A detailed plan to revamp the area around Newark Avenue is up for a final vote before the City Council on Sept. 10.
The Newark Avenue Redevelopment Plan promotes an outdoor “paseo” (or passageway) connecting Newark Avenue to Christopher Columbus Drive, and storefronts looking out on Christopher Columbus Drive.
The plan was presented by city planners in the City Council caucus meeting on Monday, Aug. 18. Two days later, at their regular Wednesday meeting, the council voted to introduce the ordinance.
The redevelopment plan covers an area bounded by Grove Street to the east, Christopher Columbus Drive to the south, Newark Avenue to the north, and Jersey Avenue to the west.
The plan is coming to fruition in part because of Councilman Steven Fulop, who represents the affected area as well as its business owners and residents. Fulop has discussed upgrading the streetscape on Newark Avenue for about two years, aiming to bring in new businesses and make the area more pedestrian friendly.Presenting a new avenue
The head of the city’s Planning Division, Robert Cotter, spoke of how the plan takes into consideration that the area has become “the gateway to the city” since Christopher Columbus Drive sees traffic from the 14C Exit of the New Jersey Turnpike into downtown Jersey City.
He also cited the new Grove Pointe building at 100-102 Columbus Drive and the increased usage of the Grove Street PATH Station.
City planner Maryanne Bucci-Carter spoke about the paseo as part of a “smart growth” initiative. The paseo would be built on an empty lot at 141 Newark Ave. that was once occupied by a building that was destroyed by a fire in November.
Carter said the paseo would not just simply be a walkway for the public from Newark Avenue to Columbus Drive, but also a public plaza with an outdoor dining and seating area and greenery.
The property is currently owned by Five Star Investment Group, a subsidiary of the Joseph A. Del Forno Inc. real estate firm on Jersey Avenue in downtown Jersey City. The city would have to acquire the property from Five Star. The funds for acquisition would come from developers, who in turn would be permitted to build structures higher than the presently-allowed four floors in the area.
Paul Del Forno, broker of record at Del Forno, said it is “very much against” the paseo, since the firm already plans to build a mixed-use building there. He said he already expressed opposition to the Planning Division. Other elements of the plan
The plan also calls for a setback of 8 feet from the street for storefronts on Columbus Drive, to allow for the creation of pedestrian-friendly sidewalks.
Also, parking would continue to be prohibited on Newark Avenue, and all parking for buildings in the plan would be located inside the building. The object is to encourage more walking and use of public transportation.
Streetscape design on part of Newark Avenue and part of Christopher Columbus Drive would be coordinated with the Historic Downtown Newark Avenue Merchants Association and Special Improvement District Association. Business owner has other ideas
Alan Lau is the operator of three restaurants in downtown Jersey City including Sawadee Thai at 137 Newark Ave., located within the Newark Avenue Redevelopment Plan.
Lau said he has been to several community meetings where the plan has been discussed, and while he agrees that the plan will encourage more development and business, there are elements missing, such as vehicular circulation.
“Why not make it a one-way street [on Newark Avenue] going west between Grove and Jersey?” Lau said. “You can have parking if you have just one-way traffic, which is what you need to bring both businesses and visitors into the area.”
Lau also said he would like to see a stipulation in the plan that property owners have five years to make improvements on their properties. Lau might be happy to know that the plan has a five-year timeframe. Comments on this story can be sent to rkaulessar@hudsonreporter.com.