To the Editor:
Wow, is all I have to say after this week’s marathon council meeting. Did the people of Bayonne finally wake up? I believe the capacity crowd who made the time to have their voices heard was a great show of force. It shows how much all of us care about our city and its future development.
After hearing all the comments and questions, it would seem likely that this measure would not pass. However, the issue was only tabled as there was some confusion on the vote at the end. Either way you look at it, I do believe that the council will allow the construction of the 10-story-building.
I know it’s very hard for all of us to accept change especially when that change happens right next to where we live. It’s hard to swallow at first – the mindset changes to immediate anger and then we think, what can we do to fight it?
I am sure that a lot of people felt like this when the light rail came to the city. First, there were uptown residents, then midtown residents and finally downtown residents. We all thought of potential new crimes, new travelers, traffic, litterers etc. The light rail was a great addition to our city and continues to bring a variety of new residents into the area, which is great. The light rail was the one great idea that will continue to change our city. As other towns begin to price young families out of the housing market, Bayonne will gain new families and new investors. There is no other town in Hudson County that can stand up to Bayonne, and we all know the reasons why. It’s the hearts of all of us; we are the pulse of Bayonne.
Bayonne is on the verge of an exciting era. Yes, the country went through a recession the last couple of years but as some industry leaves, new industries are born. All of us should try to have more of an open mind. Yes, I miss the old school Bayonne and it may never come back the way we remember, but this city will prosper again, and we will continue to enjoy our hometown.
I am in support of the new 46th Street project because I believe that Bayonne needs some “shock and awe” development. This project will exactly do that. If the project gets cut down, then the developer cannot market the project as having a great view, and people pay for that. If you think about this logically, for the last 10 years, we have all been subjected to higher taxes and politicians who ran a great marketing dept and nothing else. Even though I am not a fan of the so-called pecking order of politics in Hudson County, I believe in this project. If young professionals move into town and they can afford the rents, then they will also afford to eat in and invest in Bayonne. These people will get involved in our city and will not just sit home after a workday. We are talking about motivated, educated professionals. They will join the gym, network, and add to our city’s economy.
Most of the rhetoric at the meeting was rough, and there seemed to be a lot of angry comments based on negative assumptions. There were some valid points like a possible tax abatement, more kids in our schools and how this project meets the Redevelopment Law.
If you look at anything, look at the math. If this developer moves on or this project stalls, then Bayonne will have to wait for tax ratables. If it passes, it will be an added plus for all of us, higher tax ratables, back taxes paid to the city and within five years, our home prices will rise.
JOHN MILAN SEBIK