Dear Editor:
On Monday evening, Channel 2 News and other networks aired a story about a court decision that could allow three eleven-story towers to be constructed on the last large parcel of potential park land on the North Bergen waterfront at Bull’s Ferry. These buildings could obliterate views of the river and NYC for owners of condos and townhouses on the Palisades Cliffs. It will do something else besides that. It will obliterate views of the majestic Hudson River for all the citizens of North Bergen and Northern New Jersey. If the brick and mortar wall planned for the Hudson River waterfront continues, then the views are for only the few who can afford them!
The governing body of North Bergen, through its Planning Board, will decide the fate of the last large piece of open space on the Hudson River waterfront in North Bergen. Will the loss of this parcel be for a questionable tax reduction in the name of ratables? Or will it become a source for more traffic congestion on River Road, and once again, the obstruction of the Palisades with brick and mortar? The application could create 256 new units on River Road at the historic Bulls Ferry. Is it worth the cost?
The fight is not over. The Sierra Club wants to save the area as a beautiful urban park. A 1986 statement from a DEP official indicated that this would be the best and only reasonable use of this narrow stretch of land. We have submitted a park design to the town of North Bergen. Your readers can get involved to support the creation of a park instead of a high-rise by contacting the Sierra Club thru: jodijami@gmail.com.
We think the views of the Hudson River belong to everyone, not just the chosen few. The membership of the Sierra Club Hudson-Meadowlands Group support an open space park on the site of this last tract of historic Hudson River waterfront and strongly oppose the towers at Bull’s Ferry.
Jodi Jamieson
Sierra Club, Hudson-Meadowlands Group