After years of struggling to convert the old reservoir in Jersey City Heights into a park, Mayor Steven Fulop says a $10 million deal to help transfer New York City’s trash will provide nearly all the money needed for the project.
But residents of the Greenville section of Jersey City who spoke at the Oct. 8 City Council meeting said the mayor is pushing the project through without a proper review, with nearly all of the benefits to the northern part of the city rather than Greenville, which will be most impacted by the transfer deal.
Fulop, in a rare presentation before the City Council caucus meeting on Oct. 6, said that a one-time fee of $10 million will be paid to Jersey City that will allow New York City trash to be brought (by barge) to Greenville rail yards, owned by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, for transport elsewhere. The trash will not even touch Jersey City, he said, but will arrive in sealed containers and will be put onto rail cars to be shipped out.
Besides the $10 million, Jersey City will also receive 25 cents for every ton in excess of 800,000 per year for an estimated $250,000 annually.
The cost of restoring Reservoir 3 is estimated at about $11 million, Fulop said.
“We believe we can make up the difference through grants such as from the Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund,” Fulop told the council.
Reservoir upgrades for recreation
The renovations to Reservoir 3 will include perimeter running and walking tracks and pathways, preservation of existing historic structures, new lighting, new park amenities such as a floating walkway across parts of the water, a kayak launch, beach area with water access, as well as nature and wildlife habit areas.
Because the site contains wetlands, the city will have to seek state and federal permits, a process that should be completed by early next year, clearing the way for bids to go out for work mid-to-late 2015, Fulop said.
“This will be the most ambitious park plan in Jersey City with passive and active recreation, nature and wildlife trails, kayaking, and more.” – Mayor Steven Fulop.
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JC gets its due
New York City under the previous mayor, Michael Bloomberg, contracted with IESI Corporation for the removal of trash. The Port Authority would work with the New York City Department of Sanitation for the expansion of their industrial property at Greenville Yards.
“We were determined that Jersey City would not simply be a pass-through for this operation, but rather that Jersey City would receive the host community fees it deserves,” Fulop said. “We advocated for this $10 million payment for the reservoir, and for what we believe are fair host transfer fees for this type of facility.”
The transfer fee was one of the items that was a sticking point in negotiations because the trash never actually lands in Jersey City. Fulop said the location is a remote industrial area south of Liberty State Park, away from residential property.
Unanswered questions
Martha Larkins, a member of the South Greenville Neighborhood Association, said Fulop is rushing the proposal through the council without getting input of the community most affected by the project.
“I understand the mayor wants a trophy park in the Heights,” Larkins said. “But we need the money in Greenville. Our part of the city is hurting.”
She said she believed this was being rushed through to get a memorandum of understanding completed, but that there were serious questions that remain unanswered about the site, such as whether there is a disaster plan or environmental impact statement. She asked to see specifications on the rail cars to show they really are airtight. She pointed out that there is only one rail line out of that area and that it is being used by a number of companies such as Tropicana. She questioned what happens to the trash if there is a rail backup.
Councilman Richard Boggiano, who voted against the resolution, said this was a similar deal to one that was defeated in 1999, and predicted that company freight will take precedence over trash cars.
“In summer, there will be a stink,” he said, predicting that the containers will be stacked up waiting until the line is free.
Mia Scanga said she called Tropicana, which protested the 1999 proposal, and learned that the city had not notified the company of the plan.
Larkins and others asked the council to delay passing the resolution until some questions can be answered and Councilman Frank Gajewski – who represents the Greenville section and was absent from the meeting – could look into the matter as well.
Approved anyway
A divided City Council voted to approve the project, with Councilmen Boggiano and Michael Yun voting against it, and Councilwoman Joyce Watterman abstaining.
While Yun said he liked the restoration of the park that borders the ward he represents, he also wants questions answered.
The council will get additional opportunities to explore some of the questions since the project may not be able to move ahead without additional approvals. But city administrators were somewhat vague on whether or not the Port Authority could start operations based on the Oct. 8 vote. They were also uncertain as to whether trash transfer operations already existed on the site, since the city has no way to monitor what is done on Port Authority property.
Removing waste
The agreement, voted on by the City Council on Oct. 8, will also allow IESI NY Corporation to commence a containerized municipal solid waste operation through Greenville Yards for a period of 30 years.
Additionally, the expansion of Greenville Yards will remove 800,000 tons of waste currently driven through Jersey City streets to instead be transported in sealed containers on barges to rail, never entering the Jersey City community.
“We are very pleased to partner with Mayor Fulop and Jersey City on this opportunity,” said IESI NY Corporation spokesperson Chaya Cooperberg. “This operation will contribute to the community’s environmental sustainability and provide funds to support the city’s capital needs.”
Pershing Field upgrade on the way
Councilman Michael Yun said he was thrilled with the project, but asked about the 25 cent fee, wondering if it could be negotiated higher.
Fulop said the fee is in line with what other communities are receiving.
Councilman Richard Boggiano, however, asked the mayor about long-awaited improvements to nearby Pershing Field. Fulop said that work is included in a $36.5 million bond that the City Council will consider in November.
The bond would cover the reconstruction, renovation, rehabilitation and improvement of city public parks and fields, playgrounds; public buildings and facilities; road work and traffic related equipment, purchase of vehicles, and other purposes.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.