Journal Square Jersey City 07306 » Development and Real Estate

Hilltop Neighborhood Assn Meeting Tonight

Del — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:43:56 +0000

Tonight, June 28, 2010 at 7:30PM The Hilltop Neighborhood Association will be holding a meeting to spread information on the following topics:

The Journal Square Redevelopment – “Are 80 story buildings coming?”
St. Joseph Nursing Home – “Planned Greenspace Area”
The New City Hall Annex - “More tax spending, when will it stop?”

If you want to get involved in the community, attend the meeting tonight (7:30PM) at St. Joseph’s Church Basement. You can also join their yahoogroup HERE.

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New Plan: The Journal Square 2060 Redevelopment Plan

Del — Tue, 11 May 2010 01:21:45 +0000

The Journal Square Redevelopment Plan has been revised last Friday. From the sources that I’ve read, (NJ.com, JC Independent, and JC City Planning Division), there will be some changes in the plan which include: zonings (nine zones in the JSQ including the Beacon area), and more open spaces (city will build decks over the open PATH tracks).

The 2060 plan will still focus on Zone 1 – the empty lot by the PATH station, the previous location of the demolished hotels – bounded by Sip Avenue, JFK boulevard, Pavonia Avenue, and Summit Avenue.

The zones are mapped below:

Click to view larger size

The Pedestrian Plaza
The planned open space for pedestrians is bounded by Garrison Avenue on the west, and Baldwin Avenue on the east, as shown in the maps below:

The color green highlights the Pedestrian Plaza

Open PATH Rails - JFK Boulevard and Pavonia. Loews in the background.

Baldwin Avenue overlooking PATH Transportation Building

Follow the link to download and read the Journal Square 2060 Redevelopment Plan. If you think 37 pages is a long read, just click on the links above(nj.com and JCI) for a summarized read.

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JSQ Redevelopment Scaled Down; Planning Board Will Meet with Residents

Del — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:26:10 +0000

Originally, the Journal Square Redevelopment Plan — dubbed as the “Vision” — covered a wider territory of our district. It was scaled down, though, after hearing what the residents have to say.

The new plan features the development of the two tall towers (City Center) and only includes the square itself — bordered by the following streets: John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Bergen Avenue, Sip Avenue, Summit Avenue.

(Note: Although the demolition of dilapidated hotel was celebrated during the Renaissance Ceremony last April, nothing seems to be going on in the area even though it was said that the development will start later that year.)

According to Jersey Journal, Jersey City planning officials will hold a meeting with residents and community groups before moving ahead with a Journal Square redevelopment plan. So Expect more changes and revisions to the plan before any move is done.

News and Info Sources:

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From JJ Editorial: “Journal Square needs more than it gets”

Del — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:44:45 +0000

The Jersey Journal (JJ) asks today why the redevelopment of Journal Square is taking so long. The editorial points the finger to the Special Improvement District (SID) – the agency responsible for the beautification of our district, including the promotion of local businesses.

Snippet of the editorial:

… It is time to re-evaluate this agency, which is funded by imposing special tax assessments on commercial property owners to produce what initial taxes failed to provide — clean streets, security and successful promotion of Journal Square.

There is little evidence that the SID does much to help shop owners or attract a bounty of new retail stores that are a step up from fast-food eateries. It is time to go beyond providing new facades for old stores…

JJ then proceeds to compare JSQ SID to other SID’s of New Jersey, including our neighbor Mcginley Square. “…The McGinley Square SID seems more successful. It at least provides a newsletter and holds events — and volunteers run the agency’s show. It is time for some accountability in Journal Square.”

Read the rest HERE.

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Last Known Activity at the Future site of the Tower

Del — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:51:19 +0000

Photo credit: JCConstruction.blogspot.com; click to visit the original post.

About a month ago, this was the last know activity on the square, as captured by Brooklynfoo of Jersey City Construction blog. A truck appears to be sucking up mud, “though I dont really know what was going on, I can only assume this is some form of preliminary work towards construction which was set to begin by the end of this year….” Brooklynfoo writes.

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House on Pavonia & Homestead Pl, Jersey City

Del — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:25:11 +0000

Brooklynfoo of JCConstruction Blog features this house at the corner of Homestead Place and Pavonia Avenue, Jersey City (between Summit and JFK). He shows how the house evolved (complete with pictures) from Winter to Summer. This place is close to Journal Square PATH Train station and bus station platforms. (MAP)

Here’s a little game: from the photo above spot the (many) differences between January and August. ;)

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Dream Come True: Sip Ave, Jersey City – Repaved

Del — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:45:36 +0000

First of all, I’m glad to be back from 3-week hiatus. I’m officially married and I needed a few weeks to take care of everything. Despite that, I still took some photos while my ex-girlfriend (now wife) was with me.

Today, I’d like to point out that finally, driving on Sip Avenue doesn’t feel like we are sailing on an angry sea.

Jersey City received repaving funds last March, and this month, portion of Sip Avenue (between JFK boulevard and West Side Avenue) has been repaved: no more potholes and sinkholes, and lanes are newly-painted.

Look at the pictures below to see the development – from being ripped up to getting done!

Sip Avenue – Ripped up!

Sip Avenue – Finally Done!

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Construction: Cottage Street and JFK Jersey City

Del — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:57:40 +0000

This building on John F. Kennedy Boulevard (corner Cottage Street) couple of blocks north of Journal Square PATH Station is undergoing construction, finally.

More photos …

The said structure seemed abandoned, even before American Hero next door moved across the street. (Tiffin Box had replaced American Hero, but it shut down after less than a year in business).

Cottage-JFK from couple of years ago (screen cap from Google Maps)

As you can see from the BEFORE photo above, a company called UTI was once here in Journal Square.

Now that the construction is on-going, I wonder what kind of business will occupy this site.

And for how long.

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Jersey City Sidewalks: Handicap Curb Ramps

Del — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 09:00:56 +0000

New handicap curb ramps can be seen on Sip Avenue (corners of Garrison, Romaine, and Van Wagenen Avenues). Is this part of the repaving funds that Jersey City received last March?

This was started early this week, and you probably have noticed orange drums and cones on each corner. These constructions were the same ones on Vroom Street few weeks back (not posted here).

I believe handicap curb cuts are required by law.

Anyway, I’m still waiting for the repaving of Sip Avenue, particularly on the west of Bergen Avenue — from HCCC Culinary Arts Plaza to West Side Avenue. I think I will be singing halleluiah when those potholes and sinkholes are finally gone.

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65-79 Sip Avenue Jersey City: Construction Soon?

Del — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:58:27 +0000

This building at 65 Sip Avenue has been abandoned for ages, in my estimate, at the same time as the demolished hotel on the square. Based on the name on Jones Street entrance, the site was the occupied by Hudson Physical Therapy before it was abandoned.

Last week, I noticed this structure (65-75 Sip Avenue) is already fenced. Construction on the way?

See more photos inside this post …

I took the following photos last Fall, September of 2008…

The building without the fence. This is an eyesore in Journal Square, along with another building across the street (not in the picture).

The issuance date of construction building notice says “May 2007″, for interioir demolition.

Junks accumulate in the front of 75 Sip Avenue. Who’s in-charge of cleaning the garbage if the structure is abandoned?

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