In 2018, the Jersey City municipal government began the process of establishing a new museum in a historic building at Journal Square.

[5] The cream-colored brick building at 350 Montgomery Street, a former post office warehouse circa 1929, was renovated at the cost of $6.5 million, to become the museum's next location.

[citation needed] Due to financial difficulties and in danger of losing the building, the museum closed to the general public in December 2010,[7] amid speculation that it might not reopen.

[8][9] However, the building was purchased by the Jersey City Medical Center in February 2012 for partial use as offices, with the remaining space and theater dedicated to display of the museum collection that reopened in June,[10][11][12] but closed permanently soon thereafter.

That corporation became known as Public Service Electric and Gas Company, whose transportation business became the nucleus of the NJ Transit bus network and the Newark City Subway.

[26] New Jersey Republican Senator Michael Testa accused the project of excess, waste, and potential pay-to-play, and requested an audit by the state.

[33] The New Jersey Economic Development Authority, which had earmarked $34 million for the project, said it would not release the funds until yearly operating expenses were clarified.

[35][36] That September, Jersey City mayor Steven Fulop announced an alternative location in a high-rise development in Journal Square, though this was opposed by councilman James Solomon.