As Bayonne experiences a rash of new development, some residents are loudly expressing their views—for and against. Even as the 22-story building slated for the Eighth Street area faces little opposition, a nine-story project on Broadway and 46th Street has residents up in arms.
For that project, the battle lines have been drawn, reinforcements have been called in, and another long night of impassioned comment is expected at the Bayonne City Council meeting on Aug. 19.
On one side are Bayonne officials, the project developer, and business leaders who feel that the 88-unit, multi-story residential development proposed for the Resnick’s Hardware site on 46th Street and Broadway and adjacent lots will lure young professionals with high salaries to live here and help spark a citywide renaissance.
On the other side are area residents, their ward councilman, and open-space advocates who believe that a 9- or 10-story building with an adjacent parking garage will change the character of the neighborhood of mainly two-story homes, and lower residents’ quality of life.
Both sides have suggested that additional speakers for their causes will line up to have their feelings aired just prior to when the Lance Lucarelli-sponsored project comes down to a final vote. A public hearing on the initiative that began at the July 22 council meeting will continue because of confusion on the ordinance vote that was being taken at the time. The measure was subsequently tabled to allow more time for review.
City Council President Sharon Nadrowski said preference will be given to those who have not previously addressed the council about the development, since the approximately three dozen people who spoke at the July meeting already have their comments on the record.
Nadrowski said that at this meeting, like the last, the five-minute allotment for comments per person will not be religiously enforced. She did, however, request that speakers stay as close to the five-minute period as possible.
Forty-sixth Street resident Jill Pustorino will again attend, still charging that the concerns of her neighborhood are not being considered. She also feels that open space requirements are being ignored, and that a rush to judgment is being made.
Area resident Bruce Piggot will be there, too, believing, like Pustorino, that things should be slowed down.
“I’m nervous we are putting the cart before the horse,” Piggot said. “Why not have the impact studies and the infrastructure tests completed before the council stamps its approval? What’s wrong with taking proactive measures beforehand to ensure this project is a win for both the developer and the city?”
But there’s talk that those on the other side, a silent majority of sorts, will be there in force, as opposed to the last meeting when the vast majority opposed the proposed apartment complex.
Business leader in favor
More input from the business community is likely.
In a Letter to the Editor in the Aug. 12 issue of the Bayonne Community News, Bayonne Chamber of Commerce President Matt Dorans came out strongly in favor of the project.
“I do believe that everyone shares the same opinion that Bayonne economically is at a crossroad,” Dorans said. “One path leads to new heights of progress and rebirth and the other to empty lots and vacant buildings. We currently have within our grasp an opportunity to not only change the landscape, but the economic future of our city for generations to come.”
Differing council opinions
Third Ward Councilman Gary La Pelusa, whose ward the proposed project would be built in and who lives less than two blocks from the site, has stood firm with his constituents, asserting he could not support the current plan, at 9 or 10 stories.
At last month’s meeting, Nadrowski and First Ward Councilman Thomas Cotter expressed support for the measure. Councilman At Large Juan Perez, absent from last month’s meeting due to a death in the family, would not say how he would vote and preferred not to predict how the vote would turn out.
Councilman Sal Gullace, who last month seemed torn on whether to support the project, now said that he will.
Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com.