JERSEY CITY — Despite still unresolved social issues similar to those in the Hoboken bar scene, the Jersey City council voted on June 27 to adopt an ordinance that would expand the Newark Avenue pedestrian plaza two additional blocks west to Jersey Avenue.
With only a handful of residents speaking for or against the issue, the council refused to require a six-month sunset clause — proposed by Councilman Michael Yun – that would automatically terminate the ordinance if problems similar to the after-hours social problems at the existing pedestrian mall are not resolved.
Last month, the city implemented new rules regarding rooftop activities in some of the food establishments as well as rules regulating people lingering in the mall after taverns have closed.
Jeff Geist, a resident of nearby Bay Street, called the existing mall “night club row” and opposed the expansion.
Robert Jones, another resident of the area, supported the expansion, noting that he takes his child to daycare and feels safer in an area where car traffic is restricted.
Councilman James Solomon, who represents the area, acknowledged the unresolved social issues and said he would work to resolve them over the next few months. But Solomon said he opposed putting a sunset clause in the ordinance.
Solomon and Council President Rolando Lavarro said they would revisit the issue in the fall to see if the social problems were resolved.
Yun, however, was concerned about the $1 million work the city would engage in closing the new section of Newark Avenue — money he said would be wasted if the city later rescinded the ordinance.
Ward F Councilman Jermaine Robinson said he supported the concept and pointed to how few objectors there were to the proposed expansion. He said he would like to use the area as a model for a similar pedestrian plaza for Ward F.
David Rapaport, an attorney representing one of the property owners in the expanded area, said a map showed that his clients’ property would be negatively affected by a proposed loading zone.
Councilman Daniel Rivera assured the attorney that the city will be able to modify the loading zone so as to have less impact on the property owner.
Solomon, however, had more serious concerns about Mayor Steven Fulop’s use of an executive order last month to establish a 30-day trial period on the plaza.
While the city’s legal department claimed the mayor – who oversees operations on all city-owned property including roads – had authority to close the street to expand the plaza, Solomon said it set a bad precedent in circumventing the authority of the council. – By Al Sullivan
