City Councilman At-Large Loyad Booker Jr. was one of the six speakers at the first TEDxBayonne in 2022. Photos by Daniel Israel.
After an outstanding series at TEDxBayonne 2022, the search is now on for speakers for the next iteration of the conference.
The annual independently organized TED Talks conference in the city were co-founded by Bayonne residents Carissa Lintao and Maxim Sokolov. The duo had a vision in 2021 to bring the talks to Bayonne and made that a reality in April of this year. The goal of the conference is to bring together local thought leaders to share world-changing ideas, with its motto being “to uplift, challenge, and inspire.”
From vision to reality
TED, a non-profit organization which aims to promote “the idea of spreading ideas,” began in 1984 as a conference about “Technology, Entertainment and Design” before becoming an established non-profit. Since then, the conferences and their approximately 18 minutes or less TED Talks have been hosted worldwide by the organization.
TED Talks feature a lineup of short, informative, and motivational speeches given in front of live audiences that are recorded and shared online on YouTube and social media as well as other platforms. The TEDx Talks are the localized version of the wider reaching TED conference.
Since its founding, the TEDxBayonne team has expanded. In addition to Lintao as Operations Head and Sokolov as Marketing Head, the TEDxBayonne team also features Advisor Allan Escobar, Media Manager Sofia Marino, Advisor and Ex-Speaker Nicos Marcou, Advisor Rob Napoli, Communications Coach Lisa Patti, Acting Coach and Stage Specialist Bobby Allan, Stage Manager Hannah Lauren, and Photographer Cat Lee.
TEDxBayonne aims to be a catalyst for progress in the Bayonne community and beyond. The conference seeks to inspire people to change their lives and ultimately make the world a better place.
‘Future? Future!’
After 2022’s theme of “re.think,” the theme for 2023 is “Future? Future!” According to TEDxBayonne, “Future is not something to hope for. It’s something to create.
“Future has become such a loaded word. For some it carries so much promise and excitement, for others it’s an opportunity to talk about unrealistic and wishy washy agendas and ideas, but for the majority it’s simply a word that incites endless anxiety and stress. It may seem that everything around us — politics, news and social media — are all slowly defeating our optimism and presenting this bleak picture for our future lives. This spring, we want to change that,” according to TEDxBayonne.
In 2023, the local TED Talks are going explore stories and ideas that will restore optimism in “tomorrow,” help return people to the things that matter most in life, and present solutions and paradigms that will guide in building a future “worth getting excited about.” Next year’s talks aim to be more ambitious after this year’s success.
In 2022, there have been over 115,000 total views of TEDxBayonne talks on the official TEDx channel, over 300 active newsletter subscribers, over 3,000 total website traffic over the past year. In addition, the conference tickets sold out in under 36 hours, featuring six speakers including Nicos Marcou, Ilknur Eren, Nathan Lugo, Michelle Arpin Begina, Mike Stanlaw, and Loyad Booker, Jr.
The first-ever TEDxBayonne speakers and organizers pose for pictures after a successful event.
Apply to be a speaker now
In 2023, TEDxBayonne aims for one to two more speakers, better networking opportunities, wider audience reach, and improved event experience, as well as community initiatives and impact. Projections for 2023 include over 500,000 total views of TEDxBayonne talks on the official TEDx channel, over 600 active newsletter subscribers, and over 6,000 total website traffic over the year.
The non-profit and volunteer-run organization is also accepting donations to spend on equipment and set up, outsourced professional video production, and venue rental. For more information, to donate, or to watch last year’s talks, go to tedxbayonne.com.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.
The local government watchdog group CivicJC has called out city officials for holding more than one job in Jersey City or for Hudson County, known as “double dipping,” taking aim at the administration of Mayor Steven Fulop.
Esther Wintner, the president of CivicJC and the author of a statement about the practice, criticized “the hated practice of leeching off the government teat [that] helped catapult Fulop to local stardom and ultimately, mayor” and criticized the mayor for failing to end the practice.
A Fulop administration spokesperson insisted the mayor believes an employee’s job with the city comes first, but pointed out that court rulings restrict the mayor from preventing city personnel from having additional sources of income provided they are disclosed as the city’s charter requires.
According to CivicJC, two members of Mayor Fulop’s administration, one council member and five council staff members collected annual salaries from both Jersey City and Hudson County.
Ward A Councilwoman Denise Riley, according to CivicJC, “receives a salary of $85,000 from Jersey City and also appears on the county payroll as a ‘Confidential Assistant’ with the county register at a salary of $62,000 for a total of $147,000.”
Wintner said CivicJC reached out to the county to provide a job description for “confidential assistant.” She said the county responded, ”New Jersey Civil Services does not have job descriptions for the titles ‘confidential assistant’ or ‘confidential aide.’”
John Metro, who serves as the city’s Business Administrator, receives a city salary of $190,000 while maintaining a second income of $8,783 as secretary to the insurance fund and $7,450 as an aide to the Board of Commissioners, according to CivicJC.
The group said mayoral aide and chief of staff John Minella, who receives a salary of $175,000, also receives two additional salaries, $22,914 as a member of the Board of Elections, and $6,700 as an aide to the county commissioners.
A city spokesperson said in an email to The Hudson Reporter, “The mayor still believes that working for the city should be the primary job for everyone employed there, but that isn’t always possible, and the mayor does not control that legally. The courts ruled that a city couldn’t restrict people from having different sources of income as long as it is legal and disclosed under the current Faulkner Act system of government.”
Councilman Daniel Rivera’s aide appeared on two payrolls with salaries of $80,000 from the county and $30,000 from Jersey City. CivicJC also pointed out that Rivera works for the county school system.
Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey’s aide also appeared on both the county and the city payrolls. Prinz-Arey has also listed her spouse on her financial disclosure as receiving income from Hudson County, however he did not appear on the county payroll document provided in the OPRA request, according to CivicJC.
In an interview with the Jersey City Times the councilwoman said that her aide “does some part-time work with one of the commissioners. “He is paid an annual salary of about $1,500.”
She added that her husband does temporary work for the Hudson County Board of Elections. “Technically, he is not a county employee but is paid by the county for temp work. That is why it was listed on my financial disclosure statement.”
According to CivicJC, aides to certain City Council members were also earning salaries from both the city and county. Brittani Bunney, an aide to Ward D Councilwoman Yusef Saleh, is also listed in the letter as receiving a county salary as an analyst trainee of $76,875 while receiving a city salary of $35,000.
Councilperson Amy DeGise currently employs two aides that both hold positions with the county with salaries of $117,000 and $66,000. They each receive a salary of $22,500 from Jersey City with added salaries of $139,500 and $88,500, according to CivicJC.
The Hudson Reporter reached out via email to council members cited in the letter for comment but none responded.
“Steven Fulop was elected as a reformer, a “Man With a Plan” that would break from political patronage and put an end to old time politics,” read the CivicJC statement. “CivicJC believes the public deserves to hear from Mayor Fulop as to why he would betray them on his promise by continuing an ugly tradition of Hudson County politics, and to stand by the principles he peddled.”
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Jordan Coll can be reached at jcoll@hudsonreporter.com.
Fines for parking violations in Bayonne have increased, such as for a violation of no parking for street sweeping. A parking ticket for that, such as the ones seen here, will increase from $23 to $50 as of January 1, 2023. Photo by Daniel Israel.
Bayonne is ushering in more changes to parking, the most notable being an increase to many fines for violations.
The City Council adopted four ordinances and introduced another two relating to parking at its November meeting. This followed the adoption of two ordinances in October, related to the clarification of the industrial zoning parking requirement and the removal of the fee schedule that could be paid if there was a parking deficiency for buildings in certain zoning districts.
The first parking ordinance adopted by the council in November authorized the creation of a loading zone for Hudson Milestones on the north side of Gertrude street from Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The loading zone would being at a point 113 west of the northwest corner of Kennedy Boulevard and Gertrude Street and extending 50 feet west from there.
Parking violation fees increased
For the second adopted ordinance, Law Director Jay Coffey said during the public hearing that the city was increasing fines for parking violations. He said certain ones had not been updated in 20 years.
“In the review with the Municipal Court, there were amendments to the fines,” Coffey said. “We’re raising most of them $1 or $2, in one case there’s $3 or $4. But for the most part, they’re minimal changes to the fees.”
Resident Gail Godesky asked if that included fines for parking in yellow lines, in front of fire hydrants, and double parking. She said that those situations occur often in the city.
Coffey confirmed there are already “substantial penalties for all of those.” City Council President Gary La Pelusa said that those things, as well as parking in a bus stop, were included in the ordinance.
Godesky said then it was a matter of enforcement. She added: “The law is there and the ordinance is there.”
Coffey said the city already had the ordinance in place, this was just increasing the fees although some are statutory and can’t be raised by the city. La Pelusa added that many haven’t been changed in a while, noting that he was told the last time the fees were changed was in 2014.
The ordinance raises the fines for traffic violations, and will go into effect January 1, 2023.
Most fees were increased by a few dollars, except for one. The largest increase was for violations of parking prohibited for street cleaning from $23 to $50. Fines for violations of handicapped parking remain the same at $250.
Parking in Bayonne, much like the rest of Hudson County, is a hot button issue. File photo.
Temporary parking prohibition changes made in ordinance
The third ordinance adopted by the council pertained to the temporary parking prohibition for snow plowing and removal, special events, emergencies and or construction related activities, as well as parking meter bags.
During the public hearing, Godesky asked if this pertained to Kennedy Boulevard since many events occur there. She described the current snow removal following storms by Hudson County on the county road as abysmal and wanted to ensure residents on the Boulevard were serviced this year.
La Pelusa said that Kennedy is still a county road regarding snow removal, but that this applied to other instances. He noted: “This ordinance is for representatives of repair, construction, contractor individuals.”
Godesky interjected that the ordinance includes snow plowing. Coffey said that this pertains more so to contractors taking up parking space during work as opposed to snow removal.
“In the case of special instances, like PSE&G, Fletcher Kramer… this is pertinent to them rendering services and what they have to do or not do,” Coffey said. “And then if there is a construction crew out there, and somebody violates the terms…”
Godesky jumped in again to asked if things shooting movies in the city would qualify as special events per the ordinance. Coffey said that they would.
“Does it have to do with the movie that’s being done downtown, where people couldn’t vote?” Godesky said.
“If it’s a special event, maybe it’ll be covered under here,” Coffey said. “If [it’s] impacting traffic, then yes.”
Changing the fee structure for contractors using parking spaces
Godesky then took issue with parking in the city overall. La Pelusa reiterated that this was more about fees paid by contractors for using parking spaces while rendering certain services and less about providing parking.
“People couldn’t vote because they were getting yelled at for double parking,” Godesky said. “They had a gazillion cones and residents didn’t have any place to park. The kids are off from school this week, so the parents may be off as well. So we have to think outside the box and look forward and not just for that time period. So please take that into consideration.”
“This ordinance is more about fee structure for when services have to be rendered for those garbage containers and things like that,” La Pelusa concluded.
According to the ordinance, “whenever it becomes necessary for representatives of Verizon, Public Service Electric and Gas Company, any service, repair, or construction contractor or individuals having temporary specific need to use a parking metered space… for a vehicle, dumpster or storage for longer than the allotted time prescribed by this article, then parking meter bags… may be issued upon approval of a Metered Parking Space Agreement by the Bayonne Parking Utility. The ordinance adds the use zoned residential space to the municipal code, and that no-parking signs may also be issued.” It also adds that approval may now be granted by the Bayonne Police Department.
The ordinance states the fee for the use of parking meter bags is $10 per 24-hour period. The ordinance adds that is for a single head meter, and that it costs $20 per 24-hour period for a double-headed meter.
The fee will be charged until the time of the return of the parking meter bags. The ordinance adds that the fee for a no-parking sign will be $25 per day.
Other parking changes in the ordinance and other ordinances
The ordinances changes the rates for time limited metered parking on a public street from $0.10 for each 10 minutes to $0.25 for each 15 minutes. It also adds that no vehicle can park at a meter on a public street for more than two hours.
For temporary parking permits, the ordinance changed their validity from 30 days to 21 days
The ordinance adds that permit fees are now $5 per residential parking permit. A senior discount of 2 free passes will be available to any resident 62 years or older.
According to the ordinance, it is $5 per temporary visitor parking permit. It is $200 per non-resident parking permit which is valid for one year.
For time limit metered parking lots, the ordinance changes the rate from $0.50 for each hour to $0.50 for 30 minutes. There will be a ten-hour limit.
For Permit Parking Lots, the ordinance increased the fee of $75 per month for a daily permit fee to $150, and from $35 per month for a night lot permit to $70. The Parking Utility issues monthly parking lot permits not to exceed 40% of the total number of parking spaces in the lots under its jurisdiction except in the two lots located on East 26th Street north and south sides between Broadway and Avenue E.
The fourth ordinance adopted deleted a number of restricted zones for handicapped parking spaces across the city. The first introduced ordinance would add one handicapped parking space on Avenue E. These type of ordinances are typical occurrences at the monthly council meetings.
The other introduced ordinance would include 1 Port Lincoln Road, the site of the future UPS Logistics Center in Bayonne, into the regulations for the movement and parking on all private property. The next meeting will be held on December 14 at 7 p.m. at City Hall at 630 Avenue C, with more information on bayonnenj.org.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.
The two projects that would be supported by the financial agreements are nearly completed as of July 2022. Images via Google Maps.
West New York is considering awarding two financial agreements to a redeveloper to support the construction of residential units in town.
Mayor Gabriel Rodriguez and the Board of Commissioners introduced two ordinances that would each grant a five-year tax exemption at the November 22 meeting. The first ordinance would grant the exemption to 6108 Fillmore, LLC for the property at 6108 Fillmore Place.
The project involves the construction of three residential units at 6108 Fillmore Place, previously a two-story single-family home. The project is nearly completed on the three-story multi-family home with the three units and ground-floor parking.
The town would award the the exemption per the state’s Five Year Exemption and Abatement Law, as well as town ordinances including the Five Tear Tax Abatement Ordinance. These allow the town to enter into a tax agreement with an applicant for the exemption and abatement of local real estate property taxes and the payment of an amount in lieu of full property taxes.
This is as long as the property is in an area declared to be in need of rehabilitation, which the town had previously declared.
In 2020, the property generated $4,851, which represented taxes on the land. Under the five-year tax exemption, 6108 Fillmore, LLC would be required to pay the town full taxes on the land, estimated to be $4,851 per year, reaping the town $24,256 for the three residential units over the five years.
Those payments would occur in addition to the payments-in-lieu-of-taxes to the town under the agreement for the new improvements to the site consisting of the three residential units. When the project is completed, the taxes on the new improvements are estimated to be an annual $21,949 for the three residential units based on the current tax rate.
For the first full year following substantial completion, there would be no payments made on the new improvements. The second full year following completion, an amount equal to 20 percent of the taxes otherwise due on the new improvements will be paid to the town, estimated to be $4,389 of the $21,949. In the third full year, an amount equal to 40 percent of taxes otherwise due on the new improvements will be paid to the town, estimated to be $8,779.
In the fourth full year, an amount equal to 60 percent of taxes otherwise due on the new improvements will be paid to the town, estimated to be $13,169. And in the fifth full year following completion, an amount equal to 80 percent of taxes otherwise due on the new improvements will be paid to the town, estimated to be $17,599.
The project improvements will generate an estimated $43,939 in payments-in-lieu-of-taxes to the town over the five year period. This is in addition to the annual $4,851 in full taxes on the land paid to the town, which totals $24,256 over the five years. Overall, the town stands to make $68,195 in that five-year period.
Following the expiration of the tax exemption, the project is estimated to generate a tax payment of approximately $26,801 This includes the taxes on the land and is based on the current tax rate.
6108 Fillmore Place (left) and 6110 Fillmore Place (right) as of July 2018.
6110 Fillmore Place
The town is also considering an ordinance with the same redeveloper for another project at 6110 Fillmore Place. This project also consists of three residential units in a nearly completed three-story multi-family home with ground-floor parking built on the site of a former parking lot, and the numbers for this agreement are identical to the first.
In 2020, the property generated $4,851 which represented taxes on the land. Under the five-year tax exemption, 6108 Fillmore, LLC would be required to pay the town full taxes on the land, estimated to be $4,851 per year, reaping the town $24,256 for the three residential units over the five years.
Those payments would occur in addition to the payments-in-lieu-of-taxes to the town under the agreement for the new improvements to the site consisting of the three residential units. When the project is completed, the taxes on the new improvements are estimated to be an annual $21,949 for the three residential units based on the current tax rate.
For the first full year following substantial completion, there would be no payments made on the new improvements. The second full year following completion, an amount equal to 20 percent of the taxes otherwise due on the new improvements will be paid to the town, estimated to be $4,389 of the $21,949. In the third full year, an amount equal to 40 percent of taxes otherwise due on the new improvements will be paid to the town, estimated to be $8,779.
In the fourth full year, an amount equal to 60 percent of taxes otherwise due on the new improvements will be paid to the town, estimated to be $13,169 And in the fifth full year following completion, an amount equal to 80 percent of taxes otherwise due on the new improvements will be paid to the town, estimated to be $17,599.
The project improvements will generate an estimated $43,939 in payments-in-lieu-of-taxes to the town over the five year period. This is in addition to the annual $4,851 in full taxes on the land paid to the town, which totals $24,256 over the five years. Overall, the town stands to make $68,195 in that five-year period.
Following the expiration of the tax exemption, the project is estimated to generate a tax payment of approximately $26,801 This includes the taxes on the land and is based on the current tax rate.
In total, the town would benefit from the agreements to the tune of $136,390. Each project consists of three-story multi-family homes with a ground-floor garage and three units each, down from the redeveloper’s proposed 10 unit, four-story building originally shot down by the Zoning Board of Adjustment in May of 2020.
Both ordinances authorizing the five-year tax exemption will be up for a public hearing and vote at the next Board of Commissioners meeting on December 14, at 6:30 p.m. held remotely and or in person. For more information, go to westnewyorknj.org.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.
Another Bayonne police officer has unexpectedly passed away, according to Mayor James Davis. On November 21, Davis noted that Sergeant Robert Skalski died.
“Sadly, I must announce the passing of Bayonne Police Sergeant Robert Skalski,” Davis said in a statement. “Robert died, unexpectedly in his home this morning.”
Skalski served Bayonne for over 24 years, and was well known throughout the city, according to Davis.
“On behalf of our entire community, I want to express our deepest condolences to wife Carole, daughters Rebecca and Victoria, and his brother Raymond, who is a retired Sergeant from the Bayonne Police Department,” Davis said. “Rest in Peace Robert.”
Police Chief Robert Geisler echoed Davis in offering his condolences to the family.
“It is with profound sadness that I announce the death of Bayonne Police Sergeant Robert Skalski. Sergeant Skalski died unexpectedly on 11-21-2022,” Geisler said in a statement. “Sergeant Skalski diligently served our community for approximately 24 years. He will be sorely missed. On behalf of myself and the entire department, we send our deepest condolences to the entire Skalski Family.”
In addition, the Hoboken PBA Local No. 2 also offered their thoughts and prayers.
“It’s with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Sergeant Robert Skalski of the Bayonne Police Department,” the organization wrote on social media. “This is the second sudden loss for the Bayonne Police Department in a week. We ask that you keep Sergeant Skalski’s family and his Police family in your thoughts and prayers.”
This is the second death in the past two weeks, following the passing of Captain Paul Jamolawicz on November 11. The first in the line of duty death for the Bayonne Police Department in 52 years, he was laid to rest in Bayonne on November 17 with a massive showing of local law enforcement officers.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.
The 9-page slide presentation was filed under G-J Planning Presentation to the city’s planning board
The Jersey City Planning Board has approved the Grand Jersey Redevelopment Plan, a project which would make changes to the street grid near Liberty State Park.
With the support of a unanimous vote (9-0) from the board, the project is now underway, featuring a greenway bikeway alley from Grand Street near the Jersey City Medical Center towards the south end of Liberty State Park.
The summary of the project was filed in the city’s agenda “pertaining to an amendment to the Grand Jersey Redevelopment Plan regarding modifications to the street grid and regulating maps, building types, and street sections.”
Liz Opper, who is the city’s Urban Designer, presented the proposal, said the redevelopment plan would make “significant changes to the street grid which would end up changing the shape of the blocks.”
The 9-page slide presentation was filed under G-J Planning Presentation to the city’s planning board.
Opper explained the redevelopment planning amendments are divided into two parts, one being the city-like component of the project and the other a designated redeveloper.
Eugene Paolino, an attorney, discussed how the wide swath of land near LSP would be bisected by the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail in the redevelopment proposal, and the plan would include Mill Creek.
According to Paolino there are three separate redevelopment agreements with the land developer company Argent Ventures. He said discussions had been held with the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority along with Jersey City Department of Environmental Protection, Jersey City Redevelopment Agency and the Division of City Planning.
“The changes that you see and that are proposed are a function of what I would call ‘refinements and readjustments’ of the planning as it has progressed over the last four or five years,” said Paolino.
After he spoke, Charles Heydt, the planner behind the redevelopment project said that the project did not increase density or unit count, but “due to the virtue of the lot size they adjusted to follow city guidelines.” He said that part of the redevelopment project would incorporate post-industrial Brownfield sites.
In addition, he said the city had placed requirements under “26 A through Z goals” in order to move forward with the project, and according to Hedyt those goals have been met.
The Morris Canal Greenway, a walkway for pedestrians and cyclists is also included in the redevelopment plan. Opper, noted that the changes in the project would create a new neighborhood, “this is consistent with the redevelopment plan,” she said.
Planning Board Chair Christopher Langston asked for a floor amendment to guarantee protections for all bike lanes. He also said that protections from blocks sold off to other developers were not seen in this plan.
“I know that might not be the intention here but looking at it in black and white I am just tightening this up here,” said Langston.
Paolino said that there was an evident need for flexibility when it comes to registering the number of units per block. He said that this was a contested issue brought up numerous times with the JRCA. “I think there’s a need for the developer to not be so straightened by regulations,” he said.
The board voted on a (9-0) unanimous vote approving the Grand Jersey Redevelopment Plan.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Jordan Coll can be reached at jcoll@hudsonreporter.com.
A view heading westbound on Hops Lane in Secaucus. Image via Google Maps.
Secaucus is considering amending where parking is prohibited on Hops Lane.
Mayor Michael Gonnelli and the Town Council introduced an ordinance that would do so at its Wednesday, November 9 meeting.
The council previously enacted measures to alleviate dangerous situations on the town’s streets, promote safe passage for motorists and vehicles, to address traffic flow, and specify penalties for violations.
Upon review and recommendation of the Police Department, the mayor and council have determined that changes to the ordinance are warranted on Hops Lane to accommodate the parking and traffic needs of the area.
On the south side of Hops Lane, parking is currently prohibited along the entire length. Now, it would only be prohibited from Schmidt’s Place to Paterson Plank Road.
On the north side of Hops Lane, parking is currently not prohibited. Under the ordinance, it would be prohibited on that side of the road from Stonewall Lane to Schmidt’s Place.
Traffic study conducted by police
Prior to the ordinance being introduced, the Police Department Traffic Bureau conducted a traffic study to evaluate the parking in the area of Hops Lane. The one-way road begins at Stonewall Lane and heads west to Paterson Plank Road.
While the current ordinance prohibits parking on the south side of the entire length of Hops Lane, the study found that vehicles regularly park there anyway, specifically between Stonewall Lane and Schmidt’s Place. The study sought to determine why residents parked there despite being in violation.
Additionally, the study was largely in response to an incident caused when a large pickup with an attached trailer was parked on the south side of Hops Lane, directly in front of a home, and another vehicle was parked on the north side of Hops Lane, between Floral Terrace and Poplar Street.
The vehicles being parked on both sides of the street restricted the travel lane rendering it impassable for large vehicles. Specifically impacted were school buses which were forced to re-route during school transit hours.
The focus of the study was ensuring the safety of the motorists while maintaining as many parking spaces without compromising the travel width of the roadway. The investigation by the Police Department found there were no signs delineating that there was no parking on either side of the street, which is why residents likely parked there in violation.
There are five houses on Hops Lane, with three located between Stonewall Lane and Schmidt’s Place. All three of those houses are on the south side of Hops Lane, and the remaining two homes are on the north side of Hops Lane between Schmidt’s Place and Paterson Plank Road, which the study identified as the likely reason that parking shifts to the north side of the street in that area.
Hops Lane averages approximately 22 feet wide, never expanding wider than 25 feet and becoming narrow at 20 feet, specifically in the area between Schmidt’s Lane and Paterson Plank Road. At its widest, the roadway does not offer enough width for parking on both sides while maintaining the minimum 12 foot travel lane.
Options to address the issue limited
Because of these things, the option to amend the ordinance and allow for parking on both sides did not present itself as a solution in this case, according to the study. A second option of allowing vehicles to continue parking in the manner in which they have been was also deemed not a solution by the police.
A third option was to erect proper signage and begin enforcement of the ordinance. However, an obstacle to that was driver conditioning the study said, as Stonewall Lane transitions into Hops Lane around a blind right-hand curve. Due to the current state of parking in the area, when entering Hops Lane, immediately following the curve from Stonewall Lane, drivers are conditioned to expect the north side of the street to be clear of parked cars.
The department assumed that because it is a residential road, the drivers using this road and the roads in the area are familiar with the status quo. Creating a change to the pattern, specifically enforcing the no parking on the south side and forcing vehicles to park on the north side, will create a significant difference and doing so on the blind side of the curve will take a considerable amount of reconditioning, according to the study.
In addition, if the parking prohibition was enforced on the south side, there would be a significant increase to the pedestrian traffic crossing the road, creating another abnormal condition for drivers to become accustomed to. The study ultimately found that the violation of the town’s ordinance has gone unenforced for too longer and beginning to enforce it now would create safety concerns and too great of an impact on the public.
According to the study, changing the ordinance to prohibit parking on the north side of the street instead of the south, except for the portion on Hops Lane between Schmidt’s Place and Paterson Plank Road, would be the best solution.
Following the change, signs will be placed between Stonewall Lane and Schmidt’s Place on the north side of the street, and between Schmidt’s Place and Paterson Plank Road on the south side of the street.
Once the parking signs are in place, regular enforcement of the area will be conducted. Following that conclusion in the study, the council is set embrace that exact recommendation from the Police Department.
“It is our opinion, based on our investigation that this strategy will minimize the impact on the residents in the area by causing the least increase in pedestrians crossing the road, eliminating the need for driver reconditioning, and lastly, have the least impact on the amount of parking in the area,” wrote Officer Michael Bronowich of the Police Department’s Traffic Bureau in the traffic study.
The ordinance will be up for a public hearing and vote at future meeting. The Town Council will meet next on Tuesday, November 22. For more information, go to secaucusnj.gov.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.
A mock up of the what the entrance to 1888 Studios will look like from Avenue A. Renderings by architectural firm Gensler.
Bayonne is preparing to sell tens of millions of dollars in bonds to support the estimated $900 million construction cost of what redevelopers say will be the largest ground-up film studio in New Jersey, to be known as 1888 Studios, at the former Texaco site.
At the site at the terminus of Avenue A, surrounded by the Kill van Kull and Bayonne Bridge, Togus Urban Renewal, LLC is redeveloping the land into the film studio, which will be constructed using “100 percent union labor” through contractor Turner Construction.
At its November meeting, the City Council approved an application for the bonds to the Local Finance Board. According to its resolution, the city wants the approval from the Local Finance Board to issue up to $65 million of general obligation redevelopment area bonds.
The resolution states the city believes the bond issue is in the public interest, that the improvements are for the betterment of the community, that the amount to be spent is not unreasonable or exorbitant, and that the proposal will provide services for residents and will not create a financial burden.
Before the resolution was approved, resident Gail Godesky asked if this was the right time for the bond: “Are we going too late to the dance?”
This sparked some music-themed wordplay during the back-and-forth with Law Director Jay Coffey. He disagreed that the city was moving on this too late: “If they’re still playing music, it’s not too late. And they are still playing music.”
Godesky said with film studios being built in Newark and even in Oceanport, where Coffey is the mayor, that Bayonne shouldn’t risk paying anything into the film studio when a recession could be lurking around the corner.
Godesky asked, “Do we really want to take that chance now with the recession on the horizon, with inflation, and with people losing their jobs? Construction, development, and everything is going to start slowing down.”
Coffey said that it was a legitimate question, but that Bayonne was farther along than Newark and Oceanport. He said that in Oceanport, the municipality has not yet finalized a contract with Netflix.
“It’s a risk-reward scenario,” Coffey said. “You’re asking why we should go through with this and put $65 million up on a $900 billion dollar project… The answer is… what’s securing our $65 million is not just the land itself.”
Provision built in to assist city if need be
Coffey added the bonds are secured by the letter of credit provided by the redeveloper and the land itself. There is also a provision where the city can step in if the project falls through and take the land without going through the foreclosure process.
“There will be a letter of credit that underscores and secures the debt,” Coffey said. “It’s a letter of credit that provides cross collateralization, where you have equity and then you have actual real property. Then as the property gets developed, the letter of credit will be commensurately reduced because the value of the property is going up as the property is being built. If the property is not built, our total exposure is $65 million. I would dare say that having the land plus a $65 million letter of credit provides us with sufficient security. It even provides for any costs associated with taking over the property that would be borne by the developer. So that’s really a triple net zero to us.”
Godesky questioned why the redevelopers, including Togus Urban Renewal, LLC, couldn’t get a construction loan. Coffey said they are already getting a construction loan “of an incredible proportion.”
Godesky asked why they needed the bonds then and if they are short $65 million. Coffey said they are not short, and that this ensured construction was done how the city wanted it.
“This is a way to ensure that the development is done in a way that’s commensurate with what we want down there, how it’s going to be done, the type of labor that’s going to be used down there,” Coffey said. “This is a massive undertaking, and the city, by going after this financing, gets better rates than a private entity can… We get better rates. Are we involved in the risk? Yes. But this is a billion dollar project that brings thousands of jobs to the city of Bayonne.”
Coffey was confident in the nearly $1 billion investment by the redevelopers, which consists of $700 million in construction costs and $200 million in land costs and redevelopment fees. Godesky reiterated that now might not be the time amid a potential recession.
Coffey reiterated there is not a better time, noting that nothing was constructed in Bayonne between 2001 and 2014. However, after that, the market and the city’s outlook changed, with it being more willing to take risks to bring investors to Bayonne leading to a redevelopment boom in recent years.
“It was with great consternation we started opening up the spigot,” Coffey said. “These rooms were filled by people concerned about what happens if we do too much, what happens if we don’t do enough. I would say that now that the market has changed, you’re going to see a different approach to development on both the development side and our side.”
A rendering of the main road through the film studio.
Content creation industry not subject to ‘market vagueries’
According to Coffey, the content creation industry continues strong regardless of the market. He said that a shift away from filming in Hollywood has prompted a need that 1888 Studios would seek to fill.
“In this case, this industry… creating content… for the foreseeable future, it’s not really something that’s subject to the vagueries of the market,” Coffey said. “Building this project is. But as far as content creation right now, I would say that for the next decade, there is a need to be able to create your own content and not having to deal with Hollywood and certain large corporations that would charge you for the services. These self-contained units where they make their own content and they don’t have to worry about another provider, that’s the business model that’s working.”
Coffey said that spaces like a film studio for content creation are coming to the East Coast now for a variety of reasons. He said that there’s been a paradigm change and that Netflix and the studios in Newark and Brooklyn have a different outlook than Godesky as to how things are going to go in the future.
Coffey conceded they could be wrong, to which Godesky conceded she may be wrong too. But she still felt it wasn’t the right time amid a possible recession.
“They’re playing the last song,” Godesky said continuing the musical analogy. “The bottom line is, I don’t think it’s the right time. I liked their presentation …a lot of people in Bayonne did. But right now, the way things are turning in the global economy. I just don’t think it’s the right time.”
Coffey noted that it’s more the redeveloper’s risk as opposed to the city, as long as the city is secured through the land itself and the letter of credit. Godesky asked if the city would need to sell the property if everything fell through, to which Coffey noted it likely wouldn’t need to do that since it has $65 million bonds backing it up.
Godesky still disagreed with the project, but Coffey remained adamant it would be a risk worth taking. The council then unanimously approved the resolution.
No working nights, weekends, and holidays
Also at the November meeting, the council voted on another resolution regarding 1888 Studios that would have authorized redeveloper Togus Urban Renewal, LLC to work on nights, weekends, and some holidays. Coffey said this is in conjunction with raising the elevation nearly 17 and a half feet.
“We have a restriction against performing work on national holidays,” Coffey said. “There is water-based work. Essentially, it involves barges coming in to build up the site. The request was, could they have an exemption from the no work ordinance on federal holidays.”
Coffey said that through discussions, Mayor James Davis did not have a problem with it due to its isolated location at the tip of the Bergen Point neighborhood. However, the only holiday Davis was opposed to was Christmas.
La Pelusa said the resolution would allow construction for six federal holidays, except for Christmas Day. It would apply for the rest of this year and run until the end of February in 2023.
Second Ward City Councilwoman Jacqueline Weimmer noted she was concerned it would be a quality of life issue. La Pelusa agreed, but highlighted there was a measure that would allow the council to negate the resolution if there are issues.
“I’m always against allowing work on holidays and after hours,” La Pelusa said. “But this has a provision here that the city reserves the right to declare this resolution null and void, without further action by the municipal council, if any justified complaints are lodged with the Bayonne Police Department, the Bayonne Law Department, or any other department within the city of Bayonne in connection with the noise disturbances arising out of said construction activity.”
La Pelusa said there were some residences in the area. But he noted the immediate surroundings were mostly non-residential uses.
“That’s the reason why I would consider it,” La Pelusa said.
A rendering of the planned mill buildings on the site.
Raising the site elevation
Coffey added this wasn’t for construction yet but for filling in the land to raise the elevation.
“It’s not so much construction as it is water-borne, like it’ll be coming up with barges on the west side of the property,” Coffey said.
Weimmer asked the audience at the meeting if there were any residents who lived in the area. While there were none present, another resident Mike Ruscigno, addressed the issue, stating the work was more than just barges dropping off dirt.
“What they’re doing now, they’re compacting property while they clear the contamination and dropping in new dirt and pounding it,” Ruscigno said. “That cannot go on. You hear it everywhere. People go to the park to enjoy it and do stuff. So they don’t want it going on during the holidays.”
La Pelusa repeated that if there were any complaints, the council could void the resolution.Godesky said that the resolution wasn’t worth it and asked the council to vote against it.
“It’s going to take years for them to build it anyway,” Godesky said. “Don’t allow it please. Quality of life is important. We’re losing our quality of life here in this city… with all the construction and everything else going on. It’s not worth it. They could do without the six days, we’re giving them $65 million.”
La Pelusa reminded that another caveat of the resolution was that it could allow them to work at night from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Godesky called that ridiculous, and that it would affect people who live in the area.
First Ward City Councilman Neil Carroll said he was more concerned about work going on during the nights and weekends than on holidays. Weimmer agreed, to which La Pelusa echoed them both, and suggested the council not do it.
With that, the resolution was not approved. Meanwhile, also at the meeting an ordinance set to be introduced that would approve a financial agreement with Togus Urban Renewal, LLC was withdrawn. The city previously announced its intention to enter into a payments-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement with Togus Urban Renewal, LLC which will bring in $200 million to the city over a 30-year term.
While things are still being ironed out, the city and redevelopers are very much moving forward with the construction of 1888 Studios full steam ahead. Vertical construction of the studio is slated for the first quarter of 2023, and some industry insiders are already hyping the project.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.
Donate coats to students and families in need in Union City until the end of December. Image via Shutterstock.
Union City is set to hold its annual Winter Coat Drive from November 21 through December 30. The drive is hosted by the Union City Office of Community Relations by Director Mercedes Joaquin.
The past few years the Office of Community Relations has been conducting the Winter Coat Drive for needy students in the school district those families can’t afford to buy them a winter coat due to financial hardship.
For a child, a brand new coat can be more than a coat. According to the city, it not only helps to keep them warm, but also can change a child’s life and empower them with greater self-confidence, peer acceptance, and increase school attendance and overall wellness.
Drop off locations are Union City Public Schools. Collection boxes will be at the entrance of each school.
Items needed include: coats, gloves, scarves, socks, hats, and sweaters. All sizes are requested, from toddler, to children, to juniors, and adults.
According to the city, each gift will have the ability to transform a child’s life and relay the message “You are worth it.”
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.
The unveiling of the new Bergenview Apartments at 654 Bergen Avenue comes after the substantial rehabilitation and preservation of a historic former YMCA building
Mayor Steven M. Fulop joined The Community Builders (TCB) and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) recently to celebrate the substantial rehabilitation and grand opening of Bergenview Apartments.
“The Community Builders is thrilled to give this historic site new life as Bergenview Apartments, providing residents with stable housing and supportive services to make the neighborhood even stronger,” said Jacqueline Alexander, The Community Builders’ regional Vice President for real estate development.
“I extend my deepest thanks and a well-earned congratulations to Mayor Fulop, the NJHMFA, and the many partners, stakeholders, and neighbors who made this development possible, especially the people who call Bergenview Apartments home. We’re proud to continue to provide residents with quality homes, supportive services, and new amenities as they begin a new chapter in their lives.”
The unveiling of the new Bergenview Apartments at 654 Bergen Avenue comes after the substantial rehabilitation and preservation of a historic former YMCA building. The apartment community features 111 studio apartments for individuals who have previously experienced homelessness.
“These newly renovated units provide formerly homeless residents with a place they can really feel at home with their very own kitchen and bathroom facilities and other updated amenities,” said Mayor Fulop. “We are grateful to The Community Builders and NJHMFA for their great work on this project and the on-site supportive services and community resources they offer to help residents who formerly experienced homelessness find a path for a successful future.”
All of the affordable homes now feature in-unit private bathrooms, kitchens, and energy efficient appliances. Additionally, the new amenities are specifically designed to create an engaging environment for all residents.
New common amenities include an on-site property management and social service suite, a gym, and a bicycle storage room. A newly designed community room fosters gatherings with a foosball and ping pong table, a demonstration kitchen, and a learning center.
The rehabilitation also includes enhanced major building systems, including HVAC, roof, and elevator. Environmentally friendly, Bergenview Apartments achieved ENERGY STAR and Enterprise Green Communities (EGC) certifications.
“NJHMFA is proud to support and finance the rehabilitation of Bergenview Apartments, a development that will provide over 100 Jersey City residents with long-term, affordable housing opportunities,” said NJHMFA Managing Architect Roger Grutzmacher.
The Community Builders acquired the historic YMCA building in 1999 and, under the HUD McKinney Program, converted the structure from a 210-unit, single room occupancy (SRO) building into a 131-unit building containing 59 SRO units and 72 studios serving formerly homeless residents.
In November 2020, TCB secured construction financing to substantially rehabilitate and convert the site under the HUD Rental Assistance Demonstration Program (RAD). The renovation converted the remaining 59 SRO units into 40 studio units.
The preservation of Bergenview Apartments was made possible through funding provided by NJHMFA, low-income housing tax credit equity, FHLB-AHP funding, and TD Bank. Boston Financial Investment Management (BFIM) will serve as syndicator, and the Community Preservation Corporation (CPC) will service the permanent mortgage, a tax-exempt loan provided through Freddie Mac. Kramer+Marks Architects (KMA) is the project architect. Pike Construction Co. LLC is the general contractor.
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