Everything Festival Coming Back

Jersey City Height's Everything Festival is coming back this year on May 16, 2009. The event is a Central Avenue spectacular drawing attention to the Height's neighborhood and attracting several thousand people.

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.

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.

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.

Life in the Heights

A blogger named Holly documented a summer evening walk in Jersey City Heights, providing an interesting look at life in the neighborhood.

Syrup House Hilighted

A Jersey City Heights mansion owes its splendor to maple syrup, writes John Gomez for the Journal. The grand house even caught the eye of Journal editors nearly a hundred years ago as the house was erected.

City Residents Still Without Power

Jersey City was one of the hardest hit towns during Tuesday's storms and PSE&G is yet to turn the power back on for some residents, likely in the heights, notes Newsday.com

Storm Surges Power in Parts of City

Last night's thunderstorms sent power surges through parts of the city, notes Urban Semiotic. Jersey City Heights apparently felt the brunt of the fast moving electrical storms.

Heights Everything Festival

The Jersey City Heights neighborhood hosted the Everything Festival last week. The festival closed streets in the not-to-transit-accessible neighborhood leading to traffic snarls and parking nightmares. But transportation aside, the festival was a success. JC Register posts a photo side slow in case you missed it. Between 12,000 and 13,000 people attended.

Historic Synagogue Needs Repairs, Members

The historic Mount Sinai synagogue in Jersey City Heights once served as many as 500 families, but now only a few dozen worshipers attend regular services, notes the Jewish Standard. The synagogue is hoping for landmark status to become eligible for state funds for much needed repairs. The congregation's fortunes may be changing too as more young people move to back to Hudson County,

"If you are Jewish and live in Hudson county, it’s likely you are over 80 years old or under 40,"

10,000 Expected on Central Avenue

The Everything Festival on Central Avenue kicks off on Saturday with 10,000 expected, notes the Journal. With Central Avenue lacking direct access to the PATH or Light Rail, the festival should do wonders for traffic and parking in the area.

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.

Swordsman Arrested

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

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.

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.

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.

Heights Bus Service Returns

Jersey City Heights residents will soon have bus service from Palisade Avenue to New York thanks to NJ Transit, reports the Journal. Service was previously provided to Palisade Avenue by Red & Tan, which suspended service last year. NJ Transit's service will run less frequently though, with express buses bypassing stops on Palisades.

Hospital Lays Off 65

Costar Group notes that Christ Hospital on Palisade Avenue in Jersey City will be laying off 65 employees as of April 29.

Heights Housing Approved

The city council approved a 45 unit affordable housing plan for Summit Avenue, reports the Journal. The project will rely on state loans, city money, money provided by New Gold Equities resulting from a settlement with the city over the 111 First Street fiasco, and private investment. Upon completion, the units will be sold to low and middle income residents.

Easter Egg Hunts This Weekend

The City announced an Easter Egg hunt in the Winter Newsletter. Scheduled for March 15, that egg hunt is planned for Pershing Field at 1pm.

The Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association announced their own annual Easter Egg Hunt will be scheduled for Sunday, March 16 beginning at 3pm. They are looking for volunteers to help clean up the park and hide Easter eggs beginning at 1pm. For more information contact sjsesq@comcast.net.

From JCList and City Newsletter (PDF)

Central Avenue to Host Everything Festival

Jersey City and the Central Avenue Special Improvement District will host the Everything Jersey City Festival on Sunday, May 17. The street fair will include two music stages and the usual street fair booths. Organizers hope 5,000 to 10,000 people will attend.

Affordable Housing Planned

Hudson Now reports a 45 unit affordable housing project for Summit Avenue is going before the planning board, financed using a $2.5 million from 111 First Street developer New Gold Equities.