|
Embankment Tracks Issue 2, August 10, 2007
|
|
| Issue 2, August 10, 2007 |
Embankment Tracks The Newsletter of the Embankment Preservation Coalition |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
City & Coalition Win at STB
Aug. 9. In a big win for the City of
Jersey City and the Embankment Preservation Coalition, the federal
Surface Transportation Board ruled today that Conrail needs
authorization to abandon the 6th Street Embankment. Conrail
sold the property to an investor, SLH Properties, in July 2005, without
requesting authorization from the Board.
But Further Community Action Required |
Community Asked to Speak Out At Hearings Aug. 14 & 20
Though the Surface Transportation Board ruling noted above should
take precedence over local land use applications, the developer may
move ahead in the hopes that the STB ruling will be overturned on
appeal.
For this reason, we are asking supporters to speak out at two hearings scheduled in the next ten days:
- Tuesday, August 14, 5:30 pm, Jersey City Planning Board, City Hall, 280 Grove St. The
developer has applied for Final Major Site Plan approval for four
Embankment blocks, 6th Street, from Erie to Brunswick. The
hearing begins with Item 6 on the agenda.
- Monday, August 20, 6:30 pm, Jersey City Historic Preservation Commission, City Hall, 280 Grove St.
The developer has applied for demolition permits for the massive
Embankment structures and, if denied approval, will ask for a hardship
exemption.
To prepare for these meetings, see our letter to property owners along the Embankment and the flyer " What To Do Now."
Information about the composition and duties of the boards can be found here. Select the links Jersey City Municipal Code and then Chapter 245, for descriptions of the land use boards. |
Full Story on STB Decision
Federal Board Rules for City and Embankment Preservation Coalition
Washington, D.C., Aug. 9.
In a big win for the City of Jersey City and the Embankment
Preservation Coalition, the federal Surface Transportation Board ruled
today that Conrail needs authorization to abandon the 6th Street
Embankment. Conrail sold the property to an investor, SLH
Properties, in July 2005, without requesting authorization from
the Board.
 "This
is a huge win," said Jennifer Meyer, Coalition president. "It
opens many opportunities now for the City to work with willing County
and State partners to secure the property for public use. It also
looks as if the sale to the developer is void. Until we
understand the ramifications of the decision, however, the community
must maintain its vigilance. The developer has applications for
Major Site Plan Review and demolition permits before the Planning Board
and Historic Preservation Commission in the next ten days. For
all we know, he may press on with his local land use applications in
the hope that the STB decision will be overturned on appeal. We
are therefore asking Embankment supporters to attend the Planning
Board meeting August 14 and the Historic Preservation Commission
meeting August 20 and speak out for preservation."
The
City of Jersey City, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, the Embankment
Preservation Coalition, and Assemblyman Louis Manzo filed the STB
petition in January 2006. As the Coalition awaited the decision,
it identified acquisition funding and secured recognitions making the
site eligible for special funding.
Charles
Montange, attorney for the City and the Coalition,
said that "STB's decision today follows the law to the
letter. The Harsimus Embankment was clearly a line of railroad,
it was conveyed to Conrail as a line of railroad, it was used by
Conrail as a line of railroad, and it can only be abandoned and sold to
a developer if Conrail first obtains abandonment authority from STB,
which of course Conrail clearly did not. This is a great victory
for Jersey City, the historic preservation community, Rails to Trails
Conservancy, and supporters of the East Coast Greenway."
For the full text of the STB decision, click here. | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOIN NOW! |
Help Us Increase Our Strength in Numbers! The Embankment
Preservation Coalition has approximately 900 supporters who've
indicated they want to keep informed about Embankment events. As we
approach the final days of our nine-year struggle to preserve the
Embankment, we hope more of you will become dues-paying members.
Memberships start as low as $5 for seniors and students and $10 for
other individuals. Please see our website for membership forms. |
| |
|
Embankment Preservation Coalition | 495 Monmouth Street | Jersey City | NJ | 07302
|
|
