City to Join 'Live Where You Work'

The Live Where You Work program is a state sponsored initiative to assist working families like teachers and firefighters settle within the cities they work. Jersey City joins Trenton as the second city in the program, reports NJ.com. The department of community affairs works with banks and mortgage lenders to reduce interest rates for loans.

Jersey City "Discount" Shrinking

In recent years, bargain hunters have settled on the west side of the Hudson River. Between Hoboken and downtown Jersey City, Hoboken had been the premium neighborhood with a premium price tag to match. But now that discount is disappearing, notes blog Inside Hoboken Real Estate. Using sales over the last six months, the blog notes the price savings for Jersey City over Hoboken is down to a little under 7 percent. Still, both cities are discounted over Manhattan.

Job Market Could Hurt Rentals

New York's Sixth points out that with the slowing economy, rentals in Jersey City, the mainstay of the fresh-out-of-college set, could take a serious hit this year. With layoffs adding thousands to the job applicant pool, new to the job market college grads could be priced out of everything but their parent's basement.

Marco & Pepe Impresses Food Blogger

New York foodies may find it surprising, but downtown Jersey City has fine dinning.
Grove Street eatery Marco and Pepe has won over one Queen's blogger:

"This was definitely a mature take on mac&cheese, and I was seriously wowed by it."

New Downtown Coffee Houses

Two new coffee houses are coming to downtown Jersey City, posts blog The Life Vicarious. Van Houtte Cafe has official posted information on the windows of its location in the base of the Montgomery-Greene condominium tower. Port City Java will open at Christopher and Varick Streets. The second downtown Starbucks opened last month in the base of Grove Pointe. Meanwhile, Rachel, a Grove Street cafe has permanently closed, as has Janam Tea House, which closed when the owners transfered to the West Coast.

William DeRosa New School Board President

The Jersey City Board of education has elected former history teacher William DeRosa president, notes Hudson Now.

Cunningham for Mayor Rumors

The Hudson Reporter notes Sandra Bolden-Cunningham made an appearance at the Coach House, a popular meeting location for Hudson County politicians. Meeting with officials allied with HCDO expat Brian Stack, Bolden-Cunningham maybe setting up to challenge the Hudson County Democratic Organization and run an opposition campaign to Mayor Healy.

The irony here is that the HCDO bumped long time ally Lou Manzo from the state senate ballot last year in favor of Bolden-Cunningham, hoping the state position would placate the inexperienced, albeit ambitious candidate. A state senate position is very powerful since senators have the ability to block state appointments within a county, which means Bolden-Cunningham could leverage her position to keep HCDO supporters from promotions.

Besides incumbent Mayor Healy, other possible mayoral candidates include downtown Councilman Steve Fulop, former assemblyman perpetual mayoral candidate Lou Manzo, and former mayor and gubernatorial candidate Bret Schundler. Mayoral elections in the city are non-partisan.

Summer Crime Wave Begins

A man was mugged by teens in Van Vorst Park, notes the Journal, beginning what might very well be a repeat of last year's crime wave. Late last spring, a sudden spurt of muggings and car break-ins sparked outrage. The gentrified downtown criticized the Jersey City police department for failing to provide a presence in neighborhoods with million dollar brownstones. After a protest rally in the park, uniformed officers made appearances in the downtown neighborhood for several nights to quell concerns. Reported crimes subsided in the fall.

Old Graveyard Languishes

The Journal reports that a downtown graveyard on Newark Avenue has fallen into disrepair. The 4 acre cemetery opened in 1829, but in 1999 the license expired.

Rollergirls Want You!

JC Register notes the Garden State Rollergirls League is recruiting new players. Meanwhile, Jersey City Uncovered writes up a bit about Jersey City's derby team, Bridge and Pummel.

Despite Phallic Towers, Jersey City Fails Sex Poll

The Goldman Sachs Tower might look like a giant vertical penis, but according to Men's Health, Jersey City ranks 93rd in a poll of best sex cities. The Hudson Reporter jumps in to ask why, despite fairing well on dating polls, Jersey City has fallen so far behind in actually having sex. Apparently, its all about the sex toys, and the fact that yuppies are too busy worrying about their careers to fornicate.

Monthly Whole Foods Rumors Surface

A post on the Wired Forums reignites rampant Whole Foods rumors.

Heights Apartment Complex Sold

GlobeSt.com reports a 21 unit apartment complex on Summit Avenue recently sold for $1.3 million, or about $63,000 per unit.

Bally Fitness Center Coming to Journal Square

JC Register noted a Bally Total Fitness center was coming to the Journal Square area back in February. JC Construction has posted some new photo updates of the new gym.

Guarini Gets Post Office

The downtown post office at Montgomery and Washington Streets will be named after Frank J. Guarini, a World War II veteran and former Congressman from Jersey City, notes the Journal. The official ceremony will be held on June 16.

Van Vorst Spring Planting

On Saturday, May 3, the Friends of Van Vorst Park will be organizing the annual spring planting between 9am and 3pm, notes a Wired JC post. Volunteers from Goldman Sachs, members of the Vorst Park dog run, and a neighborhood mother’s group will be participating in planting flowers, trimming trees and bushes, and cleaning up the park. Subia's will provide food.

Proposed Downtown Tower Shortened

New York's Sixth writes that the Bates Project, a proposed 12 story tower has since been shrunk to 7 stories.

Parking Authority Misspells Jersey

JC Register points out the city's parking authority has installed a sign spelling Jersey City as Jersry. Well done.

Monaco's Amended Abatement Back

An amended abatement for the Monaco Towers might still happen, reports the Journal. The two 47 towers needs a new abatement plan, claims developer Roseland properties who sought a change earlier this year after a downtown in the economy made securing financing more difficult. The city rejected those plans but may revisit the issue tonight.

Senators Bring Home Money for Brownfields

Senators Lautenberg and Menendez announced $400,000 will be coming to Jersey City to assess contamination sites in the city, including abandoned gas stations.

Press Release

Green Expo to be Held at Park

Liberty State Park will play host to the PSE$G Global Green Expo this weekend, NEW blog mentions. The events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be held in the historic railroad terminal and include speakers and seminars.

Global Green 2008

Swordsman Arrested

A guy had a sword and was arrested, notes Hudson Now. Note to self: keep sword in sheath.

Park to Become Wildlife Refuge

Liberty State Park will receive $32 million to convert 234 acres of land into a wildlife refuge, reports Newsday.com The contaminated section of park is currently fenced off.

Two Aprons Featured in Online Magazine

Online magazine Jersey City Uncoveredhas a write up on Two Aprons, a Paulus Hook cafe.

Online Petition Launched to Save School

Hudson Catholic suddenly announced last week the school would not reopen next year catching many students and area residents by surprise. JC Register notes that an online petition was launched in order to try and save the school.

Hospital to Provide Triage

Greenville Hospital is still going to close, but a triage center and ambulance will still be maintained on site, notes the Jersey Journal.

FiOS Turned On in Jersey City

Jersey City is among a new set of communities connected to Verizon's fiber optic services, the company announced. Details on the neighborhoods where the service is being offered were not released, though a cursory search revealed several downtown addresses are still unable to receive service. Verizon's fiber optic network is a new competitor to the one time cable monopoly with New Jersey granting the former phone company a statewide license for television broadcasts last year. The FiOS services offers a faster internet connection than most residential cable options. Verizon has not however, remedied their horrendous customer service.

City to Take Control of Schools

After 19 years of state control, the city school board will take control of Jersey City's schools, reports Hudson Now.

Pope to Disrupt PATH Service

The Pope will be visiting ground zero Sunday morning. The Port Authority will suspend PATH service into lower Manhattan and from Exchange Place between 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM.

Port Authority Press Release

ZipCar Adding More Vehicles

ZipCar, the time share car rental service, is adding more vehicles, notes a post on JCList. New vehicles are being added at NJ Transit stations around the state including the Liberty State Park station.

Tight Board of Ed Race May Not Conclude Until Friday

10 votes separate two candidates for the school board Hudson Now reports. Tuesday's election returned Mayor Healy supported incumbents Sue Mack and Peter Donnelly to the board, but the third seat between Rev. John McReynolds and Frances Thompson is still too close to call. McReynolds was also backed by Healy.

Yet Another Jersey City BBS Launched

The JC Board was launched today, entering an ever crowded playing field of online message boards dedicated to Jersey City. The board was launched largely in response to censorship on Kannekt where posts critical of advertisers are routinely deleted.

A similar issue arose last year between juggernaut message board JCList and the founders of competing board Wired JC. Some contend the issue between JCList moderators and Wired JC founders was a red herring fostered by members of the Wired JC community intended to garner interest in the new site.

Meanwhile, nothing but controversy surrounds another message board from the Newport section of the waterfront. Newport Voice, operated by the Newport Waterfront Association, is marred by the caustic personality of the organization's president and board moderator. Newport Voice serves as a platform employed for political attacks and accusations as much as communicating with residents. Many of those attacks are targeted at rival Newport Neighborhood Association. Those accusations culminated in hate speech and anti-gay slurs last year, reproduced here.

Another message board is the forums at the nearly unusable GetNJ, a site so poorly organized and cluttered with ads we couldn't find the link the message forums. NJ.com, the site of the Jersey Journal, also has a message board system that suffers from poor layout.

The carcases of defunct Jersey City message boards litter the internet. Jersey City Portal, JC Vibe, and Newport Resident remain online, but with few users. New York's Sixth closed up a message board a few months back.

School Superintendent Salary Above Average

School superintendent Charles Epps is set to get a raise from $242,000 up to $275,000 over the next three years. Blue Jersey points out that the average pay for superintendents is a mere $74,733. Coincidentally, school board elections are today between the hours of 2pm and 9pm.

Shelter Inundated With Animals

The Liberty Humane Society was the recipient of animals removed when courts ordered the HCSPCA shelter closed. The Journal notes that as a result, Liberty Humane is now short of volunteers and supplies for nearly 40 animals.

Catholic School Finished

Jersey City's Hudson Catholic High School is officially finished, reports ABC News. The school had been operating with a deficit of $650,000.

City Cracks Down on Commuter Vans

The city began pulling over commuter vans this morning in the Heights neighborhood looking for violations, writing tickets, and sending passengers in search of alternative options, notes Hudson Now.

Board of Education Elections Tomorrow

Tomorrow Jersey City is holding a board of Education Election between the hours of 2pm and 9pm. All previously registered voters are eligible.

New Online Magazine Launched

Jersey City Uncovered, an online magazine, was launched this weekend. The venture intends to publish on a weekly schedule, with articles in this week's issue focusing on Van Vorst Park volunteerism, parking boots, and more.

Court Shutters Animal Shelter

The Journal reports a court order the HCSPCA shelter to close due to reports of health violations, while animal activists have declared the closing the result of a witch hunt. The animals were removed and taken to the Liberty Humane Society.

Giant Cat a Giant Mystery

Apparently, Jersey City is the home of the World's Largest Cat, a 500lb former Macy's Parade float ornament. The cat has made appearances in Weird NJ and the New York Times. Blogger Into All That wanted to know more, and wrote up the findings.

PAD Residents Prepare Suit

The Hudson Reporter weighs in on changes to the Powerhouse District, noting residents plan to file a complaint within 30 days.

Church Street Station Closing Tonight

The Church Street entrance to the World Trade Center PATH Station is set to officially close tonight. The Greenwich Street entrance opened last week.

From Port Authority Press Center

Bridge and Pummel Opening Day

Jersey City Bridge and Pummel, the Jersey City roller Derby team face the Northern Nightmares tonight; last year the Nightmares trounced the Jersey City team, notes the Derby News Network. Tonight is the season opener at Newark’s Branch Brook Park Skating Center.

Bridge and Pummel

Library Hosting Free Business Seminar

The JC Library Blog points out a free small business seminar being offered entitled "Starting and Managing Your Small Business." The seminar is being hosted at the Perfecto Oyola Biblioteca Criolla Cultural Center in the downtown on May 15.

Street Artist Installs New Piece

JC Register notes a new installation by metal sculpturist Pappi has been installed at the intersection of Newark Avenue and Barrow Streets.

Powerhouse District Loses "Arts"

The city council voted to amend the Powerhouse District plan in favor of the Toll Brother's triple project, reports Hudson Now.

The Powerhouse Arts district was created in October of 2004 by many of the same elected officials who voted to amend the plan last night; JCList has a YouTube video from the 2004 council meeting where the PAD was created, put together by Underdevelopment.tv

Councilman Fulop and Council President Vega voted against amending the neighborhood plan.

PAD Residents Plan Suit

Tonight the city council faces the second reading of an ordinance amending the Powerhouse Arts District to allow nearly 1,000 units of housing in three towers in the neighborhood. The Journal reports that residents plan on suing if the council passes the ordinance.

Former Courthouse Going Condo

The former municipal court house on Montgomery Street near McGinley Square is currently being converted into market rate condominiums. JC Construction posted a rendering of the finalized project, as well as photos of the current progress on the site.

Light Rail Derails, Police Confuse JC With Soviet Union

JC Register posts a photo of derailed light rail train which solicited a grand response from Jersey City emergency personnel. More interesting though is the police reaction to a citizen journalist with a camera:

An officer at the scene asked me who I work for and then the individual told that me it was not legal for me to take photographs. I was also informed (the person assumed I was a member of the press) that “you know why and you should know better”.

In fact, photographers can snap photos from public streets. Back in 2005, NJ Transit decided to ban photography of their equipment and facilities. However, since NJ Transit is not a legislative body, their regulations are limited to NJ Transit property. Jersey City's public streets are not governed by NJ Transit regulations.

Heights Bus Discounted

Heights residents riding Central Avenue buses north of Journal Square are enjoying half off their tickets in an effort to boost ridership, notes the Journal. The round trip tickets cost $4; a $2 cash fare can be paid on the bus, but only in New Jersey. The round trip tickets can be purchased in advance with a fifty cent handling fee.

As Goes Manhattan, As Goes Jersey City

Housing prices in Jersey City are linked to those in Manhattan, claims RowHouser, pointing to an article in the times. Prices in the outer boroughs will hold up as long as the same is true in Manhattan, brokers say.

Pershing Field Carnival

A carnival has been set up in Pershing field, notes JC Register, though there does not seem to be a date set for a fair or festival.

Final PAD Vote Tomorrow

The final death blow to the Powerhouse Arts District could come tomorrow when the city council has a vote on the Toll Brothers proposal, the second reading of the ordinance to allow demolition of buildings and removal of a cobblestone street notes the Landmarks Conservancy.

From Curbed

Congestion Pricing Fails

Yesterday marked a federal deadline for the state of New York to approve the city's congestion pricing plan; at stake was $354 million in funds to set up the program that would charge drivers $8 to access the city's core, and promoted by Mayor Bloomberg. The plan was effectively killed by Democratic speaker Sheldon Silver.

“It takes a special type of cowardice for elected officials to refuse to stand up and vote their conscience on an issue that has been debated, and amended significantly to resolve many outstanding issues, for more than a year,” Mr. Bloomberg said. “Every New Yorker has a right to know if the person they send to Albany was for or against better transit and cleaner air.”

New York Times

"When people complain there are not enough trains and buses, you can point to all the state Assembly members," said Councilman Robert Jackson, a Manhattan Democrat. "It was right at their doorstep and they did not stand up for New York City."

AM NY

"I'm glad to see New York lawmakers recognize the flaws inherent in this congestion pricing plan and that we were able to stop discriminatory surcharges being applied to New Jersey drivers entering New York City," Governor Corzine said.

Bergen Record

Village Voice
Real Deal
Gothamist

Club H Fitness Opens

Club H, a massive new gym in the base of a downtown tower opened yesterday. The gym facilities are on par with the most expensive Manhattan fitness centers, with prices to match.

Park Plans Unveiled

The Star Ledger reports Jersey City unveiled a recreation master plan yesterday including a fishing pier, a marina, and renovation of Reservoir No. 3 as a park. However, the plan calls to rehabilitate and improve existing parks before moving ahead with the creation of new parks. The new parks that will be created included the Hackensack River Greenway along route 440 and an eventual park on the Sixth Street Embankment, or part of it, depending on the outcome of pending litigation.

County 5k Run, Park Walk

The Hudson County Improvement Authority is hosting a 5k run to benefit the county green fund in conjunction with Friends of Liberty State Park, on Saturday April 19th. Pre-registration is $17, day of registration is $20.

From Wired JC
PDF Flyer
Hudson County Improvement Authority
Friends of Liberty State Park

John's Pizzeria Open

Another gourmet pizzeria has opened downtown. John's Pizzeria took over the old Pronto Cena restaurant in Paulus Hook, and opened a few weeks ago, notes blog The Life Vicarious.

Erie Street Stop Signs

Downtown Councilman Steve Fulop writes that stop signs will be installed on Erie Street at Third and Seventh Streets, crosswalks will be repainted, and police will step up enforcement of illegally parked cars.

Square Banners Advertise City, Bank

New banner signs in and around Journal Square have been installed to promote "the new Journal Square" and Provident Bank, a sponsor, notes JC Register.

Duane Reade Open

The Grove Street Duane Reade opened today marking yet another milestone of the downtown's gentrification. The pharmacy is located in the base of Grove Pointe, next door to a the recently opened Starbucks. This is the second downtown Duane Reade, and the third for the city; the other two are located in Newport and Journal Square.

City to Create Special Tax Zones

The city is considering the creation of special tax allocation zones where property taxes and PILOT payments would be invested in higher risk, higher return markets, generating more revenue to be reinvested within the zones. Journal Square could be the first recipient under the plan, notes Hudson Now.

Tunnel Diner Slated for Demolition

The blog Lincoln Highway News notes that Jersey City's Tunnel Diner is slated for demolition. The diner closed a few months ago.

Jersey City Ranked 24th in Growth

U-Haul, the do-it-yourself moving company has ranked the top growth cities in the United States, based on their customer transactions. Newark ranked 17th on the survey, and Jersey City squeezed by as 24th on the list of cities with 5,000 to 10,000 family moves. Jersey City failed to make the list in 2006. However, since the data relies on U-Haul transactions, the data favors cities with less wealth; residents with more money are less likely to haul their own stuff.

Developer Offers Embankment With Catch

The Sixth Street embankment has long been the focal point of downtown preservationist efforts to create open space and save a piece of Jersey City's history. However, Conrail sold the land to developer Steve Hyman, and ever since the city, local activists, and Hyman have been in a legal battle over the fate of the 8 downtown blocks. The Journal reports Hyman now wants to play "let's make a deal," offering to sell the embankment to the city in exchange for rezoning land along Newark Avenue and providing tax abatements for future projects on the parcel.

Such a plan is unlikely to appease everyone. The rezoning Hyman wants would allow 4,000 units of housing on land zone for open space and low density housing. Even if the rezoning went through, there would be no provision to create a park as local community groups want, or to build a light rail line as Mayor Healy has proposed.

City Launches Transportation Survey

In an effort to understand travel patterns, the city has launched an online survey to determine how residents and commuters move about. The survey will be used to create a master plan by 2009, Jersey City Mobility 2050, underscoring a major problem with area transportation. PlanNYC 2030 is being developed unilaterally by the city of New York, but neither plan will be a success without the other.

From City Press Release

Author to Visit Downtown Bookstore

Joe Kolman, author of Naked Option, visits Jersey Avenue shop Imagine Atrium notes NEW blog. Kolman will appear tonight at 7pm.

Bands Announced For Hamilton Park Music Festival

The Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association has announced the bands for the June 14 music festival. The lineup includes The Black Hollies, All You Horseriders, The Lonesome Prairie Dogs, The Bryan Beninghove Collective, and The Nobuki Takamen Trio.

Vintage Store Reopens on Grove Street

Downtown Vintage Store Another Man's Treasure has moved from its Brunswick Street location to a recently vacated store front of Grove Street. The Grand Opening is at 7pm tonight, April 3rd, notes NEW blog. The vintage store replaces the Janam Indian Tea Shop which closed in February at 353 Grove Street.