JERSEY CITY – In preparation for the inauguration of Mayor-Elect Steven Fulop on Monday, July 1, city officials are advising residents of street closures downtown in the area of City Hall and are encouraging drivers to seek alternate routes if they have business in that part of town that day.
Vehicular traffic will be restricted between Grand Street and Christopher Columbus Drive, and between Barrow Street and Marin Boulevard, beginning at 9 a.m. on July 1. Parking will also be restricted on these same streets beginning Sunday, June 30 at midnight.
These restrictions will be in place for a full 24 hours.
A press release issued by the city on Wednesday stated that residents and businesses in the area are already being notified of the closures and restrictions through various channels.
“The street closures in the area of city hall are to facilitate the hundreds of people anticipated to attend the public inauguration of Mayor Fulop, which includes a block party celebration…and an inaugural address,” said city spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill. “We [hope] to mitigate the impact on the community, but know this may come as an inconvenience to some. However, we are hopeful that most residents will view this as a historic moment for Jersey City, and will participate in the festivities.”
Fulop’s ceremonial swearing in will take place at 6 p.m. outside of City Hall. Mayor Fulop will be sworn in by Katharine S. Hayden, U.S. District Court Judge for the District of New Jersey. Mayor Fulop will then deliver an inaugural address which, he has said, will further outline the goals of vision of his administration.
New Jersey Governor Christopher Christie and U.S. Senator Robert Menendez will also be in attendance and will each deliver their own remarks during the ceremony.
Following Fulop’s swearing in, there will be a free community block party featuring a performance by ELEW. According to the city, the cost of this celebration will be covered by funds from Fulop’s election fund and is not being paid for with taxpayer dollars.
Earlier in the day, beginning at 1 p.m., the nine members of the newly-elected City Council will be sworn in during a ceremony at City Hall, which will be followed by a reorganization meeting that will begin at 2 p.m.
Following the reorganization meeting, City Hall will be closed as part of security protocols in advance of the evening ceremony.
The newly-elected City Council members include Rolando Lavarro Jr. (at-large); Joyce Watterman (at-large); Daniel Rivera (at-large); Fran Gajewski (Ward A); Khemraj “Chico” Ramchal (Ward B); Richard Boggiano (Ward C); Michael Yun (Ward D); Candice Osborne (Ward E); and Diane Coleman (Ward F).
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