garrett echoed those sentiments about the significance of the day for the state and region.

“It’s a historic day for healthcare and, certainly, a historic day for Hackensack Meridian Health,” said Garrett. “From the State of New Jersey’s perspective, this is a great economic development project. This is really unprecedented in terms of a public-private partnership. There’s a $200 million investment here at Metropark. We’re creating thousands of new jobs, and we believe it will help to continue to make this area thrive economically for the state and for the local region.”

First of its kind

Garrett stressed how this is a first-of-its-kind concept, combining a health and wellness center right at a key rail hub.

“Nowhere else in the country has it been established at a major transportation hub,” he explained. “It’s going to give patients and families and providers unprecedented access. Really thrilled about that from Hackensack Meridian’s perspective. Think about patients coming from midtown Manhattan, downtown Philadelphia, and being able to arrive here in 30 or 35 minutes. Think about caregivers, doctors, nurses, and others – and we’re already seeing it, actually, with folks that are working here in this building, coming from far distances and being able to deliver quality care here.

“I think the access issue is so important to address in so many ways.”

‘A historic day for New Jersey’ (video courtesy of HMH):

Consolidation and collaboration

He noted the campus also allows the opportunity to consolidate HMH leadership into the corporate offices there, allowing for more efficiency. Previously, the team operated across multiple locations.

“I’ve told our board, I think it’s a good reminder and a connection to our mission, for the leadership team, for our board, to be able to see patients and their families each and every day,” said Garrett. “Whether they’re in the hallways or in the elevators or in conference rooms or in staircases. It’s really important to make that connection. To keep us focused on our mission. I really, truly believe that will make a huge difference.

“And then, as far as the patient care goes here, this is really one-stop-shopping healthcare – starting with primary care.”

[A]s far as the patient care goes here, this is really one-stop-shopping healthcare – starting with primary care.
– Robert Garrett, Hackensack Meridian Health CEO

“This will be the first time since the merger that formed Hackensack Meridian Health 10 years ago, all our network non-clinical employees will be in the same building steps away from each other,” Lozano added. “The building is designed with collaboration in mind, with ample meeting and social spaces for brainstorming and cooperation.

A governor … and a busy mom

Leaders spoke about the complexity of the project – and how quickly it came together. Situated in Woodbridge Township, on state land, with NJ Transit owning the station and Amtrak owns the track, beside a county road – the work required approvals from various levels of government and agencies.

It highlights how important coordination was in making this day a reality.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill hit on that point as she took the stage, leading off with two thoughts.

“One was how proud I was that everyone came together,” said Sherrill. “And the second thing was how important it is that we see government delivering like this. Because it should not be a surprise that this came together so well. This is what we do as government when we operate well – bring the complexities together.”

Speaking of her experience as a working mother, as well as the governor, Sherrill emphasized how important a project like this is to make appointments and health/wellness more efficient and streamlined for busy lives.

“This is a great project, and I love so many things about it,” said Sherrill.

She also highlighted the use of underutilized state-owned land. “In a state like New Jersey, it’s really tough sometimes, but we have so much land that is already built upon, but underutilized. So repurposing it for the way we need to use it going forward is exactly how our state is going to move forward. And the way that it’s going to provide a great quality of life to all of our residents. But also deliver on those key businesses, homes and jobs that I want to deliver.”

‘A model for what’s possible’

“Hackensack Meridian’s new building at Metropark Station represents one of the first products delivered under NJ TRANSIT’s recently released LAND Plan: Leveraging our Assets for Non-farebox Dollars,” said Kris Kolluri, president and CEO, NJ Transit. “It is symbolic that we are just a week removed from welcoming 300-plus real estate executives and developers to an open house offering sites for development.

“Anchored by our Metropark Train Station, this project serves as a model for what’s possible under public private partnerships that benefit everyone from the local through the state level.”

“Woodbridge is proud to be the new home of Hackensack Meridian Health,” said Mayor John McCormac. “Our administration worked productively with NJ Transit, the DOR team and the construction team, led by Terminal Construction, to assure that the redevelopment of Metropark resulted in a unique asset that serves Woodbridge and also derives unique benefits from being here.

“We look forward to enjoying, with HMH, its success and service to our residents.”

“By making it easier for people to visit the doctor, we are improving the health of our communities,” said Garrett. “We expect it will be a model emulated across the country.”