By a slim margin, the Jersey City council adopted The Exchange Place Alliance’s $9.5 million budget despite public concerns.

The alliance runs the Exchange Place Special Improvement District. Residents who spoke out alleged a lack of transparency, highlighting proposed renovations to Exchange Place and pending litigation that alleges violations of the Open Public Meetings Act.

Krystyna Piorkowska urged the council to oppose the SID’s budget because she said it includes the construction of an access road that would remove 37 percent of Exchange Place from public use.

“The SID hasn’t made any documents available to the community despite repeated requests in writing,” she said.

Councilman Rich Boggiano asked for more clarification from the administration before he motioned to have the resolution on the budget pulled.

“That’s a shame none of us know what’s going on there,” said Boggiano. “That area belongs to the people of Jersey City.”

He said for years all types of community groups gathered there for events. In recent years they haven’t been able to, though Councilwoman Denise Ridley said that was a choice of the city’s Cultural Affairs Department, not the SID.

“The problem here is we haven’t gotten any clarification as to what’s going on at Exchange Place,” said Boggiano. “There’s a lawsuit involved now that we understand, and you know we just found out that a good part of the park, of that area, is going to be taken up with this road that conveniences the hotel.”

Gender-neutral signage

Councilman Yousef Saleh seconded the motion, but it failed with a 3-4 -1 vote as Councilmen Boggiano, Yousef Saleh, and Rolando Lavarro voted to pull the resolution. Ridley abstained.

Lavarro asked if the SID would come before the council for approval before renovations begin, but Nicholas Strasser of the city’s law department said if they approve the SID’s budget, it gives them a blessing to spend the money as approved in the budget, but if the project includes giving away public right of way or the privatization of public land, then it would need to come before the council for approvals.

Solomon said he’d spoken with the SID’s executive director who promised to host a public meeting to discuss the renovations, noting that it was his understanding that the SID would not need to come before the council but rather the Planning Board for approvals.

The council approved the resolution 5-3, with Boggiano, Saleh, and Lavarro voting no.

Council President Joyce Watterman, who sits on the SID’s board, was absent.

At the same meeting, the council unanimously adopted an ordinance stipulating that all Jersey City businesses with single-occupancy restrooms will have to use gender-neutral signage.

Businesses will have 60 days from the time the ordinance goes into effect to comply.

The ordinance, sponsored by Councilman James Solomon, also changes the city’s construction code to mandate the signage for all new construction that has single-occupancy bathrooms.

“This is layup,” said resident Gary Spingarn, adding that it “rids us of an unnecessary alienating and discriminating practice.”

Solomon said this was a “small but an important step for the city to demonstrate that it is truly an inclusive city,” noting that “everyone has a right to feel safe in a public space.”

For updates on this and other stories follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Marilyn Baer can be reached at [email protected].

After undergoing $500,000 in renovations, Ferris Triangle Park has officially reopened to residents with a ribboncutting.

The park, in Jersey City’s Greenville section, now includes a new ADA compliant playground and a splash pad with push-button activation offering a respite from the sweltering heat as record-breaking temperatures plague the county.

The administration worked closely with the neighboring Triangle Park Community Center to ensure the new park would encourage community and meet residents’ needs.

The Jersey City Open Space Trust Fund funded the $500,000 in upgrades which took six months to complete.

‘Cool off and have fun in the sun’

“Triangle Park has been a priority under our Open Space Trust Act with a goal of reclaiming the public park space to bring out its fullest potential for the benefit of neighborhood residents, and so we worked directly with the community to understand their needs and bring them to fruition,” said Mayor Steven Fulop. “This is a great way to kick off summer, especially for many of the local children and families as these park improvements provide an easily accessible outdoor recreational space where they can cool off and have fun under the sun.”

The once passive park, along Old Bergen Road, underwent comprehensive construction to include substantial green infrastructure for beautification and storm water absorption. The park’s upgrades also include new seating and tables, flagpole, signage, and lighting fixtures, among other improvements.

“The Triangle Park renovation is a great example of collaboration between residents and their local government,” said Ward A Councilwoman Denise Ridley. “Members of the Triangle Park community worked to have this park restored, and we will continue to work together to keep the park activated and in good condition.”

The Triangle Park Community Center, a ministry of Episcopal Jersey City, will use the park for community events and programming.

“The reopening of Ferris Triangle Park brings a new revival, one filled with hope and promise that the stigma of the old park stays in history,” said Monica Shaw, director of the Triangle Park Community Center. “Today, Ferris Triangle Park begins a new chapter of progress. Let the community take ownership and pride to create a fresh narrative for our youth, families, and seniors to cherish!”

“This park has seen generations of neglect but will now have the chance to empower local businesses and strengthen community bonds,” said Trustee of the Jersey City Parks Coalition Patrick Ambrossi. “The Jersey City Parks Coalition looks forward to partnering with the surrounding community and city officials for the rebirth of this park – to bring fun and energizing events to Triangle Park. We are excited to see the impact of the Jersey City Open Space Trust Fund, specifically in Triangle Park, where 100 percent of these improvements have been funded through the Open Space Trust Fund. We are proud to have been advocates for and work with Mayor Fulop and his administration to make this a reality.”

In April, Riverview-Fisk Park  in Jersey City Heights officially reopened after a $2.1 million renovation, and the city broke ground on a $6 million renovation to Reservoir 3. The following month, Jersey City officially broke ground on the expansion of  Fairmount Triangle Park in Ward F. 

For updates on this and other stories follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Marilyn Baer can be reached at [email protected].

Eight alleged members of a Jersey City gang associated with the Marion Gardens Housing Complex have been charged by indictment with racketeering, violent crimes in aid of racketeering, drug trafficking, and firearms offenses, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig.

The indictment charges Jervon Morris, aka “Sticky,” 32; Jalil Holmes, aka “Broad Day,” aka “BD,” 21; Kevin Williams, aka “KK,” aka “Kay,” 27; Jakeem Gibson-Madison, aka “Beanz,” 27; K’shawn Jackson, aka “Lil Kay,” 21; Lakief Grayson, aka “Lala,” aka “La Greaz,” 30; Willie Williams, aka “Willz,” 30; and Terick Rogers, aka “Moot,” 29, all of Jersey City.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s statement, the charges stem from a long-running investigation by the FBI, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Jersey City Police Department.

According to court documents, those indicted are allegedly members and associates of a neighborhood street gang associated with the Marion Gardens Housing Complex.

The court documents reference several social media posts, videos,  and photographs of the men flashing the Marion Gardens street gang sign or referencing the gang.

Also known as the Marion-300 gang, it has historically consisted of alleged members and associates of the “Brim” and “Sex, Money, Murder” subsets of the Bloods gang, operating within the Marion Gardens Housing Complex.

Members allegedly use a hand sign that is made by extending the pinky, ring, and middle fingers and joining the thumb and pointer fingers.

Members of this gang allegedly distribute crack cocaine and heroin, among other controlled substances, in and around Marion Gardens. Their alleged assaults, shootings, and murders target rival gang members from other public housing complexes known as “Wilkinson” and “SaLaf.”

Eight years of violence

These violent crimes stretch back to at least 2011 when on July 28, Morris, Kevin Williams, and another alleged gang member allegedly murdered “Victim A.C.” in the area of Gifford Avenue and Bergen Avenue in Jersey City.

On Nov. 5, 2017, alleged gang members and associates allegedly shot “Victim C.C”. in the area of Van Nostrand Avenue and Bergen Avenue and on Nov. 26, alleged members allegedly shot “Victim T.C.” in the area of Warner Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive.

On Dec. 3, 2017, Holmes and other alleged members and associates allegedly murdered “Victim R.S.” in the area of Warner Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive in Jersey City.

On Feb. 7, 2018, Kevin Williams and another alleged member of the gang allegedly assaulted “Victim R.B.” in the area of Summit Avenue and Magnolia Avenue in Jersey City.

On June 30, 2018, Holmes, Rogers, and Jackson allegedly shot five people – “Victim K.C.”, “Victim D.A.”, ”Victim J.W.”, “Victim C.F.”, and “Victim R.H.” – while celebrating “Meech Day” in honor of a deceased gang member.

On July 6, 2018, Holmes, Jackson, Gibson-Madison, and at least one other alleged gang member allegedly traveled to the area of Wilkinson Avenue, at which time “Victim A.W.” and “Victim R.H.” were shot.

On Jan. 9, 2019, Holmes and Gibson-Madison traveled to the area of Grant Avenue and Ocean Avenue to allegedly retaliate for the murder of a gang member, at which time Holmes allegedly shot “Victim M.G.” and “Victim T.S.” and attempted to shoot “Victim E.M.”

The final act of violence cited in the court documents occurred on June 9, 2019, when one member of the gang had been shot by a rival gang and he allegedly attempted to shoot back .

Joint effort

All eight men are charged with racketeering which, if convicted, could mean life in prison. They also face various weapons and drug related offenses.

Honig credited the FBI, Hudson County Prosecutor Office, and the Jersey City Police Department with the investigation leading to the indictment.

The investigation was conducted as part of the Jersey City Violent Crime Initiative (VCI) which was formed in 2018 for the sole purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Jersey City.

The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the ATF, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Jersey Division, the U.S. Marshals, the Jersey City Police Department, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Parole, the Hudson County Jail, and the New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

For updates on this and other stories follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Marilyn Baer can be reached at [email protected].