The brief

Located near the Journal Square section of Jersey City is Summit Plaza, the largest privately-held Section 8 housing complex in the state. This thriving community provides housing for over 1,200 people, including long-term, elderly, and disabled residents, as well as families with five or more members, who are classified as the “most vulnerable populations” by HUD.

Summit Plaza comprises four medium- and high-rise buildings with a total of 483 apartments, along with an elementary school, a swimming pool, and a commercial building, all situated on 6.35 acres of land.

Over its 46-year history, the complex has undergone several modern upgrades, including the installation of an Envac automated waste removal system in 1972.

This remarkable system, praised by both engineering and management personnel, employs pneumatic tubes to transport trash at a speed of 55 miles per hour to a central hopper, powered by the energy plant.

 Summit Plaza stands as a pioneering example of urban housing preservation, continually striving to improve the quality of life for its residents. With its convenient location, modern amenities, and ongoing commitment to providing a safe and comfortable home, Summit Plaza offers an exceptional living experience.

Located in Jersey City, NJ, Summit Plaza Apartments provides modern, state-of-the-art housing for some of our most vulnerable populations Photo is a representative Envac system.
Located in Jersey City, NJ, Summit Plaza Apartments provides modern, state-of-the-art housing for some of our most vulnerable populations Photo is a representative Envac system.

1 fractions

All waste

1,920 linear feet of pipe

A pipe network of 1,920 linear feet of 20″ diameter piping

240 tons of waste/year

51 years age of system

And still working well

When Summit Plaza first opened, people were amazed at its futuristic trash removal system and NASA-engineered water purification systems. At the time, these technological upgrades were the kind only found in places like Disney World. With recent improvements in place, we’re continuing that kind of innovation and bringing the campus into the 21st century and beyond.
Photo of Jersey City at dusk by Praneeth Thalla, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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