PROGRESS REPORT • BAYONNE COMMUNITY NEWS • 2011 • 2
WAITING FOR THE FUTURE
Getting better all the time In 2011, Bayonne sees signs of progress
Bayonne’s economic situation is better than people might expect, partly due to the opening of a new mall and long-laid plans for a medical zone.
By Al Sullivan Reporter staff writer
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onsidering all that has gone wrong with the national and international economy over the last five years, Bayonne’s overall economic outlook is better than might be expected. While serious questions remain over the future of Bayonne’s main shopping district along Broadway and whether the state will restore the Urban Enterprise Zone money dedicated to helping the aging district revive, the opening of Bayonne Crossing Mall is a very bright spot for the local economy, providing sorely needed jobs to the community as well as increased tax revenues for the future. Although once thought to be a dead deal, the Off Track Wagering facility to be located near East 5th Street on Route 440 seems to have found life again, promising even more economic benefits. Real estate, which took the heaviest hit in the economic downturn, may be showing signs of recovery, and indeed, for the savvy investor, the market has some promising deals.
While the sale of portions of the former Military Ocean Terminal to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has left some disappointment in the real estate community, Bayonne is still seen as a good place to invest – especially for families. A long-planned medical zone for the city saw some movement with the approval of plans for several projects, and could be the basis of a new professional services industry in the city. Some feared the recent sale of the Bayonne Medical Center’s building and property would dash these hopes, but hospital officials said the move was designed to provide BMC with cash to reinvest in the hospital, a very positive sign. Other developments are on the horizon, including projects such as the one at the former Maidenform site on Avenue E. These promise to become part of a very positive redevelopment future. Local schools appear to be in good shape with several positive changes taking place in both the public and Catholic schools in the city. Overall, Bayonne seems to be holding its own, anticipating a time when the national economy will start expanding again.
3 • 2011 • BAYONNE COMMUNITY NEWS • PROGRESS REPORT
A GRAND VISION
AGING OUT
Although the Alexan CityView is one of the projects that were successfully built under the vision for an extended Gold Coast at the MOTBY, the change in plans may make it the last residential development to be built there.
It’s all up from here
Bayonne’s housing stock is old, most of it constructed prior to World War II, an issue that the city has to address if it expects to become a destination for the 21st Century.
BAYONNE IS STILL A BARGAIN
Bayonne real estate may be on the mend By Al Sullivan Reporter staff writer
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ayonne real estate – along with most of the nation’s – took a real hit over the last four years, as home values dropped by 34 percent from their all time high in 2006. But real estate agents believe the trend is changing and that the local market will see an improvement in the next year. After steady increases in the average sale price of homes, from $135,313 in 1996 to an all time high of $390,652 in 2006, sales took a nosedive over the following four years. In 2010, Bayonne saw closings on only 237 residential units, down from 459 in 2005.
“We’re seeing commercial property becoming affordable to investors.” – James Sucato Despite the negative numbers, there are signs of hope. “The general consensus is that things will turn around when we hit 2003 prices,” said Michael Bernescu, branch office manager of Weichert Realtors in Bayonne. That happened in 2010, suggesting that the market has bottomed out and is poised to begin a slow, but steady rise. If the first two months of 2011 are any indication, these forecasts may be right. “Everything has a cycle,” Bernescu said, noting that some people did not buy for the long term – which is a basic premise for real estate – and jumped out of the market when the housing prices started to decline.
One of the unusual problems with this downturn is that it hurt the whole market, rental and purchase, Bernescu said. In the past, if housing sales went down, the demand increased for rental properties. Over the last four years both sales and rentals seemed to decline, partly because people who are leaving the housing market are not renting, but doubling up with family members or friends. While the number of rentals improved early in 2011 with 180 units leased, as opposed to 124 in December, the average price for rentals has dropped from $1,291 to $1,255. Bernescu said Bayonne remains a desirable place to live, within easy reach of New York City. It is a safe and affordable community that allows people to access jobs in Manhattan. He said people who are coming into the market seemed to be more conservative, looking for a longer-term benefit. “We’ve moving back to basics,” he said.
Commercial sales picking up James Sucato, broker of record for The Property Shop, Inc., said commercial property sales seemed to be picking up over the last few months. “This is because of a decrease in prices,” he said. “We’re seeing commercial property becoming affordable to investors.” These are properties that can be adapted easily to new use, not large scale redevelopment. “We’re not talking about large parcels where things have to be torn down,” he said. “That kind of development is pretty much on hold. But there seems to be a need for available commercial space which can be used right away.” He said this has the potential for improving the local economy and causing a positive ripple effect into sectors like job growth and residential realty. There are also a number of bargains for
Whether your buying or renting, Bayonne still provides the most bang for the buck, local realtors say, saying one and two family houses can be had at much reduced prices. one and two family homes, he said, with interest rates below 5 percent and prices lower than in the past. If a buyer can get a bank mortgage – a problem in the recent past, but which some experts believe may be getting easier – then a buyer can pick up real deals. Properties that once sold between $550,000 and $600,000 are on the market for $350,000 to $400,000.
Location, transportation, and low prices are a plus Sucato said Bayonne remains attractive because of its proximity to New York City, and with the rising costs of fuel, it remains one of the few affordable urban areas in the New York market. While the Hudson Bergen Light Rail line and its new local extension to Eighth Street provide an alternative means of transportation to jobs outside Bayonne, it is prices lower than Hoboken and Jersey City that make Bayonne attractive. “Bayonne is the third choice for many people looking to live on this side of the Hudson River, [and] the
Light Rail is a plus,” said Sucato. Rentals are an alternative to buying, and there are a significant number on the market, although many potential renters are being very selective. But he said price makes Bayonne more attractive because someone can get more see REAL
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PROGRESS REPORT • BAYONNE COMMUNITY NEWS • 2011 • 4
Adjusting to a new reality
BAYONNE HIGH SCHOOL
Bayonne’s public and private schools see changes MARIST HIGH SCHOOL
STAYING THE COURSE – With a change of principal mid-year, Marist High School is focused on making sure the students get the same quality education as they have in the past.
HOLY FAMILYACADEMY
A NEW FACE FOR AN OLD SCHOOL – Mary Tremitiedi brings a lot of experience to her new post as principal of Holy Family Academy. By Al Sullivan Reporter staff writer
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he Bayonne schools are doing surprisingly well, considering all the obstacles they’ve had to overcome in the last year, from cuts in state aid to changes in principals in the two Catholic high schools. The goal this year appears to be making significant changes behind the scenes while still providing the same quality level of education to students. Bayonne’s public schools started off the new year with a new business administrator, several new acting principals, and a tighter budget than in the past. Holy Family Academy and Marist High School also celebrated new principals coming into the
new school year. At the beginning of 2011, Marist’s principal had to leave due to illness, forcing an assistant principal to take over.
Doing more with less in the public schools “It’s all about doing more with less money,” said Dr. Ellen O’Connor, assistant superintendent for curriculum for the Bayonne School District. With the loss of $5.1 million that the state of New Jersey eliminated from the district’s budget, it has been a challenge this year to deliver the same level of quality education with fewer resources. As a result, Dr. O’Connor said, the district implemented and/or continued several initiatives that address high priority educa-
TOUGH TIMES – With cut backs in state aid over the last few years, Bayonne public schools have been finding ways to do more things with less. tional strategies and also are fiscally prudent in light of the budget constraints. These include establishing literacy and math coaches, technology teams, data teams, tracking individual student progress from K to 12 and the installation of Smart Board technology into classrooms. Smart Boards, which are replacing the traditional blackboards as teaching aids, are interactive whiteboards driven by a computer that project teaching lessons. Many Smart Boards throughout the district were purchased through grant funding during the past few years, she said. “Literacy and math coaches were introduced three years ago, but have expanded in numbers this year,” Dr. O’Connor said. “Currently, there are eight literacy and two math coaches. The coaches’ salaries are removed from the local budget and their salaries are funded by the Federal Grant, Title II A.” The coaches are master teachers who have attended conferences and workshops in and out of the district, then pass along what they’ve learned to other teachers in each elementary school in staff development day presentations. They also provide support for classroom teachers, offer model lessons, and work with at-risk students. Technology teams arose out of the fact that there is only one technology teacher in each elementary school. The teams were developed to support classroom teachers with technology integration, troubleshooting hardware, and software concerns. Due to the time constraints on the elementary principals, data teams were formed to assess and analyze test data and pass it along through workshops to others. “Once the data had been analyzed on a district, school and grade level, it became apparent that individual student performance analysis was necessary,” Dr. O’Connor said. “Therefore, student profiles were developed which follow students from
kindergarten to grade 12. During the three staff training and development days, the majority of the time is focused on data analysis.”
Change of leadership at Marist won’t affect programs Moving over to the parochial schools, the most important news out of Marist High School this year may be the fact that students will feel little impact concerning the changes of leadership there. Alice Miesnik, who has served as assistant principal of Marist High School since 1997, took over as acting principal after Marist Brother Donnell Neary – principal since last July – became ill and needed time to recuperate. Over the last few years, Marist has been expanding its technology in order to allow the school to access programs usually out of reach of smaller high schools. This was made possible by the opening of its library media center about five years ago. In some ways, Marist, a Catholic college preparatory co-ed high school that draws students from many locations, ties together the Catholic communities in both Bayonne and Jersey City. It generally has an enrollment of around 500 students each year in grades nine through 12. Miesnik said programs such as “Project Accelerate” – a course for gifted and talented students who team up with Our Lady of Mercy Elementary School in Jersey City and All Saints Academy in Bayonne – will continue, as will other innovative programs such as science classes designed to prepare students for careers in the medical field. Along with other programs that focus on technology, the school has also instituted email accounts for students and other online resources that will allow students access to more information. see EDUCATION page 6
Bayonne Crossing mall is largest project in Bayonne By Al Sullivan Reporter staff writer
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he sale of a large portion of the former Military Ocean Terminal to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey was the most dramatic development news of last year in Bayonne. It was seen by some as a step backward for the future of the city, and by others as a change that made economic sense, given the economic realities of today’s real estate market. What was intended to be prime real estate for residential development has been taken over for possible use as a container port, with two major consequences. Unlike residential development, the port will yield no ongoing property tax revenue for the city. And development of residential housing on the 432 acre location would have allowed the city to modernize its housing stock, 76 percent of which was built prior to World War II. People would have moved into new homes on the peninsula from other parts of Bayonne, allowing older homes to be replaced. The agreement forged last summer between the Port Authority and the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority transferred the title of about 130 acres of MOTBY in exchange for $235 million to be paid over the next two decades. This put an end to previous plans that would have constructed 6,700 housing units as well as commercial, entertainment and other development. Part of the agreement with the Port Authority requires the city to modify existing zoning for several of the remaining parcels for the possible development of warehouse space to accommodate the container operations. But the actual proposed use of the property by the Port Authority remains vague, even though most of the businesses that had rented space on that property prior to the sale have moved out with two significant exceptions: Royal Caribbean cruise ship line, which operates out of Port Liberty, and the Bayonne Dry Dock. Both have long term leases, and will likely continue operations there at least for the foreseeable future. While rumors abound about a possible move by Royal Caribbean to new port facilities in Brooklyn, the company has set its sailing schedule through the end of 2012. Internal company chatter has been discussing the possibility of housing its Freedom class cruise ships in Bayonne, suggesting they are not planning to move soon. One critical piece in the Port Authority plans involves Harbor View Park, which the city has yet to deed over to the Port Authority pending some serious legal complications. Because the park was developed using some state Green Acres grant money, another larger park must be developed before this one can be closed. More significantly, the park contains a 100-foot 9/11 monument and other tributes that would have to also be relocated – a costly task the city may not be able to afford, despite its sale agreement with the Port Authority. While Gov. Christopher Christie’s office said the Port Authority currently has no plans to move the monument, the actual responsibility for moving it would be on the city of Bayonne, which reportedly is still looking for alternative sites – including one existing park site near the tip of nearby Global Terminals.
Bayonne Crossing mall opens By far, the biggest development story of 2011 will be the gradual opening of stores in Bayonne Crossing Mall. Longhorn Steak House, Five Guys Hamburgers and Fries, Sonic, and Lowe’s Home Improvement have opened. Bayonne is looking forward to the opening of Walmart and an assortment of other smaller stores in the mall to complete the dramatic transformation of the Route 440 corridor. This hopesee DEVELOPMENT page 6
Projects like Maidenform – which convert existing buildings of the past into new uses – hold great promise for the city’s future development.
5 • 2011 • BAYONNE COMMUNITY NEWS • PROGRESS REPORT
Major development not in the forecast
A BRIGHT LIGHT
PROGRESS REPORT • BAYONNE COMMUNITY NEWS • 2011 • 6
DEVELOPMENT
from page 5
fully will keep people in Bayonne from shopping in other towns and draw shoppers from Jersey City and possibly Staten Island. Bayonne Crossing Mall is intended to have a beneficial relationship to the Broadway shopping district, but that plan is threatened if the Christie administration does away with the state’s Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program. A $2.5 million loan from the Bayonne UEZ was used to help finance construction of Bayonne Crossing, which is within the Bayonne UEZ, and continued revenue from the sales taxes generated by the mall was to offset some of the negative impact of the mall’s opening on older businesses along Broadway by helping to fund modernization of Broadway. But if Christie cancels the UEZ program, that plan dies, leaving the mall as a major competitor to the downtown shopping district. “We’re hoping for the best and that we can get the UEZ funding restored,” said UEZ Executive Director and the city’s Chief Financial Officer, Terrence Malloy. The impact of the new mall on Broadway will likely be felt most with the expected opening of the new Walmart later this year. Although the 91,000 square foot store will be about half the usual size of a Walmart store, it will be full service, posing a serious challenge to many of the existing Broadway stores. On the positive side, Bayonne Crossing is expected to generate more than 800 full-time jobs when fully built.
Other projects on the horizon One of the most promising new projects expected to generate a significant boost to the local tax base is the Bayonne Energy Center, located on New Hook Road near
REAL ESTATE
A SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT
The opening of the 8th Street station for the Hudson Bergen Light Rail will likely help revive the Bergen Point section of the city. the Kill Van Kull. The center is expected to provide millions in taxes and fees for water purchase, but with almost no negative impact or demand for local services. Plans for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority’s Off-Track Wagering Facility have been recently revived. The two story, 35,000 square foot building with
from page 3
for their money here than they can in Hoboken or Jersey City. “Downtown in Jersey City is tight,” Sucato said. “You can hardly find a decent one bedroom for $1,000 a month, but in Bayonne you can find good two-bedroom apartments for $1,100.” Both realtors agree that Bayonne is an easy sell for people looking for a safe community with a great school system in which to raise a family. Sucato said Bayonne is not yet poised to take the next step in attracting young professionals that places like downtown Jersey City has. This is partly due to the fact Broadway hasn’t yet begun to develop the kind of nightlife needed to draw that crowd. Bernescu said the sale of the former Military Ocean Terminal to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey earlier this year may have unforeseen negative consequences for the long term growth of the local real estate market. The development of residential housing on the 432-acre location would have allowed the city to modernize its housing stock, he said, noting that 76 percent of Bayonne’s residential housing was built prior to World War II. “Our housing is obsolete,” Bernescu said. “By building new homes on the base, people would have moved into them from other parts of Bayonne, and then older homes could be replaced. Developing a container port here makes no sense. This is very valuable land, and with the lifting of the Bayonne Bridge, ships can go to ports better suited for them.” To comment on this story on-line, go to our website, www.hudsonreporter.com. Al Sullivan can be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.
EDUCATION
a party room and restaurant could become one more economic attraction along the Route 440 corridor. If built, the facility will include a restaurant and could generate a combination of 100 full and part-time jobs, including OTW staff, security, maintenance, and food service. A slightly smaller facility operating
from page 4
HFA steers straight course under new principal Holy Family Academy, an all-girls’ Catholic High School in Bayonne, started off the year with a new principal. Mary Tremitiedi, a retired administrative assistant to the superintendent of Hoboken schools and a former principal, took over the reigns of the school just before the start of the school year, helping to continue the miraculous salvation of a school saved from closing two years ago by a group that included alumni and parents. Principal Tremitiedi comes with an impressive 38 years of experience in education. She spent her first 13 years as a teacher, followed by 10 years as a vice principal and then another five years as principal. Although her education experience is in public schools, Tremitiedi said she understands Catholic education very well, since she attended Catholic schools for 12 years. One of the goals of the school’s board of trustees was to continue what many considered an extremely successful educational program. When taking over operations from the order of nuns that ran the school previously, the school did not make many changes in curriculum. While the school saw some changes, such as block scheduling to allow longer classes for more advanced
school work, the school has continued to churn out young female scholars and entire classes of graduates who have been accepted to colleges and universities throughout the country. One of the key ingredients in the school’s success, Tremitiedi said, is the tremendous involvement of parents and the strong support of the trustees. “What I would like to do is increase professional development,” Tremitiedi said, which could involve getting girls in the school enrolled in workshops. With many schools around the state and nation shedding arts programming, HFA is actually pushing the arts, through a variety of programs including its coffee house readings and its on line arts magazine. Like Marist, HFA is partnering with other schools such as St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City and Caldwell College to give students increased access to educational opportunities. With 137 students enrolled this year, HFA is still struggling to increase enrollment, and is constantly looking for grants and fundraising opportunities.
All Saints Academy is a success story With 450 students this year, All Saints Academy has become the strong Catholic elementary school most people hoped for when five local Catholic schools combined into one school three years ago. Principal Sister Eileen Jude Wust said she is always looking to get better, and
in Woodbridge currently sees $2 million wagered weekly. To comment on this story on-line, go to our website, www.hudsonreporter.com. Al Sullivan can be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.
with the recommendations from the Middle States Accreditation made earlier this year, the school has a map of its strengths and its weaknesses and is well on its way to becoming an even stronger school. “But I like to think we’re the best kept secret in Bayonne,” she said. One of most significant changes this year came as the result of a $25,000 donation for a school computer lab. This includes 30 new state of the art PC’s that will give the lab a longer life. “Technology changes quickly,” Sister Wust said. “By purchasing top-of-theline computers, we are avoiding them becoming out of date too soon.” They will augment other technology for the cyber field trips the school is planning to take in conjunction with the Liberty Science Center. The school has also upgraded its arts and music program, thanks to a grant that will provide texts and a CD allowing online connections. The program provides kids with the ability to study and even perform plays. The school has also begun a new creative writing program and is upgrading its text books. The school has already upgraded its language arts and literature materials, and is currently looking to upgrade the math, science and social studies texts. To comment on this story on-line, go to our website, www.hudson reporter.com. Al Sullivan can be reached at asullivan@hudson reporter.com.
Our mission and vision Bayonne Medical Center is a fully accredited, acute-care hospital located in Hudson County, NJ. Caring for the people of Bayonne and our neighboring communities is our most important mission. We are a growing, thriving institution with cutting edge technology, comprehensive patient resources and outstanding facilities.
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7 • 2011 • BAYONNE COMMUNITY NEWS • PROGRESS REPORT
High quality health care, close to home.
PROGRESS REPORT • BAYONNE COMMUNITY NEWS • 2011 • 8
Bayonne as medical Mecca Medical Center the key piece in large picture By Al Sullivan Reporter staff writer
AT THE CENTER
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he real estate deal that allowed an Alabama company to purchase Bayonne Medical Center’s real estate last month will not interfere with the hospital’s plans to move ahead with the construction of a new medical building on the property, a hospital spokesperson said. Last June, the Bayonne Planning Board approved plans for a new three-story medical building to be constructed on BMC’s front lawn, which would provide doctors’ offices for outpatient services. The 52,000 square-foot medical office building will be constructed on a portion of property that abuts Avenue E between 29th and 30th Street at a cost of about $12 million. In February, BMC’s owners sold off the land and existing facility as part of a real estate deal that will generate about $58 million, which hospital management said will get reinvested into hospital operations. This deal raised questions about the future of the office building project, and also left a huge possible hole in the city’s plans to develop a medical zone throughout the city, a kind of Silicon Valley for the medical profession that would encourage doctors and medical services to locate in Bayonne. But BMC said the plans to develop the office building are still intact. “We are continuing to work with the developer on the medical office building project,” said Allyson Miller, public relations director for BMC. Bayonne Medical Center is the foundation of the city’s hope to host a number of medical facilities.
OMNI ON HOLD
The nursing home planned for Broadway may not happen this year due to legal complications.
Millions in capital improvements Despite the sale of the property, BMC management’s annual report shows the BMC’s owners have made more than $17 million in capital improvements since taking over the hospital in 2008, which includes new programs and new initiatives with more planned for the future, said BMC Executive Director Daniel Kane. This includes vascular cauterization, a completely new Emergency Room reconstruction, and development of a new pathology system, a new surgery center, and new electronic record keeping. The hospital currently has a scanning unit for use in cancer screening and hopes to get access to a second scanner that can be used for cardiology. BMC currently has the only scan unit in Hudson County for head injury, Kane said. “One of the things we’re very proud of is that we totally remodeled the cauterization and vascular labs,” Kane said. The hospital has developed an integrated program, so that the programs are interchangeable between cauterization and vascular labs. BMC has invested $2.2 million in computer systems, new equipment and renovation of that area, and the hospital has added eight new cardiologists, vastly increasing the number of procedures the hospital has done, doubling the number in 2010 over the number done in 2009, Kane said. BMC has also developed a new patient monitoring system at $1.1 million, pro-
cured a new 16-slice scanner for about $250,000, and has acquired a new state of the art ambulatory surgery center, a renovation that cost about $1 million. “We also upgraded the equipment in our endoscopy unit and GI unit at the cost of about $250,000,” Kane said. Kane said the hospital is currently working to build a new radiation oncology center, which could open later in 2011. Kane said he is particularly proud of the emergency department. The emergency room has installed a new electronic records system, which makes it virtually paperless, and helps reduce waiting times at the ER to less than 30 minutes. “It’s our goal to have the waiting room there empty,” Kane said. “We want, when a patient arrives, to have that person seen by a physician within 30 minutes.” Kane said that his goal is to continue this move towards becoming “paperless” by expanding its electronic records system through the hospital as a whole by the end of 2011 or early 2012. The hospital has recently built a new data center at the cost of about $500,000, Kane said. Other new programs: Over the last year, BMC has developed a new bariatric weight loss surgery program. In addition, the hospital also has a 15-bed geriatric psychiatry unit, with all of the beds usually occupied. BMC has also been working with Horizon, a federally qualified health center, to operate the hospital family health care center for people who do not have health insursee MEDICAL page 11
The City of Bayonne has carried out the most far-reaching government reorganization since 1962. We have reduced the number of municipal departments from nine to four. We have the lowest number of City employees since the early 1990’s. As people have retired, we have replaced as few workers as possible. We are doing more with less. . . During 2010, the City of Bayonne retired $9.8 million in debt. In 2011, we are continuing to manage tax dollars with discipline. The Bayonne Crossing shopping mall will offer 350,000 sq. ft. of retail space, 800 retail jobs, and more than $2 million in sales tax revenue for Bayonne’s Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ). Construction has created more than 1,000 building trades jobs. Several stores and restaurants have already opened. More businesses will follow in 2011.
The Bayonne Energy Center Project will generate electric power and $500 million in investment, along with new jobs, income, and tax ratables. Construction will create 300 building trades jobs. The new 8th Street Light Rail Station is open. The new station will improve transportation for our Bergen Point residents. The extension of the rail line will encourage economic development, revitalize neighborhoods, and increase property values.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has announced plans to raise the roadbed on the Bayonne Bridge. This project will save maritime jobs in our area, while also preserving Bayonne neighborhoods.
BAYONNE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS AND WELCOMES NEW INVESTMENT, JOBS, AND OPPORTUNITY. MAYOR MARK A. SMITH Debbie Czerwienski
Agnes Gillespie
Bayonne Municipal Council Terry Ruane, President
Joseph Hurley
Raymond Greaves
9 • 2011 • BAYONNE COMMUNITY NEWS • PROGRESS REPORT
THE CITY OF BAYONNE STRIVES FOR EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PROGRESS REPORT • BAYONNE COMMUNITY NEWS • 2011 • 10
UEZ fight gears up
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHOPPING DISTRICT
Bayonne merchants organize to oppose program loss By Al Sullivan Reporter staff writer
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he Christie administration’s threat to abolish the 30-year-old Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program has brought together various elements of Bayonne’s economic community, including the Town Center Management Corporation, the Bayonne Chamber of Commerce, and city officials, who are leading a drive to oppose the governor. “It’s very confusing as to exactly what the state wants to do,” said Assemblyman Jason O’Donnell, who will spearhead the move to retain the program. Gov. Christopher Christie seized UEZ funding last year to help fill a deficit in the state budget. He also left in limbo a program designed to aid ailing urban business districts like those in Bayonne by allowing them to charge half the rate of state sales tax (3.5 percent instead of 7) and use some of the revenue to make the districts more attractive to customers. Money from the program also pays for maintenance and paying a portion of the salaries for police and street cleaners. Local officials, including members of the Town Center Management Corporation and other business interest groups, met with state Sen. Sandra Cunningham late last year to try to get a read on the future of the program, since some of the activities for the business district are funded through UEZ. A consultant hired by the administration issued a report two days after the governor’s Feb. 22 budget message that was critical of the benefits the program provided to the state, claiming for every dollar
“We’re gearing up to lobby Trenton to keep the program.” – Matt Dorans spent over a six-year period from 2002 to 2008, the state only received 8 cents in return. Local officials, especially UEZ Executive Director Terrence Malloy, said the benefits are more far reaching than what the state gets back. Because businesses get a tax break on upgrades to their facilities, the program helps modernize aging business districts, and as business improves, these districts create jobs. Even with its funds frozen by the state, the Bayonne local UEZ has been active, performing many of the functions, including the overseeing of the façade improvement program that has helped transform the exterior appearance of many Broadway stores. O’Donnell said the program isn’t dead yet, noting that he’s heard conflicting reports, one of which suggests that the UEZ program might be revamped into something more focused on economic development. Whatever Christie proposes will have to be approved by the state legislature. “We’re gearing up to lobby Trenton to keep the program,” said Matt Dorans, president of the Bayonne Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber has been very active this year In recognition of the hard times some people are facing in the community, the Chamber has been active in charity events, the most recent of which was held at Ten East in December and raised about $3,700 which was distributed to the city’s food pantries. The decline in the economy, Dorans said, makes the Chamber even more important for local businesses, because it is an organization dedicated to looking out for the interests of its membership. Recruitment has been a large part of the Chambers’ activities, and a key to its continuing role as a business advocate in the future. The more members the Chamber has, the more clout it has in deal-
While new businesses are opening along Route 440, a state program to help ailing Broadway could be at risk.
11 • 2011 • BAYONNE COMMUNITY NEWS • PROGRESS REPORT
ing with other entities such as local, state, and federal government. Dorans, who became president of the Bayonne Chamber of Commerce early in 2007, said reaching out to the community through a variety of “meet and greet” events has allowed the Chamber to introduce itself to a new business community and has brought in new members. Dorans said the new Chamber reflects the change from manufacturing to service industries, so naturally some of the new members are in finance and even medical professions.
JOB CREATOR
Town Center Management Although some programs are tied to UEZ funding, the Bayonne Town Center, which is a Special Improvement District dedicated to revitalizing Bayonne’s shopping area from 17th to 30th streets on Broadway, including East and West 22nd Street, has initiatives of its own, which include using internet social media such as Facebook for its promotions. Some programs likely to continue in the next year include those that support small businesses, holiday events such as a tree lighting, Menorah Lights, horse and buggy rides, and breakfast with Santa. During the warm weather, the Town Center sponsors regular classic car shows on Broadway, an annual sidewalk sale, movies under the stars, ice cream and hot dog eating contests, and other programs. But the organization has also taken some critical stands, such as adopting a comprehensive strategic plan to sustain the shopping district, one of the key elements of which is to create more parking that would allow customers to come into the traditional shopping districts more easily. Town Center is also dealing with the issue of pigeon droppings through the use of inexpensive plastic spikes. Two new members were elected to the board recently, David Jiji of Networking Café and Antony Ventrone of San Vito Restaurant.
MEDICAL
New businesses like Sonic promise to bring employment to people in Bayonne.
Route 440 malls The opening of the Bayonne Crossing Mall promises to be a boon to Bayonne, even if the traditional Broadway shopping district has to adjust. Lowe’s Home Improvement, Sonic, Five Guys, and Longhorn Steak House have already opened their doors, with Walmart and other stores expected to open before the end of the year. This promises new taxes to the city, new jobs to city residents, and a thriving business drawing in people from other areas of the state. Along with
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ance and would otherwise not have access to medical care, Kane said. Two years ago, the hospital opened a wound care center designed to help patients with nonhealing wounds caused by diabetes and other ailments. Last October, the state designated BMC as a stroke center. “Part of what we are doing is educating the community about the symptoms of stroke,” Kane said. If treated within an hour of the stroke, the chances improve of a patient not suffering permanent damage, he said. During 2010, BMC provided 35 health fairs and other educational related programs that were attended by more than 1,500 people, something that will be continued and even expanded in the future. During the last three years, BMC has also restored the resident transportation program. The hospital has also developed a transition care unit, ranked one of the top units in the United States, and its endoscopy unit is ranked at 156th in the country. Last year, BMC also established a new clinical pharmacy program.
Medical mecca? On hold at the moment is the proposed 120bed Bayonne Omni Nursing Home and
the existing South Cove Mall, the Route 440 corridor in Bayonne is becoming a viable economic engine for the city.
Uptown and downtown Unfortunately, the once-promising Bergen Point Merchants Association seems to have become dormant just as their dream of a new train station has become a reality. This could change as the extension of the Hudson Bergen Light Rail line brings passengers into the Eighth Street area,
Rehabilitation Center, a 10-story mixed commercial building on Broadway between East 29th and East 30th streets situated behind the Bayonne Medical Center. When built, that will feature a nursing home, medical office, parking and ground floor retail. Demolition of the site has been completed, remediation is close to complete, and construction is expected to start later this year. The $25 million project is proposed by Omni Healthcare of New Jersey, which owns and operates similar facilities in Union City, West New York, Jersey City and Secaucus. The project is expected to generate almost $500,000 in additional property taxes as well as more than 200 jobs, not including construction jobs. The project is expected to take 18 to 20 months to complete. RDA Realty is expected to break ground on a 40,000 square foot medical office building on the site of the former Holiday Tree and Trim on Broadway near 40th Street. The Bayonne Planning Board also approved a new doctors’ building last year for East 27th Street. Other potential facilities would be scattered through the city, all intended to attract other medical groups to consider Bayonne as a possible location. “This is a bright spot for us,” said John Fussa, Bayonne’s city planner. To comment on this story on-line, go to our website, www.hudsonreporter.com. Al Sullivan can be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.
combined with the opening of other local institutions such as the Community Museum in that area. More hopeful this year was the effort by businessman Vincent Virga, president of Partnership Financial Services, to revive the uptown shopping district, with the aim of building a community organization there. To comment on this story on-line, go to our website, www.hudsonreporter.com. Al Sullivan can be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.
A NEW USE
Once the showroom of an auto dealer, the site of Holiday Tree and Trim store may become a new medical facility.
The Bayonne Town Center Working to improve YOUR Downtown!
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A number of changes have been made to our Board of Directors and the BTC welcomed new members in 2010. Join Us in Welcoming to the Board…. Councilman Joe Hurley David Jiji, Networking Café Anthony Ventrone, SanVito's Restaurant The BTC Board is committed to revitalizing the district and will continue with new promotional campaigns and facade programs. • • • • • • • • • •
Help us welcome these New Businesses to the Town Center! D'Angels Beauty Salon, Impact Body & Fitness, Ann's Closet Thrift, Yoshitsune Jujutsu Kai, Metro PCS, 2 Boost Mobile locations, Best Alterations, Nuovo Venezia, BYM Pawnbroker, Rezzo Food Market, Liberty Tax, Zeena Fashions, and SJ Quest. • • • • • • • • • • • • • The Bayonne Town Center boasts a number of businesses that will help you indulge yourself! From award winning salons and spas to quality jewelry shops, you'll never run out of ways to spoil yourself or the ones you love!
PamperYourself!
Hungry? Looking for the perfect place to dine for a special occasion or a casual family meal? Look no further than Broadway's eateries that have been serving Bayonne for years.
BAYONNE TOWN CENTER
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PROGRESS REPORT • BAYONNE COMMUNITY NEWS • 2011 • 12
PAID FOR WITH THE USE OF UEZ FUNDS
BROADWAY between 17th & 30th Streets including East & West 22nd Street
FOR MORE INFO. CALL THE BTC at 201.339.9409 or VISIT OUR WEBSITE bayonnetowncenter.com