Port Authority prepared for Papal visit
The Port Authority strongly urged travelers to take mass transit if they hold tickets for any of the activities surrounding Pope Francis’ visit to New York City on Friday, Sept. 25, or while going to and from work or other destinations in Manhattan that day. The visit will require numerous street closings that may result in traffic congestion and pedestrian diversions in various parts of the city.
To accommodate customers taking mass transit, PATH will provide additional service on the Journal Square to 33rd Street and Hoboken to 33rd Street lines. PATH will coordinate with regional transportation and security agencies to evaluate the expected numbers of visitors beyond those with tickets to Papal events and will adjust service accordingly. In addition, the entrance to the World Trade Center PATH station will remain open and passengers can continue to access the station via Vesey Street or through the West Concourse.
The Port Authority will work closely with NJ Transit and other bus carriers to accommodate any increase in bus demand that may occur during the papal visit, and will be prepared to handle additional bus traffic at the Port Authority Bus Terminal or George Washington Bridge Bus Station. Bus travelers are urged to check with their carriers prior to Sept. 25 about the status of service to and from the terminal.
PATH, the bus terminal and the Port Authority’s George Washington Bridge, and Lincoln and Holland tunnels will have a full complement of toll collectors, customer assistance staff and police personnel on duty to ensure a safe commute for travelers while Pope Francis is in town. The Port Authority is working with Transcom and the region’s transportation agencies, including NJ Transit and the MTA, to make sure travelers are aware of traffic and transit conditions in Manhattan on Sept. 25.
Prior to the Pope’s visit, travelers are encouraged to sign up for Port Authority alerts athttp://www.paalerts.com/ and plan accordingly.
Mack-Cali to sell office buildings outside of Hudson, build more residential
Mack-Cali Realty Corp., an Edison-based real estate investment trust, has launched a new three-year plan to focus on transit-oriented office building projects and multi-family development. Media reports say they may sell some offices outside of Hudson County and focus on investing in waterfront properties in Jersey City, Weehawken, Hoboken, and West New York.
According to a report in the Record, “Most of that money will go to Mack-Cali’s Roseland subsidiary for residential construction, especially in Jersey City, Weehawken, Hoboken and West New York. The company also will develop more offices along the waterfront.”
The company said it would earmark $600 million to $800 million in assets to help pay for capital improvements and continued expansion in those areas.
They will also move some of their own offices to Jersey City next year.
b>Walmart grant leads to scholarships for Stevens Institute of Technology summer STEM students
Recognizing the need to enhance STEM education, Walmart provided a grant to Stevens Institute of Technology which in turn awarded 30 students across New Jersey full and partial scholarships to the Stevens Institute of Technology’s summer pre-college programs. These included six students from Hudson County, whose awards totaled $13,900. All New Jersey scholarship recipients – rising high school juniors and seniors – were introduced to STEM-related majors through academic engineering, science, business, and technology modules.
The Jersey City scholarship recipients were Suchita Mistry, Jersey City, $1,700 scholarship;
Claire Orare, Jersey City, $3,000 scholarship, and Poojan Patel, Jersey City, $3,000 scholarship.
“Walmart is proud to support Stevens Institute and these motivated, academically talented students who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to be a part of this beneficial program,” said Jennifer Hoehn, director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Walmart. “It is so important to introduce students to STEM programs because of the increasing demand for graduates with this expertise.”
Each course was taught by Stevens Institute instructors and/or doctoral students, with approximately 20-30 participants per class. Students also had the opportunity to visit STEM-related companies in and around the New York City area to learn more about becoming an innovator in the science and technology fields.
Free high holiday services scheduled
Chabad Jewish Center of Hoboken offers free High Holiday Services for Rosh Hashana ( Sept. 13-15) and Yom Kippur (Sept. 22-23). All services will take place at Chabad Jewish Center, 80 Park Ave. (entrance on Newark St.), Hoboken.
There are no membership fees and Chabad’s services are open to all Jews. Chabad runs a traditional service with a contemporary message in a warm and inclusive atmosphere. Hebrew English prayer books are provided. Communal holiday dinners are also available. Online registration required prior to the holiday. Children’s service from 10:45 a.m. to1 p.m. on Rosh Hashana.
For more information visit www.JewishHoboken.com, or call (201)386-5222.
New theater group launches in Jersey City
The Wilsor Theatrical Group, comprised of Jeffrey and Dustin Wilsor and Ivis Fundichely, is making its debut with a performance of Jonathan Larson’s “Tick…Tick…BOOM!” at the Barrow Mansion, 83 Wayne St., in Downtown Jersey City from Sept. 25 through Oct. 4
For more information go to the group’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/wilsortheatricals?fref=nf.
For information about tickets go to https://www.artful.ly/wilsor-theatrical-group
Newport Liberty Half Marathon kicks off on Sept. 20
Sunday, Sept. 20 marks the 22nd annual T-Mobile Newport Liberty Half Marathon in Jersey City.
The 13.1-mile race is often used as a training benchmark for participants that will go on to run the NYC Marathon. The course follows the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway and offers direct views of the NYC skyline, which runners can admire as they race to support Jersey City Medical Center – Barnabas Health.
Racers take their mark at 8:30 a.m. Registration opens at 6:45 a.m. at the Newport Town Square, 100 Town Square Place.
Winnings and records will be awarded during the Post-Race Party with refreshments, a local DJ, and several prize drawings for gift cards and event tickets. All runners will receive finisher medals.
Proceeds will be donated to the Jersey City Medical Center, the area’s newest regional teaching hospital, proving the highest level of care for women, infants, and trauma and heart patients.
The registration fee is $50.
For registration details visit www.newporthalfmarathon.com or call (201) 665-4005.