Dear Friend of the Embankment:

On July 12th, 2005 Steve Hyman purchased the Embankment property using 8 separate L.L.C.s    As you know his lawyers told the City Council on June 8th that they would '"seek removal of the walls" to build housing on the site.   We have been told that his representatives will be at the August 9th Planning Board meeting seeking permission to sub-divide the property so that it can be developed.

Besides the unthinkable loss of this historic site and open space resource, at this time we must also consider the special impact that demolition of this monumental structure and construction of housing will have on nearby homeowners and residents.  Dust, noise, trucks, contamination, debris, street closings, threats to the integrity of your historic buildings by the use of heavy equipment—consider how these things will impact your quality of life.
 
The Council has passed two ordinances saying that the City intends to condemn the property to preserve it as an historic landmark and open space/park for the people of Jersey City.  They have commissioned surveys, appraisals, and other work required for condemnation.  But the pace of their work is slow, while the developer is acting aggressively to move forward with plans to build and arguing that the people of downtown want more housing not more open space   It is critical that you let the city know how urgent it is for them to take the property by eminent domain NOW.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

1. CALL THE MAYOR’S OFFICE NOW (201) 547-5200, If you do ONE thing make this call and tell the Mayor that you fully expect the administration to follow through on its commitment to take the Embankment by eminent domain to MAKE THE EMBANKMENT A PARK ONCE & FOR ALL!  This action has been promised by three administrations.  Let him know just how important this issue is to you!

2.  SIGN OUR PETITION  If you have not already signed our petition, please download it from this page or the home page.  Have your entire family sign.   Ask others you know to sign it.  Be sure to include your email so we can keep everyone posted as events unfold.  Return the petition to 495 Monmouth Street by August 8th.   On August 11th we will present the Mayor and City Council with thousands of names to show that the people of Jersey City are serious about keeping the Embankment as desperately needed open space.   Getting these petitions filled is CRITICAL Please help.  If you are too busy to drop it off, please call 917-379-3455 we’ll come pick it up.

3.  Join the local organizations that will deal with matters specific to nearby residents:  If you live 6th Street - join the Sixth Street Block Association by emailing Felicia@sohh.com or calling 201-792-6466    If you live on 5th Street - join the newly forming Fifth Street Block Association by emailing Cgwcgw1@yahoo.com or calling 212 214-2236.  If you are a member of the Hamilton Park, Harsimus Cove, Van Vorst Park,  or Paulus Hook Neighborhood Associations, let them know you are deeply concerned about this matter. 

4.  Join the Embankment Preservation Coalition, the organization that has worked for seven years to save the Embankment.  The Coalition needs your support.  Go to www.embankment.org to learn more or call 917-379-3455 or email info@embankment.org.

5.  Call Council President Mariano Vega, (201) 547-5268, who sits on the Embankment Acquisition Steering Committee, and ask him to help speed up the process of taking the Embankment.

6. Call our new Ward E Councilperson Steve Fulop at (201) 547-5315 to let him know that you urgently support his efforts to stop the demolition of the Embankment.  Mr. Fulop is on our side, but you need to let him know that he is representing a majority of his constituents.

Thanks for taking these important actions to help keep the city on course with the condemnation of this property.

In the last year and a half more than 10,0000 residential units have been proposed, approved, are under construction or completed with virtually no provision for open space or parkland.  See below for details.   Jersey City Residents support good city planning and wise development which must include more open space for all the people.

TELL THE MAYOR YOU DEMAND MORE OPEN SPACE!

TELL THE MAYOR NOT TO LET DEVELOPERS DEMOLISH AND BUILD ON THE 6th STREET EMBANKMENT!!

The following is a list PARTIAL LIST of residential development projects that have been proposed, approved, are under construction or have been completed between from 2004-2005 – this list DOES NOT INCLUDE the St. Francis Hospital Condo Complex, 10th & Erie St. Condos or Condos planned for Newark Avenue near the Turnpike.

 

PROJECT NAME

UNITS

PARKING

 

PROJECT NAME

UNITS

PARKING

 

Grove Pointe

525

597

 

Fulton's Landing

105

72

 

Ulysses S. Grant

133

132

 

Hudson Point

181

196

 

Grover Cleveland

133

132

 

Pier I House

180

233

 

99-97 Montgomery Street

12

0

 

Essex Commons

70

69

 

Columbus Corner

150

 

 

Liberty Tower

648

777

 

Dean/Hyman (Location?)

400

 

 

61-63  Sussex & 60 Morris

13

13

 

Liberty Harbor North Phase 1

650

 

 

Harboside North Pier

296

280

 

Bath house

11

 

 

150 Bay Street

59

 

 

Columbus Towers residential

306

306

 

Marbella

412

388

 

Metropolis tower

420

 

 

Pacific Apt Tower

336

240

 

Pier House II Paulus Hook

71

80

 

Washington First Plaza

204

 

 

Liberty View Terrace

129

 

 

Grand View, 59-75 Green Street

40

 

 

Montgomery Green Tower

113

97

 

150 Bay Street

240

0

 

Harborspires 50 * 55 story towers

862

786

 

New Town Houses

8

4

 

126-142 Morgan

285

217

*

Gotham

220

328

 

Newport New Quad Plaza Wilson

341

276

 

The Legacy & Liberty Park

324

359

 

Roosevelt

133

9

 

Sugar House

74

67

 

187 Erie

16

16

 

72-78 Morris Street

19

10

 

700 Grove

230

261

 

Portofino

283

299

 

311 Washington

68

46

 

South Hampton Apt Tower

409

269

 

Bright & Grand Townhouses

10

10

 

Lincoln

153

3036

 

Majestic Theatre

48

31

 

Morgan Point Steuben St & Marin

78

31

 

143-151 Morgan Street

40

40

 

Waldo Lofts, 159 2nd Street

82

 

 

Liberty Point 187 Warren Street

32

 

 

The Shore Club Newport Pkwy

212

 

 

Washington & First

200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL UNITS:         9964

 

 

 

 

TOTAL PARKING:   6640

TOTAL PARKS:          -

 

 

 

*Figures are based on Planning Dept and JCEDC Documents and may change