Bomb Scare at Liberty State Park

Hudson Now reports on today's bomb scare at Liberty State Park, courtesy of a big brown UPS truck, with photos.

Smith Polling Could Mean Another Contender for Mayor's Race

A thread on JCList mentions a new live poll being conducted in the city comparing positives and negatives of current Mayor Jerramiah Healy against former (Acting) Mayor L. Harvey Smith. Smith would join former Mayor Bret Schundler, downtown councilman Steven Fulop, and State Senator Sandy Bolden-Cunningham as possible mayoral contenders. The May 2009 election is already over shadowing November's presidential election in the city; the mayor and council are both up for re-election, and decisive incumbent losses could be mean a power shift and major blow to the Hudson County Democratic machine.

Ethics Reform Thwarted by Machine Politics

Downtown Councilman Steve Fulop's ethics reform referendum appeared ready for the ballot come November. Fulop worked for months to gather signatures to make his proposals a ballot referendum, putting the ballot reform to voters rather than council members.

The original ethics package was rejected by the city council when Fulop introduced it as an ordinance because among other things, the legislation would prevent council members from lining their pockets with taxpayer dollars and cut off their source of campaign cash by limiting contributions from patronage contract holders. In short, Fulop's ethics reform bill would have prevented Jersey City's elected officials from living large off taxpayers.

City officials originally told Fulop that he needed a little over 1,500 signatures for the referendum to appear on the ballot. Fulop, to the chagrin of city officials, produced petitions with enough signatures, at which point the city decided Fulop actually needed more than 12,000 signatures, as reported by the Journal.

Ethics Referendum Short on Signatures, Fulop Promises More

Downtown Councilman Steven Fulop's efforts to get an ethics referendum on the ballot fell short of the required signatures, but he intends to produce petitions with more signatures today, notes Hudson Now. The ethics reform package is similar to one Fulop introduced directly to the council. Other council members tabled the ordinance fearing the reform would cut of their source of campaign cash and patronage jobs.

Saturday is Nature Day

The Jersey City Reservoir Preservation Alliance points out that Saturday is Nature Day at the reservoir with events beginning at 10 am.

City Produces Video Selling Jersey City

The city has produced a short video briefly summarizing Jersey City's history and redevelopment-- a propaganda film highlighting everything great on this side of the Hudson. Special mention is made for the city's garish signs that have popped up in recent months. Underdevelopment.TV posts the video, pointing out the hypocrisy at minute 5 when the video goes on to discuss the artists in the Powerhouse Arts District.

Armory Under Renovation

Hudson Now updates us on the progress at the Jersey City Armory's renovation made possible with a a $1.7 million state grant.

South City Grill Gets New Chef

Second Helpings notes South City Grill corporate has hired a new executive chef who will oversee the chain. South City Grill has a location in Newport, and will be opening South City Prime, a steakhouse, in the Jersey City Westin hotel, set to open this fall.

Pizza Man Running for Downtown Seat

Downtown business owner Frank Scalcione is running for the Ward E council seat, notes Hudson Now. Scalcione owns Frank's Famous Italian Pizzeria on Monmouth Street, a downtown eatery. No word on whether his platform will include Pizza Party Fridays.

Taco Truck Takes Break

We Are New reports that Lucinda Burritos + Tacos, the well received taco truck from the Exchange Place area is taking a break after being told by 101 Hudson Street that the truck couldn't park in front of the building any more.

Two Jersey City Restaurants Best in State

NJ Monthly Magazine created a list of the 25 Best restaurants in the state, and two are located in Jersey City. Both eateries are located downtown. Ox, on Newark Avenue, opened last year. Edward's Steakhouse, on Marin Blvd, played host to Governor Jon Corzine a few weeks back.

Insurance Company Leases 100,000 Square Feet Downtown

Arch Insurance has taken a 106,815 square foot lease at Harbor Side Plaza 3, notes Commercial Property News. Harborside is reportedly 99.6% leased.

The Observer has a bit more; Arch insurance is consolidating two locations in Manhattan in Jersey City and subleasing their midtown space. Or something like that.

Jersey City Museum Free Through August

NEW blog reports that the Jersey City Museum has gone to summer hours-- but also free admission. Summer hours and free admission is good through August 24.

Fight Continues Over Downtown Warehouse

A judge will make a ruling over the downtown Butler Brother's Warehouse, reports the Journal. The building has also been cited for failure to have a fire suppression system. Watch for smoke if the judge rules the building should be preserved.

Festival Cancelled, Parade Still On

The Journal notes the Caribbean Festival has been canceled, but the parade will continue as planned.

G Bakery & Restaurant Reviewed

Blogger Laryssa reviews Newark Avenue eatery G Bakery & Restaurant.

Developer Wants to Demo Butler Brother's

Owner of the Butler Brother's warehouse is taking a lesson from neighbor Lloyd Goldman and claiming the historic warehouse is ready to collapse reports the Journal. The owner of the 1905 building says its ready to fall down and should be demolished. Rumors have long suggested the owner had been looking to replace the building with a high rise tower.

Hudson Restaurant Week Starts on 28th

Once again its time for Hudson Restaurant week, a showcase of restaurants in Hudson County. Restaurant week, modeled on a New York City phenomenon, encourages participants to provide a prix fixe menu offering multiple courses to diners in traditionally slow weeks. New to this season's restaurant week are The Embankment, Madame Claudes, Skinner's Loft, and John's Pizza.

For more information, visit Hudson Restaurant Week.

City Offers Visions of Square

The city showcased potential visions of a transformed Journal Square at a workshop last night, reports the Journal. The presentation included photographs of other downtown districts.

Central Avenue Improvement District Posts Newsletter

The Central Avenue Special Improvement District has posted a summer newsletter online (PDF) highlighting new store facades in the heights business district, activities at the Pershing Field reservoir, and reiterating the success of the "everything" festival.

City Blood Drive Today

A blood drive in Jersey City is taking place in the downtown PACO Community Center, notes Hudson Now.

Jersey City Builds "Workers'" Housing

Jersey City may be gentrifying, but that doesn't mean working class folks need to move out as the city has taken to building affordable, "working class" housing, reports the Times. In this case, several units in a Greenville project being made available.

More on New County Building

The Hudson Reporter offers a bit more on the proposed new county administration building, which includes the courts. The Newark Avenue building has needed replacing for at least twenty years, but government officials weary of spending tax dollars have postponed new plans. One proposal calls for a 19 story tower.

Fulop Building Ticket

Downtown Councilman and expected Mayoral candidate Steven Fulop is building a ticket even though he isn't declared yet in the race, reports Politicker NJ.

Lead Keeps Turning Up in School Water

Lead keeps appearing in water from tests in Jersey City schools, reports the Journal

Church Redevelopment Delayed Over Parking

The Journal reports the zoning board postponed the review of the conversion of Saint Boniface with angered residents upset over the lack of parking.

Feast of Saint Carmen

The Journal reports Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on Broadway celebrated the Feast of Saint Carmen yesterday with a procession and fireworks.

St. Boniface Goes Before Zoning Board

The conversion of St. Boniface from a Catholic church to condominium building heads before the zoning board tonight. Neighbors of the project are decrying the proposal because it doesn't include a hideous parking garage; apparently, there really isn't any accounting for taste.

Saint Boniface and the rectory are on First Street. The developer would build a new townhouse on Second Street where the abandoned parking lot is, currently encircled with rusting chain link fence. The variance calls for combining the lots into a single condominium lot, and the residences would share a common courtyard.

Healy Calls Schundler Homophobic

Next year's mayoral election seems far more important in Jersey City than does the upcoming Presidential race. Healy called out Bret Schundler for his anti-gay policies, reports Politicker NJ. Schundler's latent conservative values materialized during his run for Governor against now outed Jim McGreevey in an attempt to attract conservative voters. Apparently, that platform failed. Schundler, who is eager to invade France, may find that demographics in Jersey City have changed since he left the mayor's office in 2001, with many referring to the downtown as the new gayborhood.

Oh, the Carts, the Carts!

Curbed picks up the BJ's Shopping Cart fiasco. BJ's carts still running wild.

Obama Supporters to Drink at Embankment

A social event for Obama Supporters will take place on August 19th, in downtown restaurant / bar, The Embankment. The minimum contribution is $15.

City Judges Indicted

The Jersey City judges who got caught fixing tickets were indicted, notes Politicker NJ.

BJ's Shopping Carts Litter City

Big Box retailer BJ's Wholesale Club has done nothing about their shopping carts scattered around Jersey City. A thread on JCList began discussing the problem back in May. New York's Sixth exposes half a dozen shopping carts left around the downtown. Yet the plague of bright red shopping carts continues.

Other downtown big box retailers don't seem to have the problem-- A&P, ShopRite, and Target have electronic locking mechanisms on their carts, and PathMark has barriers around their store to prevent escaping carts. Meanwhile, BJ's shopping carts collect in the basements of luxury residential apartment buildings and end up miles from the downtown store.

Perhaps its time to take a cue from the folks down under; an Australian town solved their "trolley" problem by fining merchants $75 for every cart left lying about.

Schundler Wants "Get Out of Debt Free" Card

Bret Schundler's campaign owes nearly $200,000 in legal fees and campaign consultants, and now he doesn't want to pay his bill. The Star Ledger reports the former mayor is trying to close out his campaign account while still owing $120,290 to a law firm and another $60,812 to a D.C. based consulting firm. Often times politicians attempt to weasel their way out of campaign debts after losing a critical election, and it seems this mayoral candidate is no different.

City Adjusts Building Rules

In response to accidents at work sites in Jersey City as well as in Manhattan, the city has updated construction guidelines and is empowered to fine construction sites up to $2,000 reports the Journal. Of course, without a 311 system, residents and workers have no way of alerting the city of problems.

Paulus Hook Getting Grocery Store

New York's Sixth notes (third item) a rumor that a grocery store is finally coming to Paulus Hook in the base of the Liberty Towers. The downtown neighborhood has long been without its own grocery store.

Sink Hole to Keep Marin Closed

A sink hole on Marin Blvd, the result of a broken water main, will keep two lanes of the road closed while repair crews attempt to correct the problem, reports the Journal.

Sink Hole Opens on Marin

A four foot deep sink hole opened on Marin Blvd, reports Hudson Now. The hole opened up between the Newport Mall and the Jersey City Fire Department.

Armani Exchange Coming to Newport Mall

The Life Vicarious writes that Armani Exchange will be coming to Newport Mall, as well as a rumored Ruehl No. 925., an Abercrombie spin off.

Two Candidates May Divide Downtown

Politicker NJ reports downtown Councilman Steven Fulop is rebuffing Schundler's offer to hijack the councilman's efforts in ethics reforms. Former mayor and presumed candidate Bret Schundler offered to appear at a press conference with Fulop endorsing the ethics reform ballot.

Fulop worked tirelessly to ensure the package appears on November's ballot, and a joint press conference now would likely do more for Schundler's campaign than the ethics reform package would gain from his appearance. The perception is that both Fulop and Schundler would split downtown voters, where both have strong support.

Old Economy Out as New Economy Ushered In

A week after Lehman Brother's was tempted with an offer of tax breaks to expand operations by 500 employees in Jersey City, a textile distributor is ready to leave the city for Columbus Ohio. Barwil Industries may relocate to Columbus reports the Columbus Dispatch, after being offered an incentive of nearly $1 million and some beads and trinkets.

The two news stories represent a fundamental job shift in Jersey City. While the city is encouraging high paying "knowledge jobs" like financial services, traditional working class jobs are disappearing.

Iron Monkey Plans, Another Man's Treasure Uncovered

Downtown lounge / bar/ restaurant Iron Monkey is focusing on food writes Jersey City Uncovered. The menu is being revamped and a building renovation is expected to begin in the fall. Other items include a look at Another Man's Treasure and a conversation with councilman Fulop.

Hungry Residents Will Be Edumacated

Two schools are to be built on a Summit Avenue lot in Jersey City Heights after getting a boost in funding reports the Journal.

The Central Avenue Stop&Shop had long hoped to turn the plot of land into a state of the art, urban style grocery store before the land was seized for school construction by the state, six years ago. While schools are sorely needed, so are quality grocery stores. A new Stop&Shop in the heights likely would have attracted not only local Heights residents but also downtown shoppers dissatisfied with the paltry offerings in downtown stores.

In total, the state will spend close to $70 million on an elementary school and an early childhood center.

Library Hall Officially Opens

Library Hall, a gentrified development in mostly yet to gentrify Bergen Hill, finally opened officially, notes a press release. The 1866 meeting house was converted into an 12 unit building over the last three years.

New Area Transit Site Aims to Ease Commute

A new website was launched over the weekend to aims to aggregate area transportation alternatives in one, easy to use place. JC Transit.com includes bus, ferry, light rail and PATH schedules, as well as information on parking and taxis.

PATH App for the Gullible

Coinciding with the launch of its newest iPhone, Apple launched an application store to sell software for the phone and Touch iPod. One of the programs available at launch is iTrans PATH, a $5 application designed to provide easy access to the PATH system map and schedule. Unlike the nebulous MTA system, the PATH is a mere four routes, and the entire system map is available from the Port Authority for free, and NYNJ.net provides "next train" schedule information, also for free.

Greenville Blog Launched

Some enterprising folks over in Greenville have launched a neighborhood blog. Accompanying the blog is a host of community-centric web stuff, like messages boards.

City Government Closer to Ethics Reform

Politicker NJ reports that Steven Fulop turned in petition signatures to add an ethics reform package to the November ballot as a referendum. The measures would make Jersey City ethics legislation some of the toughest in the state, and cut off tax payer subsidies of the Hudson County Democratic Organization.

One of reforms address no bid contracts-- the contracts awarded by the council to cronies in exchange for political contributions. Under the ordinance, campaign contributors could not recipients of city contracts, a huge source of revenue for friends of city government.

City officials would also be barred from collecting more than one public salary or pension. The practice of holding multiple public offices in many cases allows politicians to double or triple their salaries -- and their pensions -- at taxpayer expense.

Critics contend that reforms do little to thwart crooked campaign contributions. Contractors often find creative ways to distribute money to party officials legally, but circumventing restrictions.

Either way, assuming the County Clerk certifies the signatures on the ballot, the referendum will appear in November.

30 More Cops Join Force

Jersey City will have 30 new police officers by January notes Hudson Now. Meanwhile, a new web service was been launched allowing local residents to rate police officers. RateMyCop is similar to other "web 2.0" services where users log in and leave feedback.

Burgers

JC Register points out that the new Journal Square McDonalds is very close to opening, while the McGinley Square Burger King was very close to closing. The Jersey City Burger King was heavily indebted to corporate and closure was threatened.

Recycling Buildings

The Star Ledger notes that historic condo buildings like Dixon Mills might have more character than generic high-rise towers. Canco, the Beacon, Saint Francis, Park Foundry, and Majestic all get name dropped.

Owen Grundy Park Opens Today

Owen Grundy Park, a downtown pier that has spent 18 months being renovated, opened today. New York's Sixth has photos of the park.

Downtown Church to Become Condos

The Journal reports that Saint Boniface, a former Catholic church on First Street, received approval from the historic preservation commission to convert the property into 14 residential condos. Downtown neighborhoods are punctuated by numerous churches that, with the arrival of Godless yuppies, have seen a steady drop in membership.

Godiva in at Newport Mall

The Life Vicarious notes that Godiva chocolate has opened in the mall, and Cafe Ritazza has closed in Paulus Hook.

As Real Estate Slows, Incentives Increase

Area real estate sales have slowed with major housing projects delayed or stalled as the market sours. GroveStreet JC reviews an open house in a downtown tower, the Waldo Lofts, that opened last year. A $15k closing cost fee is being offered as an incentive.

County Considers New Courthouse

The aging Newark Avenue building has been awaiting replacement since at least 1988. Now the Freeholders are once again giving serious consideration to replacing the structure, reports the Journal. The proposed designs range in price from $300 to $350 million dollars, though after accounting for patronage, ineptitude, and unforeseen delays, the costs are likely to be much higher.

Lehman Offered Incentives for More Workers in Jersey

Lehman Brothers was offered $20 million to bring 400 jobs and create 100 more in New Jersey, reports BusinessWeek. Most of those jobs are likely to be in Jersey City.

Financial incentives like the one being offered Lehman are credited with the Jersey City office boom that resulted in such icons like the Goldman Sachs tower. However, in more recent years, office rents have remained comparatively low leaving many proposed office towers on hold. Some, like 77 Hudson, were canceled entirely, and now are condominiums and rental apartments.

Tires Latest Target in Theft

Spare tires are disappearing from cars in the downtown as the sour economy leads thieves to find alternative sources of income. Multiple tires have been stolen from the back of vehicles in the Van Vorst Park neighborhood, notes a JCList thread.

Naked Baby Rescued from Traffic

Local Jersey City DJ Harvey King discovered a toddler wandering around King Drive and turned her over to police reports the Journal.

Liberty State Park Fireworks Kick-off at 9:15, Festival 2pm

Jersey City's Independence Day celebration starts today at 2pm in Liberty State Park with concert performances leading up to the fireworks show. The fireworks will start at approximately 9:15. Liberty State Park is easily accessible by the Hudson Light Rail line, Liberty State Park Station.

PATH to Increase Service for Fireworks

The PATH system will run on a Sunday schedule on Friday, July 4th. However, additional trains will be added between 6pm and midnight to accommodate travelers headed into and out of the city for the New York fireworks display sponsored by Macy's, in the East River.

Cochrane Stadium to Get Artificial Turf

Cohrane Stadium will be getting artificial turf installed, notes the Journal, and hopefully with less lead than other area fields.

Walk Through India Square

JC Register posts a few photos of India Square at night.

Governor Dines Downtown

A post on JCList notes Governor Jon Corzine was seen dining at downtown eatery, Edward's Steakhouse. Corzine keeps an apartment in neighboring Hoboken.

Skinner's Loft Uncovered

Jersey City Uncovered writes up a positive little piece on Skinner's Loft, a Newark Avenue bar and restaurant that opened a little less than a year ago. The establishment has revamped is menu several time in the last year.

Downtown Office Tower Retains Tenants

101 Hudson Street retains a major lease holder Mack-Cali announced. Tullett Prebon Holdings Corp leased more than 100,000 square feet of space, or a little less than 10% of the 1.1 million square foot tower.

Cheap Gas on 1&9

The Journal reports that gas stations along 1&9 north of Tonnelle circle are engaged in a mini price war, leading to lower prices. There is no mention as to whether or not these stations passed May's state inspections. In May, the State inspected a quarter of gas station in the state, and found a number were cheating customers or displaying incorrect pricing information, including several in Jersey City.

World Trade Center Delayed, Incompetence Strangely Absent from List of Reasons

The Port Authority updated the status of progress at the World Trade Center reports the Times. While much of the project is delayed by years and billions of dollars, the Port Authority refused to provide an updated schedule there by ensuring they will not miss future deadlines.

More importantly though, the PATH transit hub continues to be the primary target of cost cutting measures with the design for the once inspiring structure still under revision. The final design for the station is not even finished, but might cost $2.5 billion. PATH riders should get used to the existing configuration of the station, because the Port Authority may make the temporary access point permanent.

Many New York politicians are pushing for the Port Authority to take over for the Moynihan / Penn Station Expansion project, thereby ensuring that project will also be delayed and over budget. The expansion of Penn Station and the subsequent addition of two more heavy rail tunnels between north Jersey and New York should relieve PATH congestion, at least temporarily. For now, Hoboken serves as a transit hub for half of NJ Transit trains, many of which will be sent directly to midtown once the new Trans Hudson Tunnels and Penn Station Expansion are finished.