The EMBANKMENT

[DarkMoment]

Sixth Street Embankment owner makes case to Jersey City Zoning Board to demolish structure

Published: Wednesday, September 01, 2010, 9:06 PM     Updated: Wednesday, September 01, 2010, 9:09 PM

Melissa Hayes


Developer Steve Hyman is asking the Jersey City Zoning Board of Adjustment to allow him to tear down the Sixth Street Embankment walls so he can build town houses.

The owner of an elevated parcel of land along Sixth Street in Jersey City began making his case to the Zoning Board of Adjustment tonight as to why he should be able to knock down the sandstone walls and build townhouses.

The meeting began at 6 p.m. and developer Steve Hyman’s first witness Hoboken architect Dean Marchetto is still on the stand speaking about the architecture and aesthetics of the old railroad embankment.

Hyman’s attorney Michele Donato spent about half an hour questioning Marchetto on his credentials and having him review historic projects he has worked on.

Marchetto detailed his experience in restoring historic sites and finding new uses for them and the ability of architects to design new construction that fits in a historic neighborhood.

Hyman’s team is using the city’s own words to argue why the embankment should be demolished.

In 1998, the city deemed the embankment an area in need of redevelopment. Marchetto cited the city Planning Division’s report from that year, which calls the structure a “nuisance” that separates the Hamilton Park neighborhood from the Harsimus Cove neighborhood to the detriment of the communities.

Marchetto testified that there is nothing special about the architecture of the wall that would make it historically significant.

“It’s an ordinary block wall of its time,” he said noting that some of the sections closest to the waterfront have been removed over the years to make way for development.

Marchetto is in the process of detailing the various design plans Hyman has proposed since his wife purchased the property in 2003.

In December 2003 Hyman met with the Embankment Preservation Coalition to discuss the coalition’s goals for the land, the coalition and city officials have been fighting to turn the property into a park, with the hopes of NJ Transit placing a light rail link there in the future.

The embankment consists of six elevated parcels of land and covers eight blocks along Sixth St. from Marin Boulevard across Newark Ave. It once served as a freight line with seven sets of tracks, known as the Harsimus Stem of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

Despite the 1998 study, the city moved to preserve the property, landing the dispute in court in 2005. The case has been through state and federal courts and Hudson County Superior Court Assignment Judge Maurice Gallipoli recently ordered the Zoning Board to hear Hyman’s request to tear down the walls.

Hyman is proposing 32 townhouses on each of the blocks, but wants to tear down the walls in order to do so. This deviates from the original plan conceived after meetings with the embankment supporters in 2003, that would have preserved several of the blocks, which concentrating development on two of the blocks. Hyman would have needed a variance to increase the density at Marin Boulevard and Mainla Ave. and has said the city rejected that proposal.

Once Marchetto is done explaining the plans, which include efforts by Hyman to preserve the walls, the Embankment Coalition’s attorney will have a chance to cross-examine him.

The meeting has been moving slowly and is expected to end at 10 p.m. After giving his background as to why he should be considered an expert witness, Marchetto began discussing the embankment around 7:30 p.m. By that point, several audience members including City Councilmen Steven Fulop and Michael Sottolano had already left the meeting.

Donato said she expects Marchetto to be the only witness tonight. She told Zoning Board members she would need two or three more meetings to make her case on behalf of Hyman. The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 22 at City Hall at 6 p.m.

© 2010 NJ.com. All rights reserved.

[MCA]

NOTICE
Zoning Board of Adjustment Hearing on Embankment Demolition
Wed, Sept 1, 2010, 6:00pm
City Hall Council Chambers
280 Grove St, Jersey City

On Wednesday, September 1, 2010, the Jersey City Zoning Board of Adjustment will hear applications to demolish the landmark Harsimus Branch Embankment, 6th Street, from Marin to Brunswick.

Demolition permits were previously denied by both the Historic Preservation Commission and the Zoning Board, but a Superior Court judge ruled that the applicants were entitled to a completely new hearing before the Zoning Board.

The Embankment Preservation Coalition has hired an attorney to represent our interests before the Board. If you are willing to testify for preservation, please let us know so we can coordinate our efforts: contact Maureen Crowley at mcrowley (at) embankment.org or 201.963.0232

If you share the Coalition vision to preserve this historic site, stop inappropriate development from intruding in the National Historic Districts, reuse the Embankment as a habitat-oriented park, connect it to local and regional greenways, and retain a transportation corridor that can never again be assembled, this is the time to step up.

http://www.embankment.org

[MCA]

Owner refuses to sell Sixth Street Embankment
Monday, July 26, 2010
By MELISSA HAYES
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

The owner of the Sixth Street Embankment has told Jersey City officials she will not sell the land, despite the City Council voting last week to bond $7.7 million to buy the coveted elevated land.

Supporters hoped the bond would bring an end to a years-long dispute over the parcel on Sixth Street between Marin Boulevard and Newark Avenue.

But Victoria Hyman, wife of developer Steve Hyman, who purchased the property from Conrail for $3 million in 2003, sent a letter Monday to various city officials saying she doesn't want to sell and hopes to develop the site.

"This (proposed development) would make the city money rather than drain the (city's) resources any further while cleaning and gentrifying the area and potentially creating many millions of dollars in new taxes and many full-time jobs," she wrote.

The city filed a lawsuit in 2006 arguing that under federal law, Conrail should have offered the site to the city before selling it to Hyman. That lawsuit is still pending.

Steve Hyman said the city refused to sign an agreement that would have settled the litigation and resulted in the Hymans' sale of the property to the city. He also said he and the city never agreed on a price.

Administration officials declined to comment.

"I used to think we needed Dr. Henry Kissinger to get involved as negotiation was complex, but now I think we need Dr. Phil instead," observed Ward E Councilman Steven Fulop, whose district includes the embankment.

Hyman presented a plan to the city in 2007 that called for 75 percent of the walls to remain and 1,000 to 1,500 residential units, in addition to a light rail link and public park. His wife said they're still committed to providing a park alongside the development.

Victoria Hyman said she hopes to develop the land into something like the High Line, a New York City park on a former elevated freight line.  (Ed.: )

The Embankment Preservation Coalition and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy have been fighting to turn the parcel into a park with trails. Jersey City officials have said they want it to connect NJ Transit Light Rail on the waterfront with Journal Square.

[DarkMoment]

It seems Hyman ain't gonna sell

who says?

[Soshin]

It seems Hyman ain't gonna sell

[PuddinPop]

[MCA]

Jersey City Council approves $7.7 million bond to buy Sixth Street Embankment
Published: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 12:38 PM
Updated: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 3:50 PM
Melissa Hayes/The Jersey Journal

The Jersey City Council narrowly passed a bond ordinance that would provide up to $7.7 million to purchase the Sixth Street Embankment. The ordinance passed in a 6-1-2 vote. Bond measures need six votes to pass.

Twenty-six speakers from an array of community groups packed the City Council chambers despite the meeting being held at 10 a.m. "We're just very thankful to the City Council for seeing that our vision is viable and an asset to everyone in the city," said Stephen Gucciardo, president of the Sixth Street Embankment Coalition, which has fought for the project for the last decade.

Councilman Bill Gaughan voted against the measure saying he couldn't support spending money when the city is facing a $56 million deficit and looking to institute 12 more furlough days and further layoff staff. Gaughan said he was also concerned that Developer Steve Hyman, whose wife purchased the site from Conrail in 2005, hasn't given the city an asking price in writing. He also questioned the city's ability to transform the city into a future park and NJ Transit Light Rail line.

Councilwomen Willie Flood and Viola Richardson abstained. But the other six council members supported the measure, saying grant funds will help pay for the project.

Several of those supporters told the community that approving the bond is just one step in a long-fought battle that still must be resolved. "It's another step in the process, but we are definitely getting closer," Downtown Councilman Steven Fulop said.

Council President Peter Brennan cast the sixth vote to adopt the bond ordinance. "It's a tough decision we have to make today, bonding for $7.7 million at a time when the city is facing tax increases, a lot of tough issues here. But the Healy Administration is committed to open space," he said. Brennan added, "We're doing our share putting the $7.7 million aside, now maybe Mr. Hyman will come to the plate."

[DarkMoment]

TODAY!
 July 14th 10 AM Wednesday
City Hall, 280 Grove Street

   

The City Council will vote to finance the purchase of the Historic Harsimus Stem Railroad Embankment

Greetings! 

If you love trees, green space, and want more parks in Jersey City, please come to City Hall, 280 Grove Street (corner Montgomery Street, near "Grove" PATH map: click  ) at
   10 AM Wednesday July 14, 2010, (tomorrow! today!) to show your support. 

The City Council will vote to finance the purchase of the Historic Harsimus Stem Railroad Embankment which runs along Sixth Street in Historic Downtown Jersey City.  (please refer to the Embankment Preservation Coalition at Embankment.org for maps & more details )

The Embankment Preservation Coalition  has already raised $5 Million to purchase this land (funds committed from Federal, State, and County green space funds).  Open to the Public, among other features, the 3,000 mile Florida-Maine East Coast Greenway will pass through this Embankment Park as it follows the Atlantic coast.

YOUR PRESENCE will show the City Council that Jersey City wants more Green Space, more Parks ... the City Council will vote to finance the purchase of this park ...


                       If you cannot attend, please send your friends & family !!

10 AM Wed. July 14, 2010 Vote CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS City Hall 280 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302 (corner Montgomery Street, near "Grove" PATH   )

Make Our Parks!  With your help, Now!
Please bring your friends & family !!

Thanks,

Jim

[DarkMoment]

Someone help me out here.
Why, when the original sale of the property to Hyman for $3M was probably illegal are we ready to buy it back from him at over double the price?
Why not just keep fighting the sale in court, and make sure he's never able to build anything there or tear it down?
Sell bonds to finance the legal fees.

The Embankment Preservation Coalition continues to fight this in court as several of us have filed as litigants in standing in this suit. The net cost to the City for the purchase, if we lose the court case against Hyman, would only be about $1million as we have grants in place to replace the bonding for most of the $7 million purchase price;  despite what Councilman Gaughan says. these grants have been in place ready for our use for years and were all recently confirmed as still available to us and the city.

We all agree with you that Hyman made an illegal sale in conspiring with his "development partner", Conrail and is why we continue to pursue the case against him in District Court in DC. That is our whip and the city purchase is the carrot.

[MCA]

In advance of the City Council meeting this Wednesday morning, please call your city council member and voice your support for financing the purchase of the Embankment.


Last Chance to Build a Great Park

This week, Jersey City has one last chance to create a truly unique public park—an elevated sanctuary—in the heart of its thriving downtown.

On Wednesday at 10 a.m., the City Council will hold a public hearing and a final vote on a bill that would finance the purchase of the Harsimus Stem Embankment, the abandoned elevated railroad line that runs along Sixth Street from Marin Boulevard to Newark Avenue.

The citizens' group Embankment Preservation Coalition supports a plan to turn the embankment into a public park and urban nature sanctuary.

The park would be the first stage of an ambitious project to connect the embankment to the East Coast Greenway via the Erie Cut, another piece of abandoned railroad infrastructure that is essentially an open tunnel through Bergen Hill near Journal Square that was constructed in the 1900s.

[...]

The council bill authorizes the city to sell $7.65 million in bonds to fund the purchase of the embankment; the bill lists grants worth about $6.5 million for which the project would be eligible, including $3.5 million from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and $1.6 million from New Jersey's Green Acres program.

With those grants, the project would likely cost the city only a little over $1 million. (more)

[MCA]

Jersey City council backs purchasing Sixth Street Embankment for up to $7.7 million for use as park and Light Rail link
Friday, June 25, 2010
By MELISSA HAYES
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Jersey City community activists and elected officials hope the long-fought battle over the Sixth Street Embankment, an elevated tract of land Downtown, will soon come to an end.

The City Council voted 6-1-2 Wednesday night to introduce an ordinance that would allow the city to bond $7.65 million and spend up to $7.7 million to acquire the Embankment for use as a park and future Light Rail link.

The ordinance will be up for a second reading and public hearing at the 10 a.m. July 14 meeting.

Ward D Councilman Bill Gaughan voted against the introduction. After the meeting, he said many of the grants listed in the ordinance that would supposedly assist the city in purchasing the property have not yet been awarded. The grants total roughly $6.6 million.

Councilwoman at large Willie Flood and Ward F Councilwoman Viola Richardson abstained.

Ward E Councilman Steven Fulop, whose ward includes the Embankment, said the funding could pave the way for acquiring the land from developer Steve Hyman, whose wife Victoria purchased it from Conrail in 2005.

The city has been in court with Conrail over the land sale since 2006.

"This has become a chess match, unfortunately, and I am hopeful we can finally end the constant litigation, but I am also realistic that there is a tremendous amount of distrust between the city and the developer, which has been a challenge," Fulop said.

Hyman declined to comment.

Members of the Embankment Preservation Coalition, the group that has pushed the city to preserve the land as open space, applauded the council's vote.

"We appreciate your support, we appreciate Mayor Healy's support and all the work the administration has done, and I really believe in the end the Embankment will be a great asset for Jersey City," coalition member Stephen Gucciardo said.

The city filed a lawsuit in 2006 arguing that under federal law, Conrail should have offered the site to the city before selling it to Hyman's wife, Victoria, for $3 million in 2005.

This potential sale would end the court procedures pending in that case.

[Binky]

Someone help me out here.
Why, when the original sale of the property to Hyman for $3M was probably illegal are we ready to buy it back from him at over double the price?
Why not just keep fighting the sale in court, and make sure he's never able to build anything there or tear it down?
Sell bonds to finance the legal fees.

[jehu]

The Sixth Street Embankment in Jersey City.

The Jersey City Council will vote tomorrow on $7.65 million bond ordinance that could bring to an end a law suit over a piece of property in downtown Jersey City.

The council met last night to discuss the 6th Street Embankment, which is up for development but the city wants to keep it as a park. The city also looks to develop a light rail link in the park, as reported by The Jersey Journal's Melissa Hayes in today's editions.

[url]http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2010/06/jersey_city_council_member_to.html[/url]


These bonds are usually tax free... Might be a good way to off-set your property tax increase to pay for this....

[MCA]

Jersey City seeks $1M from fund to buy Sixth Street Embankment
By Melissa Hayes/The Jersey Journal
March 29, 2010, 11:15AM

Jersey City is seeking $1 million from the Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund to acquire the Sixth Street Embankment. While the application could mean the end is near for a seven-year land dispute between developer Steve Hyman and city officials, the issue isn't resolved yet.

"Should the negotiations be successful, there is a prospect that the city would purchase the Embankment which is the optimistic rationale behind this application," said city spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill. Hyman declined to comment saying the matter is still in mediation. The City Council hired former Chief Justice James Zazzali in November to mediate the dispute.

At issue is a 6.5-acre elevated parcel of land on Sixth Street between Marin Boulevard and Brunswick Street. Hyman - whose wife, Victoria, purchased the land from Conrail in 2005 for $3 million - wants to build housing on the site. The city wants to preserve it as open space and wants a future light rail stop at the site.

The city filed a lawsuit in 2006 arguing that under federal law Conrail should have offered the site to the city before selling it to Hyman. In 2007, a federal board, which has jurisdiction over rail sites, sided with the city. But Hyman went to the U.S. Court of Appeals, which threw out the board's decision last year, saying it didn't have jurisdiction.

The city and the Embankment Preservation Coalition, a volunteer group that wants the land preserved, have asked the appellate court to reconsider. In the meantime both sides agreed to meet with Zazzali.

In 2007, the property was appraised at $10 million, but Hyman estimated its value at $20 million.

[GreeneGuvnor]

Greatly appreciate the welcome, Ambushbug!

BD: Grove Street certainly feels more lively and lived-in than the Exchange Place at all hours, which is what makes me curious. The number of new residential buildings on that end of town seems like there would be enough population density and disposable wealth to support more Grove-style businesses: bakeries like Made With Love, interior stores like Kanibal Home and Smith & Chang etc. Yet there's nothing. Is the Trump/77 Hudson/70 Greene etc. crowd just not interested in buying locally? Do my neighbors shuttle straight from Wall Street into their cozy condos, barely touching down in the neighborhood? Or do they all shop incognito around Grove? It all seems a bit curious. Thank you for the recommendations though! Sorry for the brief diversion of the thread.

[bdlaw]

Yeah, welcome aboard!

Couple of random reactions/comments-

1.  Exchange Place is basically like Wall Street West with, fortunately, fewer Armani suits.  Unfortunately, that means the place closes down at 5:00 PM. 

2.  "The city can't pull $170 million to develop a park in the sky out of thin air, but I'm genuinely curious to understand the logic of supporting/subsidizing more development in this economy."  The city can't pull $170mm to do anything, we (along with the rest of the state) are BROKE.  But I agree with and share your sentiment.  One thing you'll find out about here is that, those "tax abated" properties do make payments- it's complicated- and no good for anyone but developers and the small crowd of people who hand out permits and abatements.

3.  I live in the Powerhouse Arts District- between Exchange Place, Harsimus Cove, and Van Vorst Park.  It's a nice quiet place to live but there ain't nothing to do.  Fortunately...

4.  It is within walking distance of all kinds of stuff (to eat and drink, at least) in the area of Newark and Grove Street (that'd be the western Grove Street PATH entrance for you newbies).

Cheers,

BD

[AmbushBug]

I think you make some good points, here GG. With tower complexes like 70 Greene only half full, at this point I just don't see the market for another development in downtown.

And let me be the first to welcome to JC and the board.

[GreeneGuvnor]

I'm a fresh-off-the-PATH Brooklyn transplant (by way of many other routes) who's slowly falling for Jersey City as I learn more about its history, culture and characteristics. I'm moving across the Hudson for love, the waterfront view, and for better value-for-square footage than I can hope to get in NYC, but the Embankment is one of those municipal jewels that make me feel like I struck gold by choosing to live here.

To my naive newcomer eyes, a JC version of the High Line park would be an undeniable draw for both temporary visitors and permanent transplants, much more beneficial to the city than tax-abatement-subsidized real estate development during what is likely to be a long-term depreciation in housing prices. Swathes of the downtown area will be begging for tenants and buyers for several years to come as more properties are completed. How will the proposed-$5-million-a-pop-McMansions do any better than those struggling projects? If he's not catering to the NYC-facing waterfront crowd, why would indigenous JCites pick his development above the other half-inhabited new projects like Liberty Harbor, The Beacon, Canco Lofts etc? The city can't pull $170 million to develop a park in the sky out of thin air, but I'm genuinely curious to understand the logic of supporting/subsidizing more development in this economy.

Another small, related quibble and question--the greatest complaint I have so far about JC (and it's echoed across these boards) is the lack of vibrant cultural outlets and a thriving artisanal retail presence I'd associate with a growing neighborhood attracting young singles and families. Perhaps the people in these glass towers have no desire for more clothing boutiques or restaurants open after 7 pm, but that seems difficult to believe. Exchange Place seems to be a cultural (and culinary) graveyard so far, so any recommendations about other historical sites I can read about--eg the Powerhouse--are highly welcome.  

[MCA]

N.J. law could help settle Jersey City embankment lawsuit
By Melissa Hayes/The Jersey Journal
January 19, 2010, 5:37PM

A law signed in Gov. Jon S. Corzine’s final hours in office could be the push Jersey City needs to settle a seven-year land dispute. The law, signed Monday, could potentially impact the city’s negotiations with developer Steve Hyman, whose wife purchased a parcel of land called the Sixth Street Embankment from Conrail in 2005 for $3 million.

The law, sponsored by former Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith, D-Jersey City, Assemblywoman Joan Quigley, D-Jersey City, Sen. Nicholas Sacco, D-North Bergen, and Sen. Brian Stack, D-Union City, requires railroad companies to negotiate in good faith with municipalities before abandoning a property. Jersey City has argued that Conrail did not do that when it sold the land to Hyman.

“We think this is good legislation,” Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy said in a statement. “The railroads obtained these right of ways and these properties a long time ago for nothing or next to nothing and we think it is apropos that the various governing bodies have the first crack at obtaining these right of ways with an eye toward enhancing mass transportation whether it be by light rail or some other mode.”

At issue is a 6.5-acre elevated parcel of land on Sixth Street between Marin Boulevard and Brunswick Street. Hyman wants to build housing on the site, but the city wants to see a portion preserved as open space and the rest become part of the Light Rail corridor.

Healy said as the site could serve as a conduit for the Light Rail, with passengers coming in from the Frank R. Lautenberg Rail Station at Secaucus Junction, through a four-mile stretch of rail track in the Palisades called Bergen Arches. He said riders could get off in Journal Square or continue to the Pavonia PATH station and downtown. "This has the potential to keep thousands of cars off our roads in the morning and afternoon rush hours,” Healy said.

The city filed a lawsuit in 2006 arguing that under federal law Conrail should have offered the site to the city before selling it to Hyman. In 2007, the federal Surface Transportation Board, which has jurisdiction over rail sites, agreed with the city. But Hyman took the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals, which threw out the board's decision in June, saying it didn't have jurisdiction to hear the case. The city and Embankment Preservation Coalition have asked the appellate court to reconsider its decision.

In the meantime, Jersey City Council moved in November to hire former Supreme Court Chief Justice James Zazzali to mediate the disagreement and both sides are working to reach a settlement.

[MCA]

Mediator to tackle Jersey City's Sixth Street Embankment issue
By Melissa Hayes/The Jersey Journal
November 30, 2009, 4:49PM

Jersey City has hired a former Supreme Court chief justice to mediate a disagreement over the Sixth Street Embankment. The city and community members are at odds with a developer over the fate of a 6.5-acre elevated parcel of land on Sixth Street between Marin Boulevard and Brunswick Street.

Developer Steve Hyman, whose wife purchased the land from Conrail in 2005 for $3 million, wants to build housing on the site. The city wants to see it preserved as open space and wants a Light Rail stop there. The city filed a lawsuit in 2006 arguing that under federal law Conrail should have offered the site to the city before selling it to Hyman.

In 2007, the federal Surface Transportation Board, which has jurisdiction over rail sites, agreed with the city. But Hyman took the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals, which threw out the board’s decision in June, saying it didn’t have jurisdiction to hear the case. The city and Embankment Preservation Coalition have asked the appellate court to reconsider its decision.

In the meantime, both sides have agreed to sit down with a mediator and try to reach a compromise out of court.
The City Council voted Nov. 24 to hire former Chief Justice James Zazzali to mediate. Zazzali will be paid $580 an hour, a "reduced public service rate," for about 40 hours or a total of $25,000. The city will split the cost with Hyman and Conrail.

Ward F Councilman Steve Fulop congratulated City Corporation Counsel William Matsikoudis and called the mediation "a good step." "I didn’t think mediation was possible," he said.

Matsikoudis said Zazzali is highly respected. "Hopefully in 40 hours time, if anybody can do it, I think he can," he said. "I think it’s a worthwhile expenditure."

[MCA]

We stopped by the event on Sunday. The guy from the Liberty Water Gap Trail gave a great talk about their progress in hopefully making the Embankment part of the trail leading from Liberty State Park across NJ all the way to the Delaware Water Gap and becoming part of the family of trails in the area. What they need right now is community support and he encouraged everyone to call, write or email the mayor and city council something like:

“I support the plan that is being developed by the Liberty Water Gap Trail Commission in conjunction with the Jersey City Division of City Planning, the East Coast Greenway and the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway.”

Needless to say, making the Embankment part of a network of statewide and interstate hiking and biking trails increases the odds of saving it from greedy, increasingly desperate developers bent on tearing it down for 30-story towers  2-family townhomes  multimillion-dollar mansions.

The other speaker on Sunday was Robert Hammond, co-founder of Friends of the High Line. He has some nice things to say about the Embankment on the High Line blog:

"I was blown away immediately upon spotting the half-mile structure that once carried freight for the Pennsylvania Railroad.  The Embankment holds an untouched beauty, and really reminded me of the feelings I had years ago in the early days of the High Line. It’s a quick PATH ride from the High Line to Jersey City, and it’s another amazing opportunity for a great linear public space.  The Coalition project really needs support right now, so I urge you to check out their Web site to find out more and see what you can do." (more)

[MCA]

The Embankment Preservation Coalition's
2009 Members and Supporters Annual Meeting

Sunday, October 25th, 2 to 4 PM
Grace Church, 39 Erie Street, Jersey City

Featuring:

Robert Hammond,
Co-Founder of NYC's Friends of the High Line
on Building the High Line

A Walk Across New Jersey
An introduction to the Liberty-Water Gap Trail
with Steve Marano

Web: http://www.embankment.org •  Email: info@embankment.org

[MCA]

ACTION ALERT:
      
Embankment Demolition Decisions Appealed to Zoning Board      
Hearing August 18th, 6 p.m.   
Council Chambers, City Hall, 280 Grove Street

Conrail and its developer partner are appealing Historic Preservation Commission decisions denying them permits to demolish the Harsimus Branch Embankment.  The appeals are being made to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Appellants have supplied to Planning staff nineteen Principal Points on Appeal upon which they are expected to elaborate at the hearing. These points appear here.

The Historic Preservation Commission listened to 25 hours of testimony before reaching their conclusions and denying the permits.  The resolutions adopted by the Commission memorializing their decisions are also available here.

Additional documents related to the appeal may be inspected on work days between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the City Planning Division, 14th Floor, 30 Montgomery Street, Jersey City.

[Pinky]

Embankment Preservation Coalition
Action Alert!

  Zoning Board  Hearing Tonight To Be Carried to New Date

Monday, July 13th,Hearing To Be Rescheduled; Stay Tuned
At 5:15 today we received word from the Planning Division that the hearing tonight will be carried to a new date.  There will be a meeting, but only to try to set a new date.  All business will be carried.
 
We are rushing this out in the hopes that it will reach you before you start out for the meeting.  We will send information about the new date as soon as we know more.

[MCA]

From the Embankment Preservation Coalition:


Action Alert!
Embankment Demolition Decisions Appealed to Zoning Board    
Hearing on Monday, July 13th, 6 p.m., Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 280 Grove Street 

Conrail and its developer partner are appealing Historic Preservation Commission decisions that denied them permits to demolish the Harsimus Branch Embankment. The appeals are being made to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
 
The developer's lawyers are expected to present eighteen Principal Points on Appeal at the hearing. These points may be viewed on the Coalition web site. 
 
The Historic Preservation Commission listened to 25 hours of testimony before reaching their conclusions and denying the permits. The resolutions memorializing their certificate of appropriateness decision and the economic hardship decision are also available on our web site.
 
Additional documents related to the appeal may be inspected on work days between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the City Planning Division, 14th Floor, 30 Montgomery Street, Jersey City.
 
The Coalition encourages our members and supporters to appear in person at the Zoning Board hearing, or be represented by attorney, to argue for denials of the appeals.
 
NOTE:  Please check your email before the meeting for updates.  The Coalition will try to inform you of any late-breaking change.