Powerhouse renovation

[Bobblehead]

Healy likened the structure to Baltimore’s Pratt Street Power Plant, a former factory in the city’s bustling Inner Harbor that was transformed into a home for businesses such as Barnes & Noble and Hard Rock Cafe.

. . . and which still has its smokestacks. 

[MCA™]

Here's a little hope from the JCI story:

John Gomez of the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy said the moment is bittersweet for the JCLC, especially since they were founded in 1999 in a fight to save the building. In fact, their logo features the Powerhouse and its smokestacks.

“They’re a major part of the visual impact of the building. It’s like the Statue of Liberty losing her torch,” says Gomez. “We knew back in ’99 that the smokestacks were in trouble and knew this day was coming. Port Authority should’ve covered those smokestacks years ago so they wouldn’t be so weathered and deteriorated…this is a great case study. If you don’t take care of your monuments, look what happens eventually.

“But we’re looking at this as a positive because the building can be restored. Also, the smokestacks were measured and photographed before demolition started, so they can be rebuilt,” he says.

[Soshin]

Without the smokestacks it's just another uninteresting brick building.  Knock it down, build some cheap shitty high rise and then blow the whole neighborhood up I say.

Either that or REPLACE the stacks with something that looks like them using modern materials.  No that would just be stupid!

Doh!

[MCA™]

“Unfortunately, the removal of the smokestacks is something that is unavoidable at this time,” said JCRA Executive Director Bob Antonicello. “The years of deterioration have undermined the stability of the stacks.”

Hmm, sounds familiar.

Also, without those pesky smokestacks it'll be much easier to build a 50-story tower on top.

[MCA™]

Ah, this blows.


Powerhouse being redeveloped in Downtown Jersey City must lose its old smokestacks
By Terrence T. McDonald/The Jersey Journal
on March 27, 2013 at 10:08 AM

Gallery: Smokestacks on historic Powerhouse to be removed (19 photos)

The iconic smokestacks on an historic warehouse in Downtown Jersey City are being removed, a development that city officials say leaves them saddened but hopeful about plans for the warehouse’s future.

The Jersey City Redevelopment Agency is hoping to transform the H&M Powerhouse, on Washington Boulevard between First and Bay streets, into a $100 million arts mecca. But the smokestacks on the 100-year-old building could not be saved, officials said.

“Unfortunately, the removal of the smokestacks is something that is unavoidable at this time,” said JCRA Executive Director Bob Antonicello. “The years of deterioration have undermined the stability of the stacks.”

This week, workers began erecting scaffolding on a side of the historic warehouse in anticipation of the removal of the smokestacks, which should be complete in about six weeks, officials said. Mayor Jerramiah Healy said in a statement he’s confident the renovation of the warehouse will be a “linchpin” for the city’s Powerhouse Arts District.

Healy likened the structure to Baltimore’s Pratt Street Power Plant, a former factory in the city’s bustling Inner Harbor that was transformed into a home for businesses such as Barnes & Noble and Hard Rock CafÂŽ.

“I was disappointed when advised that the smokestacks would have to come down, but encouraged by the hard work the agency has done in preserving this historic treasure of our city’s industrial past,” Healy said.

The Cordish Companies, which developed the Pratt Street Power Plant, is the designated developer of the Powerhouse.

[MCA™]

Jersey City Takes A Flying Leap Toward Powerhouse Renovation
By Antoinette Martin
Last Updated: March 9, 2012 01:35pm ET



JERSEY CITY-A crucial step toward stabilization and redevelopment of the downtown Powerhouse structure was achieved as a specialized engineering firm using the tallest available crane accomplished inspection of 200-foot tall smokestacks in anticipation of installing a new roof below them.

“Today was a milestone for both the Powerhouse and all those concerned about this magnificent structure,” says Bob Antonicello, the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency’s executive director, when the specialized crane arrived two weeks ago. 

The 1908 Powerhouse, which houses a PATH substation, is envisioned as iconic centerpiece for a $100 million redevelopment project creating an arts and entertainment district in and around the building. The area is to have shops, markets, galleries, performance space and “alternative” office space in a pedestrian-friendly environment, according to the plans.

The first step, though was JCRA launching a multi-year program to stop further deterioration of the long-abandoned structure, which despite its inherent Romanesque Revival-style glory had become an eyesore with large trees growing out the windows and a crumbling roof. Over two years, all of the building’s monumental windows were boarded and sealed.

The issue then became, according to agency project manager Mary Noonan: “How could we find out if the smokestacks were in good enough shape to proceed with replacing the roof?”  Beyer, Blinder, Belle, the New York-based architect for the project, brought in an engineering group called Vertical Access, which used a crane that is one of three in the world, and the only one of its size in the United States. Engineers aboard the crane conducted visual and camera inspections of both the exterior and interior of the towering stacks, Noon said. They are expected to report the results to the agency next month.

The enormous brick structure, situated near the 55-story Trump Plaza Residences tower built in 2008, was originally the powerhouse for the Hudson & Manhattan.

The JRCA and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey are working on an agreement that would transfer full ownership of the building to the agency in return for a replacement site for the PATH substation.

[devb]

I'm not a fan of the ridiculous color scheme, and I'm not looking forward to the powerhouse becoming an advertising-plastered monument to conspicuous consumption and pseudo-public totalitarian rights restrictions:



The city has hired the firm that came up with that masterpiece.

I found the pictures in JC Magazine a little difficult to figure out with the lack of context... seems like the photographer mostly focuses on shooting people. Those shots were mostly taken in the southern half of the building (the part with the smokestacks), which is owned by the city. The northern half, with the large bay windows, is/was owned by the Port Authority.

Side room. I have no idea what this was used for:



Former boiler / control chamber:



From the same spot as above, two floors down. The wall separating the two halves is on the left:



Looking towards the roll down bay door on the northeast corner of the building, by the light rail tracks. There's a tunnel that goes to the Hudson River somewhere under where the camera was positioned:



Second floor view, looking west:

[PuddinPop]

My favorite building in Jersey City! I smile everyday as I walk by on my daily commute. Brings a pop of color and a sense of what Jersey City used to be...as opposed to the humdrum buildings that line the Hudson.

[ericmargel]

There were some good photos of the interior work in the most recent JC Magazine.  Shows just how daunting the task of renovating the interior is. 

http://issuu.com/hudsonreporter/docs/v8n1_jcm_web

[Bobblehead]

A step closer? Gotta love how this journalist refers to the Powerhouse as "a colossal eyesore" in the context of all those bright, shiny, tall buildings.   I mean, what's uglier--the Powerhouse, or that piece of crap behind it?



Jersey City's Washington Street Powerhouse may become new retail, entertainment space

JERSEY CITY — From 1908 to 1929, rail cars would roll through towering iron doors into the huge brick building near the Jersey City waterfront and unload coal to generate electricity for the Hudson & Manhattan Railroad linking New York and New Jersey, now known as the PATH.

Since then, however, the Romanesque Revival structure has been largely abandoned, a colossal eyesore amid luxury skyscrapers built more recently by Donald Trump and others on one of the richest stretches of New Jersey’s Hudson River Gold Coast.

But the Washington Street Powerhouse may finally be re-energized. Under a plan recently authorized by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the bi-state agency will deed its 55-percent stake in the Powerhouse to Jersey City, the building’s co-owner. Along with a private partner, the Cordish Company of Baltimore, the city plans to redevelop the building into a retail, entertainment and gallery space anchoring the city’s Powerhouse Arts District, an area of warehouses and cobblestone streets where zoning encourages artists to live and work. . . .

The rest of the article talks about the building's iconic presence, representing the city's past identity. So, I guess the iconic is a colossal eyesore to some people. . . .

[MCA™]

Powerhouse Phase One done
First phase of historic building’s stabilization complete
by Ricardo Kaulessar
Reporter Staff Writer
Sep 19, 2010

The Jersey City Redevelopment Agency announced earlier this month that the first phase of the stabilization of the 102-year-old Hudson and Manhattan Powerhouse, located on Washington Street in downtown Jersey City, is complete.

The historic three-story brick structure is considered the centerpiece for the long-discussed Powerhouse Arts District. The stabilization is a multi-year project designed to deal with years of neglect and deterioration.

Included in the Phase I work is the enclosure of the monumental window openings that have been sealed with brightly colored boards using colors from the Redevelopment Agency’s logo. The next phase of the stabilization will be a new roof and drainage system, with work bid out this fall to start by early next year.

Robert Antonicello, Executive Director of the Redevelopment Agency, which is leading the stabilization effort, says he’s impressed with the completion of the first phase of the project. The city of Jersey City and the Redevelopment Agency, with a contribution from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will cover the cost of the $3.4 million project. The Powerhouse building and land is jointly owned by the Port Authority the city.

“After 50 years of neglect, it’s unrealistic that you can turn a building of this size around inexpensively or quickly,” Antonicello said. “That being said, I’m thrilled people are taking notice of the efforts made to restore this magnificent structure.”

The stabilization started in earnest in June of last year when Mayor Jerramiah Healy, Antonicello, officials from the Port Authority, and other city officials were on hand for the kick-off of the stabilization of the historic Hudson and Manhattan Powerhouse, the first step towards reinventing the building as a commercial and entertainment complex. The actual work started in December.

When stabilization is complete, the Powerhouse will become an 180,000 square-foot space across five floors, filled with galleries, restaurants, and offices. The Cordish Companies, a Baltimore-based retail and entertainment developer, is the designated developer for renovating the site.

The work undertaken
In December, the windows on the ground floor were boarded up to prevent further deterioration of the building’s interior. Later, the remaining windows were enclosed.

The stabilization plans call for relocating the electrical transformers located in the Powerhouse that power the PATH subway system.

Phase II and Phase III of the stabilization project, already bid out to the New York City-based architectural firm Beyer Blinder Belle, calls for the installation of a temporary roof, structural work, and masonry repairs. Also, the Jersey City-based engineering firm Dresdner Robin has been contracted to remove 340 tons of polluted soil and 50 tons of non-toxic soil.

Not so powerful district
The Powerhouse was once the power station for the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad, which opened for business in 1908 and closed in 1929.

The Powerhouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001, the result of Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy, after a two year effort to save the Powerhouse from being demolished by the city during former Mayor Bret Schundler’s term.

In November 2004, the City Council voted to designate the Powerhouse Arts District, an 11-block area named after the power station that stretches east to west from Marin Boulevard to Washington Boulevard, and north to south from Second Street to Bay Street, for redevelopment by the city, and slated to include 10 percent affordable housing, particularly for artists.

But the district exists only on paper. Developers have sued to compel Jersey City to place their projects in special sub-districts to protect them from the Powerhouse Arts District’s stipulations.

Those developers include Lloyd Goldman, owner of the 110 and 111 First Street properties , with plans for residential towers on both, and Toll Brothers who wants to build the three-tower (30, 35, and 40-story), 925-unit Provost Square project a few blocks away from the First Street projects.

The Powerhouse when completely restored is expected to restore some of the luster lost to the area by these zoning compromises with the original plan.

[SamS]

Would it be at all possible to fold this thread into another thread?   

[MCA™]

Today's JJ story adds nothing new to the previous post, so I'll just quote the guy who's been in office for 5 years:

Referring to the structure as an "architectural jewel" and "Jersey City's Grand Central Station," Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy said it is slated to become an entertainment and retail center with cafes, restaurants, galleries and perhaps a movie theater that will be the cornerstone of a new artists district.

[MCA™]

From the JC Independent:


Powerhouse Stabilization Gets Underway
By Jon Whiten • Jun 11th, 2009 • Category: Arts, Blog, News

As various factions have battled over who should pay to relocate the electrical transformers inside Jersey City’s Powerhouse, the health of the historic structure has become ever more precarious. With this in mind, the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency (JCRA) and the Port Authority today are kicking off a stabilization project for the 100-plus-year-old structure. This JCRA says the project is designed to halt further decline of the building while the Port Authority relocates the transformers. (more)

[MCA™]

JJ:

City in talks with P.A. to acquire Powerhouse
Monday, June 09, 2008
By NEWHOUSE NEWS SERVICE

The Jersey City City Council is scheduled to hear details tonight about a land swap deal with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey that would give the city ownership of the Downtown Powerhouse building.

The 100-year-old Hudson & Manhattan Railroad Powerhouse would then be transformed into a retail and entertainment centerpiece for the city's nascent Powerhouse Arts District.

The city will take ownership of the building, in exchange offering the Port Authority a nearby plot of land suitable to move its PATH train substation and transformers, said William Matsikoudis, corporation counsel for Jersey City.

The power supply for the PATH train now sits directly in front of the Powerhouse on Washington Boulevard and next to the new Trump Plaza residential tower.

It is across the street from a planned 52-story "vertical city" of condos and art studios being designed by renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.

The agreement hammered out by the city and Port Authority over 16 months lays out a step-by-step transition for moving the electrical system, testing the polluted soil beneath the Powerhouse, stabilizing the building and restoring it.

Stabilization alone is expected to cost $3 million. Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners will conduct a $250,000 survey of the structure in advance of the work.

Perhaps more pressing, the city must raise between $40 million and $50 million to finance its share to clean up, shore up and rehabilitate the Powerhouse.

The actual renovation will be done with developer David Cordish, head of the Baltimore-based Cordish Co., known in part for its renovation of a Baltimore powerhouse that helps anchor the city's popular Inner Harbor.

The city wants to move the PATH power station to 350 Warren Street, site of the 1905 Butler Brothers warehouse. But property owner and developer Bob Lehrer has so far rejected the city's offers for part of the warehouse space.

An alternative site - a triangle of land just across the Bergen-Hudson Light Rail tracks from the Powerhouse - has drawn criticism from neighbors, including ones in a luxury high-rise called Marbella.

Tonight's council caucus meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., City Hall, 280 Grove St.

[bdlaw]

So basically:

You have no power/wealth = emminant domain screws you
You have power/wealth = emminant domain benefits you

LOVE this town.

[MCA™]

A snippet from Jarrett Renshaw's "Location" column in today's JJ:


... Jersey City is close to inking a deal with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey over the relocation of the Powerhouse substation that will help pave the way for highly-anticipated renovation of the historic Powerhouse building itself.

Port Authority officials have already agreed that the substation needs to be removed and replaced, but exactly where the new station will be built still needs to be resolved.

The two targeted locations are a triangle-shaped piece of city-owned land just north of the Powerhouse, on Washington Boulevard, and a 10,000-square-foot piece of property adjacent to the Butler building, owned by developer Bob Lier.

Sources tell me that the city prefers the Butler building property, but such a move presents a host of problems.

Lier had made it no secret that he wants to erect a high-rise residential tower through the heart of the historic Butler building, a proposal that city officials - who label the building iconic -are dead set against.

City officials are willing to allow Lier to add 100 feet to a proposed 250-foot building slated for parking lot to the south of the Butler building in exchange for placing the substation on his property.

That does not appear to be enough of a carrot for Lier, and city officials appear reluctant to force the substation on the property through eminent domain - out of fear of lengthy and costly litigation.

That being said, residents can expect the substation to land at the triangle park. At this pace, city officials said the Powerhouse building, scheduled to become a world-class arts and entertainment center, will be at least partially operational within five years. ...

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