After nearly a decade of delays, ballooning costs, and mounting criticism, the City of Hackensack is hitting pause on the Johnson Park Sports Complex project.

At a Special Council meeting held on August 4, the City Council voted to suspend its contract with APS Contracting, Inc. in accordance with the terms of the contract.

The contract allows for the City to suspend “for convenience” without any financial penalty.

After the Council’s unanimous vote, members of the public erupted in cheers, with several residents voicing their support for the suspension during public comment.

Originally announced in 2016 with an anticipated completion date of 2018, the Johnson Park Sports Complex has faced ongoing controversy and delays.

The project’s cost, initially projected at $7 million, is now expected to exceed $40 million. Despite the passage of nine years, no physical construction has begun at the site.

The Council’s resolution calls out the project’s lack of progress and community support, noting that the current plan is ”half-baked,” falling short for student athletes and failing to deliver meaningful recreational and financial value for Hackensack residents.

“This was a costly, ill-fated project from the start,” said Mayor Caseen Gaines. “The math just doesn’t add up for Hackensack families facing rising taxes and rents. We owe it to our residents to rethink this project, solicit feedback from the community, and invest in something that actually benefits the greatest number of residents.”