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Chronology
August 9, 2007: Surface  Transportation Board Rules in Favor of Coalition.  Conrail must abandon Embankment.  Full Story.
August 9, 2007: Coalition meets with Hudson County Freeholders to discuss Embankment acquisition.
August 8, 2007:  City, County, State meet to discuss Embankment acquisition.
August 3, 2007:  Surface Transportation Board staff attorney informs Coalition that the STB is expected to rule “very shortly” on the petition filed in January 2006 by City of Jersey City, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Embankment Preservation Coalition, and Assemblyman Louis M. Manzo challenging Conrail’s sale of the Embankment properties to a private developer without going through federal abandonment process.  The Coalition contends that the decision, whether favorable or unfavorable, will require the City and/or other governmental entities to act expeditiously to acquire the Embankment property by eminent domain.  The Coalition’s efforts in the last year were focused on raising and identifying funds for the City to acquire the property, with favorable responses from potential funders but less-than-assertive follow-through by the City Administration
August 2007: City continues to stall paperwork promised in May 2007 that would access funding already awarded; see May entry below.
July 2007: Subdivision of Embankment Blocks Denial of Subdivision Rescinded by Hudson County Planning Board.  Following their June denial of suibdivision applications by the developer’s Limited Liability Corporations (LLCs) for four Embankment blocks, the Hudson County Planning Board was alerted that a county facility was in the development impact area.  This fact was not noted on the original application.  The Board therefore rescinded their original vote, declared the original application incomplete, and asked for a traffic impact study.
June 2007: Subdivision of Embankment Blocks Requested by Developer Denied by the Hudson County Planning Board! Thanks to the dozens of Coalition supporters who attended and spoke! Read our news letter!!
May 2007: A step forward: City to proceed with stalled paperwork to access already awarded Green Acres and SAFETEA-LU grants for acquisition.
March 2007: Two steps backward: The City Administration decides not to file Embankment grant application with Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund, The Municipal Council turns down application for New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust loan that would have provided the City with instant money to acquire the Embankment, at approximately 1% interest for 20 years
Jan 3, 2007: Mayor requests NJ Transit study potential light rail routes, including one over the Embankment and through Bergen Arches.
July 22, 2006:  Superior Court Judge Gallipoli decision says that City Planning Board cannot deny subdivision of Embankment blocks.
May 2006:  Embankment is named to Preservation New Jersey's "New Jersey's 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites" list.
Feb 2006: STB institutes a declaratory order proceeding.
Jan 2006: SLH Holdings demolishes free-standing Embankment stanchion on Brunswick & 6th Streets.
Jan 2006: City Council Re-designates Embankment as a Municipal Landmark
Jan 2006: Jersey City, Rails-to-Trails, Embankment Preservation Coalition & Assemblyman Manzo file a Petition with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) challenging Conrail’s sale of the Embankment rail line right-of-way to a private developer, apparently without abandoning it according to federal regulations.
July 2005: Embankment Preservation Coalition advocacy resulted in a $1.6 million earmark, sponsored by Congressman Robert Menendez, in the SAFETEA-LU bill that passed Congress in July 2005.
July 12, 2005: Steve Hyman purchases the Embankment property using eight separate Limited Liability Corporations (L.L.C.s).
June 2005: Coalition’s application for placement on NY/NJ Harbor Estuary Program (HEP) Priority Acquisition List is approved, making it eligible for special funding.
June 8 2005: City of Jersey City passes ordinance enabling preparation for acquiring entire Embankment property.
Dec 2004: - NJ Legislature approves $800,000 in Green Acres Funding for  Acquisition of the Harsimus Stem Embankment!.
Sept 12, 2004: Coalition receives award from NY/NJ Baykeeper
September 8, 2004:  First Ordinance to Take Embankment Passed Unanimously
The Municipal Council, under the leadership of Mayor L. Harvey Smith, unanimously passed the ordinance enabling the City to take the Embankment by eminent domain.  The Coalition thanks the Mayor and Council members, particularly Ward E Councilman E. Junior Maldonado, who has supported Embankment preservation and reuse since he ran for office, and Councilman-at-large Mariano Vega, who is an active member of the East Coast Greenway Alliance.
Aug 11 2004: Mayor L. Harvey Smith and the Municipal Council introduce an ordinance to pursue acquisition of the Embankment through eminent domain
July 2004: The NJ Department of Environmental Protection announced that Jersey City will be awarded an $800,000 Green Acres grant to acquire the Embankment.   The City must secure matching funds in the amount of $266,000. 
March 24 2004: The Municipal Council unanimously passes a resolution in support of a Green Acres application submitted by the City
March 10 2004: City Council tells would-be developer they will stand by the Embankment's Landmark Designation.
Mar 2004: Jersey City ranked third most walkable city in US in Prevention Magazine Study.
March 16 2004: Coalition meets with Mayor Cunningham and Conrail to discuss acquisition of the Embankment!  Details/Articles
February 2004: Embankment Coalition wins grant from New Jersey Conservation Foundation,
with matching funds from NY/NJ Baykeeper, to hire an Embankment acquisition consultant. The consultant, Andrew Strauss, AICP/PP, has extensive experience in complex planning and land use matters, including acquisition of abandoned railroad rights-of-way.
March 12 2004: Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham states he will condemn Embankment if necessary to ensure Greenspace for Jersey City. 
March 10 2004: City Council tells would-be developer they will stand by the Embankment's Landmark Designation. Details/Articles...  Council members decline Steve Hyman's offer to trade his option to purchase the Embankment for a tax abatement on the Flintkote property. Junior Maldonado and others tell Mr. Hyman that they will stand by the historic landmark designation of the Embankment which they unanimously approved in January 2003.
February 2004. Embankment Coalition wins grant from New Jersey Conservation Foundation,
with matching funds from NY/NJ Baykeeper, to hire an Embankment acquisition consultant. The consultant, Andrew Strauss, AICP/PP, has extensive experience in complex planning and land use matters, including acquisition of abandoned railroad rights-of-way.
January 2003: Embankment is declared a Municipal Landmark by City Council.
Autumn 2003: Private developer Steve Hyman takes option from Conrail to purchase Embankment.
2000:  Embankment eligible for National Register of Historic Places (owner objection).  The Embankment meets all criteria for listing on the National Register, and enjoys the protections that are afforded listed sites.  Conrail, the owner, objected to the listing, which is duly noted in the Register but does not affect the Embankment’s standing.
1999: The Embankment is listed on the State Register of Historic Places. Listing followed a hearing and vote of the New Jersey State Review Board for Historic Sites and signing by the Commissioner of the State Department of Environmental Protection.  Mayor Bret Schundler sent a contingent of City employees and a consultant to the board hearing to argue against historic designation.  The vote of professionals on the board, however, was unanimous for listing.