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Hoboken’s new municipal complex vision gets a public airing

Mark Koosau, Staff Writer
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Hoboken’s new municipal complex vision gets a public airing

The city of Hoboken laid out it’s newest version of the municipal complex proposal, and discussed the costs of the project and other aspects during a community meeting Monday night.

Originally slated to be a new municipal works garage as part of the Monarch agreement, the city has expanded its vision and proposed a new municipal complex in the northwest end of the city, a facility that will include public safety departments, city offices and community spaces.

Mayor Ravi Bhalla said that the current police, fire and public works facilities are worn out, and that the city is also looking at other community needs, such as recreation and the public library, to ultimately create a place for the long term.

“What we’ve proposed with professionals that are a lot more talented than I am is a municipal complex that can meet multiple essential city functions, and create a much better quality of life for our residents,” he said. “This is what I think residents of the city of Hoboken deserve.”

Newest version of proposal

The city had initially held a virtual meeting going in-depth on the project proposal last month, and made changes based on the feedback they received since then. Architect John Nastasi said that the public wanted to have the 15th St. side, which was going to be the fire station, to be more community based, as well as having a municipal pool at the complex.

In the newest version of the proposal, the Department of Public Works would be on 16th St. across from the Hudson Hudson Sewerage Authority. The front of the building would be the fire department, and above the DPW would be the police headquarters, as well as the Office of Emergency Management.

“You can imagine in a city like this with 55,000 people, under one roof, we have all the public safety,” said Nastasi. “When there’s a crisis event, we could have joint efforts, have shared spaces and have fire, police, OEM and public works working together under the same roof.”

One of the public’s most requested features were creating a community space and having a pool. Photo by Mark Koosau.

The 15th St. side of the complex would be the community building for public access, such as having art classes, going to the north branch of the library or reserving space for a community meeting. The roof of the lower building could also be a community park and municipal pool.

The project would also have a new city courthouse, City Council chambers and city offices. It could also potentially have a 549 vehicle parking garage, a recreational center and a field house.

The city presented four options for the complex: the base option, one that includes the municipal pool and parking, one that also includes the recreational center, and one that also includes the indoor field house, and sought for additional feedback from residents on the proposal.

Costs of the project

The overall budget for the project would cost at least $152.2 million, with $115 million for public services, $18 million for sitework, and $19.5 million for site acquisition. Adding the pool and parking would cost $10 million more, adding the recreation center would cost an additional $20 million, and the field house would cost another $10 million more.

The city administration said that they want to have as little taxpayer impact as possible in creating the project. Environmental Services Director Jennfier Gonzalez said that they’re looking at multiple sources, starting with private funding from PILOT agreements for the LCOR Site 2 PILOT at $21.5 million and the Neumann Leathers PILOT at $31.7 million.

Once they use up their developer options, they’ll then look at potential assets that the city currently owns that they could redevelop, such as the police and fire headquarters, the fire museum, the automated garage and the North Lot (though they would consider the lot if the pool and recreation options were selected), which would all be worth another $55 million.

The municipal complex proposed is estimated to cost at least $152.2 million. Photo by Mark Koosau.

They could also have contributions from the Hoboken Public Library for the uptown library branch, and grant funding such as the FIRE Act Authorization.

The potential taxpayer contribution over 30 years for the project would be at least $28.5 million and up to $38.5 million. Referencing the later amount, Gonzalez said that it would cost taxpayers about $130 per year.

“This is just a starting point,” she said. “We are continuing to work and get more and more details, and more potential funding sources, namely developer funding.”

Gonzalez said that consolidating their facilities would result in resource sharing and operational savings for residents, and there would also be financial savings from developing one building instead of multiple.

The Poggi factor

The city wants to locate the complex at 1501 Adams St., the site of the Poggi Press building. But the property’s owner, Charlie Poggi, is opposed, saying he wants to redevelop the property himself.

Poggi said in a statement that the city’s plan is “voodoo math,” and questioned the city’s usage of PILOT money. “The city is willing to give more tax breaks to developers to pay for its complex – but the reality is that the city can’t pay for its project by diverting revenue needed to provide services and pay employees,” he said.

“I believe my original redevelopment proposal would have been better for the city and the residents of the North End,” he continued.

The City Council adopted an ordinance last month to allow the city to buy the property or acquire it through condemnation, known as eminent domain. A $40 million bond ordinance to acquire the property has been held off the agenda since then.

When asked about Poggi’s opposition to the plan, Bhalla said that they want to work “very cooperatively” with him and reach an agreement.

For updates on this and other stories, check hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Mark Koosau can be reached at mkoosau@hudsonreporter.com or his Twitter @snivyTsutarja.

A bygone era

Al Sullivan, Senior Staff Writer
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A bygone era

The standing room only crowd at Little City Books in Hoboken was more than a little nostalgic on April 4 when David Goodwin, author of “The Left Bank of the Hudson: Jersey City and the Artists of 111 First Street” read from his book and talked about the story’s implications for the arts community.
Goodwin and the audience seemed nostalgic about what 111 First St. had been, and perhaps more for what it could have been. The community of artists that once occupied the former factory building, in no small part due to Goodwin’s book, has taken on mythical proportions.
Many in the room seemed caught up in the same awe of that community as many of an earlier generation felt about the gathering of tribes at the Woodstock festival in 1969.
But instead of a coming together that lasted only three days, the community of artists that lived and worked at 111 First St. thrived for almost two decades before the dream collapsed.
In 2007, a demolition crew knocked down the old warehouse that had stood for more than a century and had served as a home for a community of artists since the early 1990s. The demolition came as the final chapter in a long-fought and bitter legal battle between the Jersey City government, developers, the property owner, and the artists who hoped to preserve the building as work space.
Today the building is nothing more than a pile of bricks in an empty lot, a structure stripped of its historic preservation status, leaving many of the artists to wonder just what cyclone had torn apart their lives.

Doing everything right; but it still went wrong

The community at 111 First St. was an outgrowth of an early 1980s squatters’ movement in New York City, where artists fought against the encroachment of gentrification by occupying buildings left vacant by developers. At the time, rising rents made it impossible for artists to survive in what had previously been a Mecca for the arts. Many artists fled New York seeking affordable space in Jersey City.
Some of these artists believed they had learned from the mistakes of the squatter movement by legally occupying 111 First St., and then by lobbying the city to put safeguards in place that would protect them against the rapid development of the waterfront a few blocks east.
In many ways, the Jersey City arts community had history against them as well as developer’s hunger to redevelop the waterfront. Studies on urban development point to a consistent trend where artists seek out affordable rundown areas, make them attractive to new development, and then get priced out by the new population moving in.
Goodwin’s book is a history of a battle that strongly resembles the conflict of The Alamo, where artists were pitted against overwhelming forces in their attempt to defy history and create a community that could survive.
Lynn Mullins, a local artist and DJ from Jersey City-based, WFMU, said the book is also about community.
“Arts make a community,” she said, noting that she moved to Hoboken in 1989 and has experienced some of the issues faced by the arts community.
“Many people don’t get to walk into a studio and see art in process,” she said. “They get to see the final product. But this book talks about in-between and how artist made community.”
She said the early history of the building involved an enlightened company that saw the factory as a place to provide an education and guidance for its employees. “This is more than just about the loss of a building; it is also about the loss of a community.”
In her blurb for the book, she said, “The P. Lorillard Tobacco Company at 111 First Street exemplified a failure of government policy and imagination cautionary tale for areas that are seeing rapid development and gentrification.”

Still a struggle

Reading from his book and talking about some of its aspects, Goodwin stirred up an emotional response from an audience all too familiar with the negative impact of gentrification on the arts in Hoboken.
Some in the audience had seen a former arts building in Hoboken knocked down because of mercury contamination, and an existing arts building on the west side rapidly altering its use to non-arts functions. Hoboken’s Neumann Leather building on Observer Highway still struggles to retain the artistic vision.
What happened at 111 First St. was not an inevitable conclusion, Goodwin said.
“There are points along the way when things could have become different,” he said. “Even after people left the building, the building itself could have been saved.”
He attributed the conclusion of the story to a “toxic nexus of bad decisions, stubbornness, and lack of imagination by the building’s owners and multiple city administrations.”
“To be quite frank, the artists themselves made some poor or questionable decisions,” he said.
Organized artists might have helped, but he said, this is not a trait common with many artists.
More than just a story of a building, his book is about a historic struggle in which artists are pitted against unsympathetic developers, incompetent landlords, and unreliable politicians.
Even new arriving residents appear to have little sympathy for the arts community and often do not support them.
“Sadly, many of these people are against the artists,” he said.
Mullins concurred, saying that artists are perceived as being “in the way.”

_____________
“Even after people left the building, the building itself could have been saved.” – David Goodwin
____________

Not all bad

Inspired by an article in Jersey City Magazine, Goodwin – through extensive interviews with artists, politicians, and others – traced the history of the building, from its construction nearly 150 years earlier, to when artists were evicted in 2005, and the building’s demolition in 2007.
But local officials note that the artists’ struggle was not completely in vain. One great success of their fight was the establishing of the Power House Arts District that required future developers to preserve buildings and provide space for the arts.
Under the current administration of Mayor Steven Fulop, arts have become a priority.
Even though many artists have been priced out of downtown, a new arts district has been established in Jersey City Heights which have residential and working spaces. Another arts district is proposed for Journal Square, which will include a new arts center as well as the possible restoration of the Historic Loew’s Theater.
But this new vestige of the art scene isn’t the same.
Goodwin said New York, Hoboken, and Jersey City may have crossed a line and cannot go back to the scrappy artist community that 111 First St. symbolized.
The book and the story of 111 First St. have become larger than Jersey City, as people around the nation take interest.
“Many people on my book tour wanted to know why this was allowed to happen,” he said. “They saw a value in a rich community of artists and creators contributing to the city as a cultural and economic engine, and as a way to expose people to the community.”
Audience members in Buffalo asked about historic preservation as it related to the now-demolished building, while people in Minneapolis raised concerns about arts and culture and the need for artist housing.
“If there is one lesson to come out of this, it is that if we want to have artists in our community we have to provide them with a place to live and work, or at least the opportunity to get affordable spaces,” he said. “This could come through government policy. There would be zoning or construction of affordable housing and live/work spaces for the arts. As communities become attractive, government should be seeking developers or businesses that have an interest in building for artist studios or arts related businesses.”

Artists and development

Jersey City has a few artist-friendly developers such as Silverman and Manhattan Building Company, both which promote arts and provide artistic spaces.
But Goodwin’s message, while hopeful, also highlighted the continued struggle artist must endure to resist development trends.
“The fate of 111 First might present other artists with a rallying cry,” Mullins said.
While she and others in the audience hoped the book would stir up passion for defending the arts, all seemed in awe of the fact that 111 First St. was a unique experiment in the arts, something not easily repeated.

Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.

HOBOKEN BRIEFS

Marilyn Baer, Staff Writer
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HOBOKEN BRIEFS

Council members defend colleague after union attack ad

Elec 825, an affiliate of the Local 825 Operating Engineers union, ran an attack ad on local TV against a Hoboken councilman two weeks ago, a strange move since the councilman isn’t even up for election.

The union ran an ad criticizing Hoboken Councilman Jim Doyle for his “No” vote on the proposed Hilton hotel in Hoboken on Oct. 17 Doyle was the only council member who voted “no.” He voted that way even though he usually supports the administration’s initiatives.

The ad said Doyle “abandoned Hoboken’s children” for voting against the plan.

“The commercial was both troubling in its attack on Jim for his vote as it was in its messaging to all Hoboken elected officials – vote ‘yes’ or else,” said Councilman Peter Cunningham in a press release on Oct. 29. “This type of bullying by a union, or any large contributor, will not be tolerated. ”

The hotel currently proposed is 20 percent larger than what was previously passed by the City Council in April 2017, which Doyle stated he did not support.

“Jim, along with then-Councilman Bhalla before he was elected mayor, consistently voted for a more moderate hotel.  Jim, however, held to his beliefs, voted accordingly, and should not have to be subjected to such public threats,” said Council Vice President Jen Giattino in the press release.

The redevelopment agreement is with KMS Development, which plans to put a 20-story Hilton on the property behind the post office at 89 River St. The council vote was to approve the redevelopment plan. Construction may start as soon 2019.

Hoboken resident pleads guilty in vote-by-mail scheme

Hoboken resident Lizaida Camis, 55, has pleaded guilty to participation in a 2013 voter bribery scheme, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito.

Carpenito said Camis pleaded guilty on Nov. 8 before U.S. District Court Judge William J. Martini in Newark federal court to an indictment charging her with conspiracy to use the mail to promote a voter bribery scheme during the 2013 municipal election in Hoboken.

Former city council candidate Frank Raia and campaign worker Dio Braxton have been indicted on similar charges.

According to the same announcement, Camis, Braxton, and others “at former Hoboken City Council candidate Frank Raia’s direction, [allegedly] agreed to pay certain Hoboken voters $50 each if those voters applied for and cast mail-in ballots for the November 2013 Hoboken municipal election.”

Camis and others allegedly provided these voters with vote-by-mail applications and then delivered the completed applications to the Hudson County Clerk’s office.

The Nov. 8 announcement also states that after the mail-in ballots were delivered to the voters, “Camis and others went to the voters’ residences and, in some cases, allegedly instructed the voters to vote for a rent control referendum that Raia supported.”

They then allegedly promised the voters they would be paid $50 for casting their mail-in ballots and told them that they could pick up their checks after the election at an office Raia owned.

“Bank records show that voters who interacted with Camis and Braxton received $50 checks from an entity associated with Raia,” the announcement states.

The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 21, 2019.

Hoboken City Council votes to remove Planning Board member

After a two-hour public hearing held during their Nov. 7  meeting, the City Council voted to remove Gary Holtzman from the Hoboken Planning Board with a 6-2-1 vote. Councilman Michael DeFusco abstained.

Holtzman was an unpaid volunteer on the board and had served since 2011.

The council’s reason was that Holtzman sent an email to developers, architects, and real estate professionals that included a list of 16 attorneys who could potentially represent applicants before the board.

Holtzman said that the list was compiled because Bob Matule, a local land-use attorney who often came before the board, was retiring and many people had asked for suggestions for a land use attorney.

Members of the council said they felt the email opened the city to potential risk and litigation. For instance, an applicant who didn’t use one of the land use attorneys on the list might feel he or she was at a disadvantage.

During the hearing, Holtzman said, “If I’m guilty of anything at all, it’s of trying to help applicants have a good experience dealing with the planning and zoning boards and expedite and improve the process for everyone involved.”

Holtzman said that in hindsight, compiling the list of attorneys and emailing it was the result of a good intention but bad execution.

Two council members who voted against removing Holtzman, Councilman Jim Doyle and Emily Jabbour, who ran with Mayor Ravi Bhalla last year. Those who voted for removing him are often politically opposed to Bhalla.

For a more detailed story on the hearing, look to the Nov. 22 edition of The Hoboken Reporter.

Rockin’ Redwings march to victory in competitions

The Hoboken school district’s Rockin’ Redwings marching band placed in several competitions last month.

They won a first place trophy in the Class A Competition at the West Orange Marching Festival on Oct. 6.

They followed this performance by earning a 77.2 rating and a Silver Award at the highly competitive Wayne Hills Marching Festival on Oct. 20.

The Rockin’ Redwings earned their highest score of the season and an “Excellent” rating during the state ratings portion of the Bloomfield Marching Band Festival on Oct. 28

Marching Band Director Dave Stasiak attributes this year’s successes to a number of factors, including an expanded group of support staff and a larger student population.

Several skilled high school musicians, such as drum major Amiah Edmondson, captain Mariah Torres, and lieutenant Jared De la Rosa, have also helped to improve the musicianship of the band and will audition for Northern New Jersey’s Region I Honor Band after marching season.

The Rockin’ Redwings are also scheduled to perform once again in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C. in 2019. For more information visit the Rockin’ Redwings on the web at www.rockinredwings.com.

City expands composting program 

In partnership with Community Compost Company, the city now offers free weekly curbside pickup of food scraps for local businesses and schools. The city also now offers a free compost drop off site for Hoboken residents. To get started, businesses and schools should take the short business compost pickup survey at www.hobokennj.gov/compost. To register for residential compost pickup service go to www.communitycompostco.com

The city will also visit local businesses to discuss waste disposal operations if requested. For any questions on composting or to schedule a visit, please contact Dave Calamoneri at dcalamoneri@hobokennj.gov or 201.420.2000 x4000.

A book of dreams about Bob Dylan

Mary Lee Kortes has compiled a book of dreams that musicians have had about Bob Dylan. She’ll present the book Friday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m., at Little City Books, 100 Bloomfield St., Hoboken.

With her will be Hoboken’s Guitar Bar All Stars Jim Mastro, Boo Reiners and Patrick Conlon and special guests Warren Zanes, Dave Schramm, Glenn Mercer of the Feelies, Elena Skye, Richard Barone (Bongos), The Kennedys, and Laura Cantrell.

Tickets are $40 in advance on line or in store. For more information call (201) 626-7323, or visit https://www.littlecitybooks.com/dreaming-dylan-115-dreams-about-bob

Hoboken Artists’ Studio Tour drew many

The  Artists’ Studio Tour on Saturday, Nov. 3 and Sunday, Nov. 4 drew hundreds of visitors to the city’s art studios, restaurants, and other creative venues to enjoy paintings, photography, fashion, music, and all other art forms. The free event ran both days from noon to 6 p.m.

Especially popular were two former factory buildings that now hold artist lofts and businesses: the Neumann Leather building near the city’s southern border, and 720 Monroe St. But there were also numerous individual workshops, apartments, and businesses to visit, including eight galleries.

Hoboken declares state of emergency

Marilyn Baer, Staff Writer
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Hoboken declares state of emergency

(Updated March 15)

Hoboken’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) declared a State of Emergency in the city on Thursday, March 12 as the city continues to prepare for the coronavirus pandemic.

The OEM, the city’s Department of Health and Human Services, school district Superintendent Dr. Christine Johnson, and representatives from the charter schools have decided to cancel school over the next two weeks as a cautionary measure. 

State of emergency

The State of Emergency allows the OEM and the city to take proactive action in the days and weeks ahead to protect residents.

As of March 15, the city reported three positive COVID-19 cases in Hoboken.

Hoboken has canceled all “non-essential” city-run events and meetings starting March 13.

Canceled events include all city-run recreation activities and sports for children and adults, Planning Board, Zoning Board, and municipal volunteer board meetings, and the scheduled public meetings on Neumann Leathers Redevelopment Project and the NJ Transit Records Building.

The city has also closed all city recreation fields and facilities.

A City Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18. The Bhalla administration and Council President Jen Giattino are exploring alternative options to host the meeting.

According to Giattino, options include the possibility of residents sending in questions and comments instead of attending the council meeting to speak but still streaming the meeting, having a phone conference, or canceling the meeting outright.

The OEM has also directed that all bars and restaurant establishments, with or without a liquor license, are no longer permitted to serve food within the restaurant or bar.

If a bar does not currently offer food, they will no longer be permitted to operate and are no longer permitted to serve alcohol, as of 11 a.m. Sunday, March 15.

Any bar or restaurant establishment that currently offers food service will be permitted to conduct food takeout and food delivery service only.

OEM is also implementing a city-wide daily curfew which will be in effect from 10 p.m. through 5 a.m., starting Monday, March 16 until further notice.

During this curfew, all residents will be required to remain in their homes except for emergencies, or if they are required to work by their employer.

Street cleaning is also now suspended.

City parks will remain open with the exception of fields, recreation courts, playgrounds, and restrooms.

Daycares and pop-up camps for children are also closed.The city has closed all gyms, all health clubs, and movie theaters.

City Hall is now closed to the public but all services are available by phone, email, and online only.

Members of the public must call the respective department in City Hall and speak to a representative or leave a message, or send an email to the respective employee or department head, that can be found at http://www.hobokennj.gov and choosing the “departments” tab under “government”.

To prepare for an anticipated surge of patients, the Office of Emergency Management authorized the construction of a medical tent on Fourth Street outside of Hoboken University Medical Center.

The Health Department recommends that residents who believe they have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider first instead of going to the emergency room.

“It is critically important for residents to stay home if you are sick and remain home for at least 24 hours until symptoms resolve,” said Bhalla. “It is essential to continue washing and sanitizing your hands frequently. Please work from home if you can for the near future.”

School closed

Schools will be closed over the next two weeks starting Monday, March 16.

“We have prepared all of our remote learning plans and everything is ready to go,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christine Johnson.

Johnson said teachers and staff have worked collaboratively on creating at-home instruction, and the district surveyed all families regarding their access to technology and the internet so that those without access received hard copies of at-home instruction.

“We developed required lessons in math, science, language arts, social studies, and health wellness for all students for every day,” said Johnson, noting that the district is providing 10 hours of instruction.

Johnson also said plans are in place for ESL students, students with special needs, students who require speech therapy and student who require physical therapy.

“Lessons were created from a basis of activities these kids are familiar with, and will be reinforcing at home,” said Johnson, noting therapists will be checking in with students via phone and email.

The district will also provide breakfast and lunch to district students and charter school students who qualified for free and reduced lunch. Grab and go meals will be handed out at the Ninth Street entrance of Hoboken High School by the cafeteria between Clinton and Grand streets. Meal service will be available from 8:30-10:30 a.m

According to state law, absences of 10 or more days must result in disenrollment for all children in Pre-K through 12th grade, but Johnson said that students will not be given absences for the days because school instruction will still be taking place.

Stevens Institute of Technology announced the campus has not had any confirmed cases of COVID-19 but to ensure the health and safety of their community all classes have been moved online through April 5.

“This decision is based on the best public health information we have today,” states a letter to the Stevens community dated March 12 from Marybeth Murphy, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, and Vice President of Human Resources Warren Petty.

To reduce density on campus and limit potential transmission of COVID-19, some employees have been given permission to work remotely.

Students living on campus have been instructed to go home until April 5.

“University settings present unique challenges during a pandemic because of the density of students living and studying in close quarters,” the letter reads. “In addition, our capacity to quarantine those who become sick or those who may have been exposed is extremely limited. The more students who leave campus, the more we can decrease the potential health risk to the broader community. “

Stevens is working with students to help those who can not return home for a variety of reasons. The university is considering each request to remain on campus on a case by case basis.

Students who must remain in Stevens housing during this time should request permission from the Office of Residential and Dining Services (RDS) by clicking here.  Students can email rds@stevens.edu with questions.

Stevens students are asked to check the Stevens homepage regularly for updates.

Library programs canceled

The Hoboken Public Library facilities including the Main Library at 500 Park Ave, the Grand Street Branch, and the Learning Center at the Hoboken Housing Authority will be closed starting Monday, March 16, with a planned reopening of Monday, March 30.

“We apologize for the inconvenience, but this action is necessary to protect the health of our customers and staff during this volatile time,” said Director Lina Podles.

Loan periods will be adjusted to compensate for the closure and all items currently checked out to Hoboken Library cardholders will have their loans extended to Thursday, April 2.

Go to HobokenLibrary.org for the latest library information and to access to vibrant and robust online downloading and streaming services.

Go to HobokenLibrary.org/coronavirus/ for practical information about the Coronavirus.

Rescheduled events

The 19th Annual Tribeca Film Festival was scheduled to make it’s Hoboken debut this April, but according to a statement from co-founder and CEO of Tribeca Enterprises Jane Rosenthal, the festival will be postponed.

“We founded the Tribeca Film Festival as a way to heal our community after the devastation of the 9/11 attacks in 2001,” said Rosenthal. “We were determined to overcome our fear and anxiety by joining together. It is in our DNA to march forward while caring about our community.”

Rosenthal said the “difficult decision” to postpone was based on the announcement by Gov. Andrew Cuomo that events of 500 people or more are banned.

“We are committed to ensuring the health and safety of the public while also supporting our friends, filmmakers and storytellers who look to Tribeca as a platform to showcase their work to audiences. We will be back to you shortly with our plans,” she said.

“Check www.tribecafilm.com for the latest updates, ticket refund information and details about how we are moving forward.”

Little City Books was scheduled to host its 2nd Annual Hoboken Literary Weekend from April 3 to April 5 but according to co-owner Kate Jacobs, the weekend has been rescheduled for the fall. It was to feature several award-winning authors, artists, performers, and journalists at Little City Books as well as at partner venues throughout Hoboken.

The Hoboken Community Center announced it would be rescheduling it’s annual benefit “A Taste of Hoboken” which was to take place on March 18 at Stevens Institute of Technology Howe Center.

“The HCC is working to reschedule the event for later in 2020, and an announcement with the new date will be made shortly,” states their event page. “Guests are encouraged to keep their tickets for the rescheduled event, but those unable to attend on the new date may request a refund via the ticket website.”

Stay Safe

The CDC recommends ways to limit the risk of contracting and spreading the virus.

Recommendations include frequent handwashing with soap and water or use of hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60 percent alcohol; covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; avoiding close contact with people who are sick; and if you are sick, staying home from work or school.

The City of Hoboken, Office of Emergency Management, and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) have opened up a COVID-19 hotline for Hoboken residents at 201-420-5620.

CERT members will be available to answer general questions pertaining to Hoboken’s COVID-19 response and serve as a resource with additional information for residents.

It will not be utilized for professional medical advice.

The COVID-19 hotline is open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. through at least March 20.

A separate hotline for Hoboken seniors requesting assistance, or anyone in contact with a senior in need, has also been set up at 201-420-5625.

It is operational from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. until at least March 20.

Volunteers may be needed during the week to assist with various tasks related to the city’s COVID-19 response.

If you are interested in volunteering, please call the COVID-19 hotline at 201-420-5620 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

The Hoboken Health Department will continue to operate, but the city says it should only be contacted by medical professionals.

Those that believe they were exposed to COVID-19 and want to be tested should contact their primary care physician first. Then they may also call the Hoboken Health Department at 201-420-2000 ext. 5211.

For updates on this and other stories check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Marilyn Baer can be reached at Marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.

 

IMPACT: The Gold Coast spreads inland

Mike Montemarano
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IMPACT: The Gold Coast spreads inland

As always in Hudson County, major development projects are quickly on the rise, with a backlog of many more huge developments being proposed to local officials.

Dozens of moderately sized developments are underway, and major residential and mixed use high-rise projects continue to boast thousands of brand new residential units. Rentals and condos of all varieties and bedroom numbers are, as usual, hitting the market at an explosive rate in every town and city.

Here’s a run-down of this year’s major developments, and proposals that generating some buzz on the real estate radar.

Bayonne

The site of the former Military Ocean Terminal in Bayonne (MOTBY) will continue to be a hot spot for the city’s more ambitious residential endeavors, after the local government took ownership of the man-made stretch of land in 2000. Since then, the buyers have come in droves.

A development, known as 50 Flagship Street on a property purchased by developer Raj Gupta, will one day contain 1,100 units according to plans. Gupta received a 25-year tax abatement, a measure which city officials hope to use in order to encourage more developers to make daring investments in the terminal’s former location.

A joint venture partnership between JMF Properties of Whippany, RD Management, LLC, and Accurate Developers and Builders of Lakewood recently purchased 14 acres of MOTBY turf. That venture aims to develop another several hundred units.

In March, city officials took part in a topping out ceremony of 477 Broadway, an eight-story mixed use development which will feature 72 individual units, in the heart of Bayonne’s business corridor. The development, overshadowing most of Broadway’s buildings, came to fruition after a vacant retail space was demolished in 2017.

Hoboken

Sales moved along this year on Via Lofts in Hoboken’s northwest end. The ten luxury condominiums, which were developed by Bijou Properties in an upscale boutique building at 1410 Grand Street, were constructed with eco-friendly materials. The building, minutes from the Lincoln Tunnel could mark a northern transition of investment in developing Hoboken.

Sales launched in late 2018 for the development 1425 Hudson at Hudson Tea, and the project has been generating plenty of buzz since. The glass tower, with a red brick base, is comprised of 99 homes over 12 floors. The homes range from one to four bedrooms, and many have outdoor terraces and patios. The development was a product of Toll Brothers City Living, and touts ample lounges and an outdoor pool.

At the Neumann Leathers complex in Hoboken, which was used since the mid-1800s as a leather manufacturing facility, a project is in the works to create a 14-story residential development add-on to the existing structure, following an agreement between Nastasi Architects and City Council that dates back to 2017.

Jersey City

Things are, as always, expanding quickly in Jersey City.
99 Hudson, a 79-story condominium tower is still under construction by developers China Overseas America, Inc. The tower boasts spacious studios, one- and two- bedroom condos, and penthouses. Now topped out, the building is the tallest in the entire state, and developers anticipate a launch this year.

90 Columbus, a 51-story in Jersey City’s downtown, opened its doors this year. With over 500 units, this development includes a landscaped rooftop deck with a swimming pool, among other recreational amenities at the base, with an expansive view of the Hudson River. At the floor of the tower, an entrance to the PATH station is mere feet away.

Earlier this year, City Council green-lit redevelopment of the Emerson Radio Factory at 16th Street and Coles Street. The massive, five-story factory is currently undergoing demolition, and city officials are looking for developers to rehab the old structure while also developing some public park space. Developers will also be required to build a second Jersey City Police station on the property at their cost.

Lennar subsidiary LMC recently topped out an 18-story luxury apartment complex at 321 Warren Street, in an area where vertical construction is bustling. The plan also includes a spacious theater, which will be operated by Nimbus Dance Works. The project is expected to launch in late 2019.

Kushner Real Estate Group is moving full speed ahead on Journal Squared, a three-tower residential complex in which each tower will be completed in phases. Each tower will boast either over 50, over 60, or over 70 floors.

Currently, the second tower is being constructed, and is expected to top out in 2020. The third Journal Squared tower is reportedly expected by 2024.

Park and Shore, a luxury condominium development, topped out in April of last year. Two structures, at 75 Park Lane and 2 Shore Lane, each have hundreds of condominiums in a Downtown Jersey City spot minutes from the Newport PATH station.

In February, Jersey City approved a plan to allow developer Claremont to construct a 20-story tower on the former property of St. Lucy’s Church at 619 Grove Street. The building will hold over 400 luxury rentals, while sparing and rehabilitating the facade of the church. The developers also agreed to build a new homeless shelter across the street to replace the existent one.

North Bergen

In North Bergen, Hudson Mews is the talk of the town in terms of residential development. The townhouses, which are either one- or two-bedroom, will bring plenty of residents to 1305 Paterson Plank Road, in an area that is undergoing a major shift to residential from its industrial roots.

The Hudson Mews developers also laid down the foundations of a public park across the street from the development, in a joint effort with the township to carve out some more green space in that area of North Bergen. Among other amenities, the development will include a 5,000 square foot clubhouse, a fitness center, a swimming pool, and other private recreational spaces.

The owner of a property at 9001 River Road also proposed constructing an eight story, 66-unit residential building on the premises of that address. The plans went before the board of adjustment in February, and a special meeting was held on May 29. Currently, the property is used as a liquor store, and the proposal will likely see extensive review prior to being fully approved.

These two major developments were preceded by a project being carried out by James Demetrakis, who purchased the former site of the Manhattan Trailer Court at 4828 Tonnelle Ave. and began work in 2015. Demetrakis plans to construct a rental complex comprised of 214 units on that site, and agreed to a substantive PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) plan with the township that would contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars more to North Bergen than what the township now generates from that parcel.

Secaucus

In Secaucus, The Harper at Harmon Meadow boasts 469 luxury rental units with plenty of amenities, and has been selling hot since a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held last year. The rental community offers a salt water pool with cabanas and lounges, a yoga studio, a spin room, and a dog park.

Secaucus Riverside Urban Renewal, LLC currently owns a property at 1631 Paterson Plank Road that once served as a cement plant. The owners are currently proposing to construct a development that would include 116 residential units, with 163 parking spaces. 23 of the units, according to plans so far, will be “affordable” housing

Union City

Union City is currently working with developers to construct an affordable senior housing complex at 720 8th St. at the southern end of the city, where a city-owned public parking lot currently sits. The 12,500 square foot facility, as it is currently planned, is designed to provide 101 housing units reserved for low-income seniors, and would be most directly comparable to Bella Vista Apartments, which houses over 200 low-income senior citizens in Union City. The building will include a two-level parking deck.

Developers seeking to construct a 55-unit apartment complex at 1300 Manhattan Avenue in Union City have already received municipal approval to develop the property, which is one of the few undeveloped cliffside parcels left within one of Hudson County’s densest towns. Since Manhattan Avenue is a county road, the developers, Manhattan Avenue Capital 1300, LLC, will need to gain approval from county government this month aside from the approvals they already received from Union City.

A three-unit condominium complex called Palisade View invited guests to an open house in March, to showcase the units at a site on 309 Palisade Avenue. The condos offer a view of the New York City skyline, as well as a rare commodity for any Union City residents— backyard space, complete with outdoor decks.

West New York

In West New York, developers are coming in hot with plans, both on the waterfront as well as within the dense mainland.

6401 Park opened up atop the Palisades, and offers 15 luxury condos priced anywhere from $300,000 to over $400,000, over five stories. The development comes with a parking garage, and offers homeowners a five-year tax abatement.

Nine on the Hudson, developed at Port Imperial by K Hovnanian, continues to draw in residents to the 13-story condominium complex directly at the waterfront. The development is less than a mile away from the NY Waterway Ferry Terminal and is a walkable distance from a Light Rail station. The development touts over 30,000 square feet of recreational amenities, both indoor and outdoor.

In February 2018, town officials designated Culver Development Company as a redeveloper of two properties, both of which are currently owned by the towns’ Parking Authority near Bergenline Avenue. While still in the proposal stages, there are twin 14-story towers being proposed where parking lots currently sit.

Weehawken

With the advent of a huge expansion to park space on Weehawken’s Waterfront, developers are coming in hot to build at Port Imperial adjacent to the $12-14 million public space, which will feature three pools, a great lawn, and plenty of recreational fields and tennis courts.

Towering at 11 stories high, the Avora development is now almost fully complete. Avora will be the latest development to debut on Weehawken’s Port Imperial Waterfront, and is already over 55 percent sold, according to spokespersons. The 183 luxury homes are directly adjacent to both the NY Waterway Ferry Terminal and a Light Rail station. The one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes range from $800,000 to $4 million.

Harbor 1500 continues to generate buzz as development comes to a close. A product of the Maxal Group and Hartz industries, this 236-unit rental project will be available for leasing in the Lincoln Harbor neighborhood soon. It features ample recreational space on the sixth floor, and juts several hundred feet into the Hudson River.

Two condo communities, 1200 Avenue at Port Imperial and Henley on Hudson, are nearly selling out at Weehawken’s waterfront. Both were developed by Lennar Urban, and will be directly adjacent to the developing public park that will feature outdoor pools, a great lawn, and an ice skating rink, in what officials estimate will be a $12-$14 million project. These two projects comprise over 300 luxury condos, though very few are still on the market.

Hartz Mountain Industries is currently in construction at another site, at 800 Lincoln Harbor. This 15-story development, dubbed Hamilton Cove, will feature 586 housing units at the Hudson River in the southern part of Weehawken.

DeSOMMA, ROSEMARY CATHERINE

Hudson Reporter
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DeSOMMA, ROSEMARY CATHERINE

Funeral services have been held for Rosemary Catherine DeSomma, 58, of Saco, Maine, and formerly of New Jersey, passed away on May 18 in Scarborough. She was born in Jersey City, a daughter of John Desomma and Carol Neumann. Rosemary graduated from St. Michael’s Regional High School in Union City. After graduation, she enrolled and received her degree at Drake’s Secretarial College in Jersey City. Rosemary was employed as a secretary for Steven’s Institute of Technology in Hoboken, in the undergraduate admissions office. Later, she worked for EJR Computer Associates Inc. primarily resolving human resource issues. When the company was sold to Ciber, Inc., Rosemary stayed on as an Administrative Assistant for several more years. Rosemary was a senior volunteer for Christ Hospital in Jersey City. Her hobbies included cooking, baking and making candy. She also had a strong interest in making jewelry. She will be sadly missed. She was predeceased by her father John DeSomma. She is survived by her mother Carol Neumann, her sister Deborah DeSomma, cousins and friends. Services arranged by the Cote Funeral Home, Saco, Maine

NEWMAN, THOMAS MICHAEL

Submitted Content
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NEWMAN, THOMAS MICHAEL

62, of Bayonne, passed away on December 1, 2017 at the Jersey City Medical Center with his family by his side. Thomas was born in Jersey City and was lifelong resident of Bayonne. Thomas was a self-employed Construction Worker, working in the Tile Industry for many years. Husband of Louise Newman (nee Kasmer). Father of the late Thomas Joshua Newman and Shannon Louise Newman. Son of Violet Johns (nee O’Brien) and her husband Gustav Johns and the late Charles Newman. Brother of Kenneth Newman and his late wife Nancy, Janet Ortiz and her husband Joe, and the late James Newman. Brother-in-Law of James Kasmer and the late Maureen Newman, Mary Ann Kasmer, Patricia Polito and John Polito. Thomas is also survived by many nieces and nephews, Sonny, Stan, Billy, Charles, Lavonca, John, Brittany, Joseph and Marisol and many other great nieces and nephews and many cousins. Funeral arrangements by G. KEENEN O’BRIEN Funeral Home, 984 Avenue C.

NEWMAN, THOMAS MICHAEL

Submitted Content
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NEWMAN, THOMAS MICHAEL

62, of Bayonne, passed away on December 1, 2017 at the Jersey City Medical Center with his family by his side. Thomas was born in Jersey City and was lifelong resident of Bayonne. Thomas was a self-employed Construction Worker, working in the Tile Industry for many years. Husband of Louise Newman (nee Kasmer). Father of the late Thomas Joshua Newman and Shannon Louise Newman. Son of Violet Johns (nee O’Brien) and her husband Gustav Johns and the late Charles Newman. Brother of Kenneth Newman and his late wife Nancy, Janet Ortiz and her husband Joe, and the late James Newman. Brother-in-Law of James Kasmer and the late Maureen Newman, Mary Ann Kasmer, Patricia Polito and John Polito. Thomas is also survived by many nieces and nephews, Sonny, Stan, Billy, Charles, Lavonca, John, Brittany, Joseph and Marisol and many other great nieces and nephews and many cousins. Funeral arrangements by G. KEENEN O’BRIEN Funeral Home, 984 Avenue C.

NEWMAN, THOMAS MICHAEL

Submitted Content
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NEWMAN, THOMAS MICHAEL

62, of Bayonne, New Jersey passed away on December 1, 2017 at the Jersey City Medical Center with his family by his side. Thomas was born in Jersey City and was lifelong resident of Bayonne. Thomas was a self-employed Construction Worker, working in the Tile Industry for many years. Husband of Louise Newman (nee: Kasmer). Father of the late Thomas Joshua Newman and Shannon Louise Newman. Son of Violet Johns (nee: O’Brien) and her husband Gustav Johns and the late Charles Newman. Brother of Kenneth Newman and his late wife Nancy, Janet Ortiz and her husband Joe, and the late James Newman. Brother-in-Law of James Kasmer and the late Maureen Newman, Mary Ann Kasmer, Patricia Polito and John Polito. Thomas is also survived by many nieces and nephews, Sonny, Stan, Billy, Charles, Lavonca, John, Brittany, Joseph, and Marisol, and many other great nieces and nephews and many cousins. Funeral arrangements by G. KEENEN O’BRIEN Funeral Home, 984 Avenue C.

Black and white frogs

Marilyn Baer, Staff Writer
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Black and white frogs

A hundred and one students age 6 through 12 from Wallace Elementary School have had their artwork published in the “101 Wallace School Frogs Coloring Book.” The book, published in May by Jersey City resident Susan Newman, supports Frogs are Green, a Jersey City-based educational non-profit Newman founded to raise awareness about the decline and possible extinction of amphibians caused by global warming.
The idea for the book came after Newman received 400 entries from Wallace Elementary School in an international contest her organization has run for seven years, the Kids’ Art Contest.
The contest received 1,441 artworks from 32 countries, including Sri Lanka, China, and Turkey, and from around the U.S.
“Every year our reach grows farther and farther and it gets bigger and bigger,” said Newman.
Newman, a part time Wallace teacher, collaborated with the district and with art teacher Lynn Fusco to encourage Wallace students to submit their drawings of frogs.
“Mrs. Fusco decided to take on the contest as a project and work with as many students she could,” said Newman. “Every time I would substitute at Wallace, she would hand me another stack of entries. I had no idea it would become as widespread as it did.”
Newman said it was because of the widespread involvement that she decided to create the coloring book.
“When I got all the art from them, I said I had to do something more with them, because they all did such a great job,” said Newman. “All their submissions were in black and white art, so I thought it would make a great coloring book. I picked the top 101 drawings. We wanted to make sure there was a variety. There is a little bit of fantasy and a little bit of reality and a lot of different types of art in the book. I scanned all the pieces and designed the cover, put it together, and published the book through my non profit.”

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“I wanted to honor their hard work and accomplishment.” – Lynn Fusco
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A learning experience

Newman said not only did the children draw frogs for the contest, but they learned about them as well.
“They learned about the patterns frogs have which you can see in their drawings,” said Newman. “They learned about some frog’s ability to camouflage. Some of the art shows frogs disappearing into the background; they learned what frogs eat and what eats frogs, some of the pictures have bugs… There was a lot of learning going on in addition to just art.”
The submissions were also displayed in the lobby of Hoboken City Hall at 94 Washington St.
Fusco and Newman decided to throw a publishing party for the kids in the school’s cafeteria that included cake and copies of the book so the children could see their hard work.
“I just thought it was great idea,” said Fusco. “I wanted to honor their hard work and accomplishment. I don’t think any other school has had a coloring book published in Hoboken.”
“The look on their faces was unbelievable,” said Newman. “They were so excited. I don’t think they really realized they would be published until they saw the book themselves. They were like, ‘holy moly.’ ”
The coloring book is available at frogsaregreen.com and Amazon Smile. If purchased on Amazon, the Wallace Parent Team Organization will receive a portion of the proceeds as long as the purchaser enters Wallace Parent Team Organization as their charity.
According to Newman, the coloring book will also be available at Little City Books on First and Bloomfield streets for $9.95.

Marilyn Baer can be reached at marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.

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