Volume 18, No. 4
April 14th - April 28th 2014 FREE PUBLICATION
riverviewobserver.net
201-349-4336
SKWAY
Pg. 2 Lane Closures Kirby Pg. 3 Norman Artist
Pg. 6
On the cover
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SKYWAY LANE CLOSURES
What will it mean for the Hudson County Public that drives on the 82 year old Pulaski Skyway? Pulaski Skyway daily will By Ricardo Kaulessar feel the same way as he “It is a hell of does as the 82-year-old bridge’s two northbound an inconvenience closed Saturday April but it’s for a good lanes 12th for the next two years to rebuild the bridge deck. cause.” Mainor was one of State Assemblyman several state and local ofCharles Mainor (D-Jersey ficials, including Jersey City) hopes the 40,000 City Mayor Steven Fulop drivers who take the
and Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer, who were in attendance for a press conference April 10th at Casinoin-the-Park in Jersey City to address the traffic issues for commuters as a result of the closing of the lanes as part of the state’s eight-year $1.2 billion Pulaski Skyway Rehabilitation Project.
Photo by Ricardo Kaulessar Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and Department of Transportation Commissioner James Simpson at April 10th press conference
Cont’d on page 4
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THE ZEN OF LINES Artist Norman Kirby Creates and Connects with Lines, Paint and Sometimes Wire By Sally Deering
Standing near the cash
register at the Union Republic eatery in Downtown Jersey City things get a little spicy and I’m not talking about the food. On the wall near the entrance, wood engravings of nude men and women in repose seem to catch the eye and offer a pleasing distraction when trying to decide latte or cappuccino.
nudes are hanging now at Union Republic. “At New York Bagel, I have five paintings up there and one sculpture piece made of wire,” Kirby says. “The paintings are acrylics on canvas and depict faces on an abstract background.” Kirby works in several mediums, pen & ink; acrylics; and he creates sculptures with wire. Some of the figures he draws seem
Dead Stars at Lamp Post by Artist Norman Kirby The engravings are by to have a wiry image like artist Norman Kirby of his piece “Dead Stars at Jersey City and Union ReLamp Post”. His line drawpublic is just one of several ings are like pen & ink venues where Kirby’s work snapshots, moments in time can be seen locally. He captured by hand like his has a series of paintings at piece “Tea NJ” which in New York Bagel down the fluid lines depicts a serene street on Newark Avenue; outdoor table setting with a solo show is about to slatted table and chairs and open at the “A” building on a coffee pot and cups restWashington Blvd; he has a ing on the table. show opening at Tea New “I’m very influenced Jersey also on Newark Ave by the line,” Kirby says. in May; and another solo “That’s my main focal point.” show coming up where his Cont’d on page 5 Page 3-April 11th -April 28th, 2014 River View Observer
SKYWAY Con’t from page 2
The project, which began in 2012, started with the cleaning and examination of the current steel structure and also includes the rehabilitation of the Route 139 Hoboken and Conrail Viaducts that lead into the skyway, rehabilitation of the Kearny and Broadway (Jersey City) ramps to the Skyway, repairs to the steel, seismic retrofit of the substructure and painting of the
newly repaired steel. Department of Transportation Commissioner James Simpson spoke for a half-hour about the dire necessity for this phase of the project, and the various ways to deal with the additional traffic that will come into Jersey City from Newark and Kearny to connect to the Holland Tunnel as well as other parts of Hudson County, which they normally do by traveling across the skyway.
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Simpson pointed out that the Pulaski Skyway, built in 1932, has been rated “structurally deficit” by the federal government since 1983. The structurally deficient tag for a bridge, issued by the Federal Highway Administration in their National Bridge Inventory, means that while not in danger of collapse, it has structural defects that require attention immediately to prevent further deterioration. He also said that the fourlane, 3.5-mile structure is actually in worse condition that the I-35W Mississippi River Bridge in Minneapolis that collapsed in August 2007, killing 13 people and injuring 145. Simpson then said that while people will be frustrated by the closing of one-half of the Skyway, he said it was crucial that it had to be done as soon as possible to allow for around-the-clock construction work to remediate over 80 years of wear and tear. “Simply put, we’re out of
time,” Simpson said. “If we don’t do this now, we literally might wake up one morning and find ourselves facing an emergency closure of the entire bridge. In fact, we have had some emergency closures in the last couple of years.” He then said that the plan to cut down on vehicles that usually transverse the Skyway will involve increase mass transit options including additional service on three NJ Transit train lines during peak morning and evening hours, new bus service from a park-and-ride lot near Newark Airport to downtown Jersey City, new ferry service from southern New Jersey to Jersey City, and more PATH train departures from Newark Penn Station. Simpson added that those options will help to eliminate an estimated 9,600 cars during the AM rush. Also, alternate routes will be open for drivers to use such as the right shoulder on the I-78 New Jersey Turnpike Extension from Exits 14A to 14C and wider entrance ramps in Newark for the Route 1/9 Truck roadway to handle
more cars. Also, alternate routes will be open for drivers to use such as the right shoulder on the I-78 New Jersey Turnpike Extension from Exits 14 A to 14 C and wider entrance ramps in Newark for the Route 1/9 Truck roadway to handle more cars. And then there’s the traffic congestion measures implemented within Jersey City that will be enforced by 55 off-duty police officers paid for by the DOT. Those actions include AM turn restrictions throughout the city, and parking and stopping regulations on Communipaw Avenue from Route 440 to Grand Street and Grand Street and on Grand Street from Communipaw Avenue to Fairmount Avenue during weekday peak travel hours. Jersey City Mayor Fulop said that within the first two weeks of the Skyway lanes being closed, all the traffic difficulties will be worked out so that travel in and out of the city will be easier going forward. Cont’d on page 14
THE ZEN OF LINES
Artist Norman Kirby Creates and Connects with Lines, Paint and Sometimes Wire Cont’d from page 3 And although his line drawings seem to offer a serene simplicity, they are anything but simplistic.
my style so much; it’s hard to describe.” If you walk around Downtown Jersey City you can also view Kirby’s
Tea NJ by Artists Norman Kirby murals brightening up “I think a lot of my cement walls and drab work is abstract,” Kirby alleyways like the giant says when trying to pinCont’d on page 8 point his style. “I change
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ARTS EXPRESS
Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC) Opens Merseles Studios with Dance, Music, Drama and There’s More to Come! Cont’d from Cover “We want to build a performing and visual arts center to produce strong progressive works that tackle the issues of our times,” Levina says. “We are preserving historical identity and uniting community and together that improves the quality of life here in Jersey City. I wanted to help Jersey City artists express themselves and tell their stories.” On Sat, April 26 Merseles Studios debuts as a community performance space with a gala and showcase of four theater, music and dance pieces in PERSONAL &
UNIVERSAL. The show features local artists like blues musician Ladell Mclin and dancer/movement artist Myssi Robinson in EUGENE, a multidisciplinary exploration of spirit, music and movement. The duo recently debuted the piece at the Hudson County Women’s History Month program in the Brennan Court House in Jersey City. EUGENE, written by Mclin is based on his greatgrandmother who raised him in Chicago. The blues virtuoso hails from a musical family, his father and brother are drummers and his great-grandfather
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played trumpet with Billie Holliday. “I perform in theaters, concert halls, festivals -Jersey doesn’t produce that for us,” Mclin says. “We don’t even have a performance hall or a music venue– that’s very sad.” That’s why a new performance venue for artists is an exciting event, Maclin says, and he credits Levina for offering artists a comfortable place to create. “Olga is so connected to the arts; she makes us feel comfortable to present our art there,” Mclin says. “She recognizes good, fine art because she’s a fine artist herself.”
Summer Dawn Hortillosa Director/Wrtier/Actress
Also on the program for Merseles Studios’ premiere on April 26th are SO WHAT IF I LOVED YOU, a series of monologues about a woman haunted by memories of a previous lover written by and starring Summer Dawn; NEW MUSIC by Jersey Citybased singer/songwriter Kelly Saint Patrick;
and REQUIEM FOR THE MAIDEN by Natalia Vorozhbit, adapted for the stage and directed by Sergei Grabbe. This theater-piece explores the political conflict in Ukraine and is based on actual interviews with protestors and citizens affected by and involved with the ongoing social unrest. “This material is timely and universal,” Grabbe says after a morning of auditions in the theater space. A teacher and actor originally from the Ukraine and now residing in Bergen County, Grabbe reached out to Levina when he learned she and LoPiccolo were creating a new theater center. After the gala, all Cont’d on page 7
ARTS EXPRESS
Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC) Opens Merseles Studios with Dance, Music, Drama and There’s More to Come! Cont’d frompage 6 the performers will have their own run of shows at Merseles Studios as JCTC plans the new season. “We selected Personal & Universal as the theme of our first official event because it describes how artists give voice to a community,” Levina says. “We have talented artists from all disciplines living in Jersey City and a community that enthusiastically supports the arts. Merseles Studios is a place where
community and artists come together for a dialogue.” ARTISTS’ STUDIOS AND GALLERY Personal & Universal is also the debut of the Merseles Studio Gallery - a permanent art gallery showcasing regional and Jersey City artists. The opening exhibition is part of the event and is curated by Thomas John Carlson, Visual Arts Director of JCTC and founder of the Jersey City Arts School,
which offers classes in drawing, painting, photography – even glass-blowing. “This is an opportunity to give exposure to local artists and their work,” Carlson says. “The gallery will set the tone of quality and thought-provoking work that JCTC will bring to its multi-faceted art programming and future gallery events.” Artists interested in contacting Carlson regarding gallery submission
guidelines can reach him at merselesstudios@gmail.
PERFORMANCES FOR CHILDREN, TOO! Plays for children are
also on JCTCs schedule and on May 11th, JCTCKIDS presents Puppetworks, a company of marionettes from Brooklyn in a production of CINDERELLA playing at Merseles Studios every other Sunday through July. Shows will be at 12:30 and 2:30 pm. WHITE EAGLE, Cont’d on page 16
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THE ZEN OF LINES Cont’d from page 5
skunk on 5th Street between Monmouth & Coles; and a big turntable, and Mandala near the baseball field on Fourth Street. “I’m getting ready to do a new one on Fourth Street,” Kirby says. “I’ll be doing an abstract.” “I think you get to work on a really big scale. That’s the best part about it,” Kirby says. “And people can see them whenever they want. Murals make the neighborhood more interesting; and give it more depth. In some communities, muralists like Kirby and Ron English and others are called in to help revive a neighborhood. In fact, artists have a great influence on a community and can turn a band neighborhood into a great one. It happened in Hoboken and SoHo. “It happened in Brooklyn,” Kirby says. “People will follow artists. Artists can go
to these locations, live cheaply and build up a community.” And Although Kirby has never met Ron English; he did email him once and ask if he had any tips on street art. Kirby says: “He emailed back: ‘Don’t get caught’.” If you go: Norman Kirby’s
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work on view: Currently: New York Bagel Café & Deli, 217 Newark Ave Solo Show opens Fri, Apr. 18: Union Republic, 340 3rd St Show opens Thurs, May 1, 6-8 pm: Tea NJ, 262 Newark Ave Solo Show Opens Mon, May 5th, “A” Building, 389 Washington St For more info, contact Norman Kirby via Facebook.
&
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5K RACE/5K WALK FOR LIBERTY STATE PARK Registration 7:30-9:30 AM Begins at 10 AM Ages 12 & Up Trophies T-shirts for participants Strollers welcome
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For more information on the 5K WALK FOR LIBERTY please visit WWW.FOLSP.ORG Sponsored by the Hudson County Improvement Authority in collaboration with Liberty State Park and the Friends of Liberty State Park.
9 AM to 1 PM (Rain or shine)
Thomas A. DeGise County Executive
IMPORTANT:
A Federal Trade Commission survey revealed that 8.3 million Americans had been victims of identity theft. Properly disposing of personal documents is a necessary step in safeguarding and protecting your personal information and credit and preventing identity theft.
Remove large binder clips (staples and paper clips are okay) • No plastic binders Recycle magazines and non-confidential paper curbside • Residents only – no businesses In an effort to accommodate all those wishing to participate please limit your documents to no more than 40 lbs. Documents will be commercially shredded safely, privately and properly by trained, licensed and bonded document destruction specialists.
Hudson County residents are invited to have personal confidential and/or sensitive documents shredded at free, on-site, mobile paper-shredding events:
- Stephen R. Gregg Park in Bayonne 37th St. & Kennedy Blvd. Entrance (Bayonne Park) - Braddock Park in North Bergen Parking Lot - Use 79th St. & Bergenline Ave. Entrance - West Hudson Park in Kearny
Residents may bring documents in whatever type of container they wish. Participants may stay and watch the process if they wish.
Thomas A. DeGise County Executive
Parking Lot by Duck Pond
Norman Guerra Chief Executive Officer
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 201-324-6222 X3257 OR VISIT WWW.HCIA.ORG
YOUR IDENTITY... May 3 May 10 May 17
John L. Shinnick Chairman
John L. Shinnick Chairman
Norman Guerra Chief Executive Officer
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 201-324-6222 X3257 OR VISIT WWW.HCIA.ORG
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SKYWAY
Cont’d from page 4
“I am 100 percent confident that we will figure it out,” Fulop said. “Whenever there has been issues like this, you see residents and drivers
and government work together to solve those situations.” The city of Jersey City’s website, http://www.jerseycitynj.gov, has more information about the city’s traffic mitigation efforts pertaining
to the Pulaski Skyway closure. The DOT has set up a website, www.pulaskiskyway. com, where information about the Skyway rehab project is posted.
ART EXHIBIT MYSTERIES FROM WITHIN A Dual Show
If you’ve ever wondered what lies within a person, like yourself, then you’re still gonna have to wonder. Two mysterious artists in the forms of Bryan Elkins and Damien Mikzsa team-up for MYSTERIES FROM WITHIN. Work from these two fellas will probably end up with you wondering about a lot of other things, let alone what your insides are like. If You Go: Monday, April 21 •7pm-11pm Northern Soul 557 First Street Hoboken NJ www.northernsoulbar.com Drink specials, print deals TBA!
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BAYONNE HISTORICAL SOCIETY Leadership in Community Service Scholarship Commemorating Women of Achievement in Bayonne The Bayonne Historical Society is currently accepting applications for the Leadership in Community Service Scholarship program commemorating Women of Achievement in Bayonne. This scholarship is open to all accredited college/university bound registered high school seniors (male and female) attending Bayonne High School, Marist High School, St. Peter’s Preparatory School, St. Dominic Academy, Hudson County Schools of Technology (High Tech High School, County Preparatory, Academy of Architecture, etc.) or Hudson Catholic High School whose parent, grandparent or guardian is a member of the Bayonne Historical Society. Application packets citing criteria and instructions may be obtained in the schools listed above. A scholarship in the amount of $500.00 will be payable directly to the student’s college/university school account. All applications must be postmarked no later than May 9, 2014 and mailed to: Bayonne Historical Society Scholarship Committee Chair Mrs. Joan Hajducsek Rosen, Trustee P.O. Box 3034 Bayonne, New Jersey 07002 Candidates must demonstrate leadership through their contribution to the Bayonne Community. The 2014 scholarship recipient will be announced in mid May with the Award Ceremony at the Bayonne Historical Society Luncheon, Saturday, June 14 at noon. Anyone with questions regarding the scholarship may contact Scholarship Chair, Mrs. Joan Hajducsek Rosen at BayonneHistoricalScholarship@gmail.com. 201 401 6678
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ART EXPRESS Cont’d from page 7 POLISH MEETING HALL TO ROCK N ROLL
The larger JCTC project which is currently under construction is White Eagle Hall, a 400-seat theater/music hall which will present plays, concerts, dance, films and educational programs. It will also house two restaurants: Madame Claude owners Alice Troletto and Mattias Gustafsson will open Madame Claude Bis that will seat about 80 and Todd Abramson, formerly of Maxwell’s and now JCTCs music coordinator will wear the hat of restaurateur when he and his partners open the tentatively-named Bingo, a 200-seater that will serve American cuisine. Fallow since 2004 and built originally in the early 1900s as a place for local Polish immigrants to celebrate their heritage by a Polish priest of St. Anthony’s parish. It boasts two beautiful stained-glass windows in the ceiling, one depicting the likeness of Chopin, the other a portrait of opera singer Marcella Sembrich. After it stopped being a meeting hall, St. Mary’s basketball coach Bobby Hurley used it for his star-team’s practice sessions and throughout the years all the historic details became covered up in wood panels and dropped ceilings, LoPiccolo says. In the planning for the past three years to become a theater and performance space, White Eagle Hall is now in bare form, void of artifice and naked in its natural beauty: red-bricked walls, staircases and original iron balustrades screening a planned lounge upstairs. The floors are yet to be done but it’s easy to see LoPiccolo is paying close attention to every detail as he transforms the building into a
thriving performance space. “BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) and LaMama – that’s where we’re coming from,” Lo Piccolo says.
If you go: Sat, April 26; Doors open 6 pm; Reception precedes
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performance at 7 pm JCTC presents at Merseles Studios PERSONAL & UNIVERSAL 339 Newark Ave (2nd floor of Monaco Lock building) Jersey City
www.jctcenter.org Tix: $15; $20 at the door
Tell them you saw this story in the River View Observer and like us on Facebook www.facebook.com /riverviewobserver
restaurant Views 18 Taps, a Great Whiskey Selection and Upscale Comfort Food
Lot 13 Gives Bayonne New Hip By Sally Deering
J
ean and Charles Stewart first met at a bar; she was serving drinks at an establishment in the East Village and he was a member of the Coast Guard stationed in Bayonne out for a night on the town. The two fell in love, married and started a family and now they’re raising a son and building a new career as restaurateurs and owners of Lot 13 in Bayonne. Lot 13 opened in 2011 and both husband and wife share all the responsibilities of running a restaurant and busy bar.
“We do everything,” Jean says, taking a break after cooking dinner for five hungry patrons. “We manage the restaurant, we bartend and cook. We have 18 taps and a great whiskey collection – whiskey and craft beer we were originally going for. The kitchen is getting rolling and we’re getting more business. It’s all baby steps.” Jean describes the menu as upscale comfort food. “My husband is from Georgia, so we have a secret recipe for the rub for the pulled pork,” Jean says. “We have a smoker, too. We have fish and chips. Everything we do is fresh,
not frozen or pre-prepared.” Indeed, the reviews from patrons have been great. Nicole O. who lives on the waterfront posted this review on Yelp. com: “AWESOME place. I had the Lot 13 burger and it was the best burger ever. The beer list is great, something for everyone. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a good beer and burger.” Tom W. of Bayonne also wrote on Yelp.com: “I glanced at the tap options, not noticing the chalk board beer menu to the left of bar, with somewhere
between 10 and 14 draft selections, 6-10 can selections, and 15-20 bottle selections. I ordered a beer from the tap closest to me, a Goose Island IPA. The tap consisted of two Goose Islands, Allagash White, Dogfish Head 60, and another one or two decent crafts. Guinness, Stella, and Miller High Life rounded out the choices. The can and bottle options did include Budweiser and Coors Light, several Weyerbachers, some seasonal imports (Hofbrau
Oktoberfest among them), and other flavorful favorites among beerheads.” Sang B. of Jersey City posted: “I have only been here once but so far so good. I came here a Saturday afternoon - just passing by and hoping that it was not closed. I was really glad to see the open sign. Initially I was drawn to this bar because of the tap list. I had the Winter Solace on draft which was very good. My husband picked a few others and he said they were very good as well. Their menu was pretty good as well. I tried the wings, grass-fed burger, chicken Cont’d on page 18
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restaurant Views Cont’d from page 17 was very moist, and everything had enough salt to allow the beer to taste extra refreshing. We saw some people try the chicken cutlet sandwich also, which looked delicious.” “We have our neighborhood regulars, which is the backbone of our business and we have some bands and shows we put on that attract people further out,” Jean says. “Jersey City is close and the Light Rail is close to us. We’re on the corner of 18th and “E” and the Light Rail stops at 22nd, just a few blocks away.” Building a business while raising a new family can be tough and there are still details that need to be taken care of like a website for the business and business cards, too. In the meantime, Jean and Charles – everybody knows him as Chuck – are planning to add a brunch on weekends
“We love it,” Jean says. “It’s nice to run your own show. It’s rewarding and challenging. I like the cooking end of it. I like to see people enjoying it. Chuck and I are both petty outward and social.” and their growing hops for beer in their outdoor garden. “We could look into a brewer’s license, but we can also sell the hops,” Jean says. She could sell them to the NJ Beer Company, a local brewer whose beer flows from one of the Lot 13 taps. “We try to do a lot of New Jersey local stuff,” Jean says. “Our beef comes from a New Jersey farm.” And even though Chuck is from Georgia and Jean is from Natick, MA, she says they made the right move opening their business and starting a family in Bayonne.
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If you go: Lot 13 169 Ave “E” Bayonne (201) 535-5066 Hours: Mon-Thurs, 4 pm-2 am Fri, Sat, 11am – 3 am Sun, 11 am – 2 am Kitchen serves food until closing Lot 13 Photos from Yelp.com with permission from Lot 13 to use for this article
Chris Corner
117 West 2nd Street Bayonne, NJ Call 201-436-8181
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STARGAZINE
Aries March 21 - April 19 Our birthdays signal the beginning of our new year with the return of the Sun to the same position it was at our birth. Make a conscious effort to start this new season of opportunities with a clear head. Accept your shortcomings and vow to do better. Someone may tempt you with promises of greatness but it will be a deception. Come now, you are smarter than that and you won’t become an April Fool!! Taurus -April 20 - May 20
A Taurus Moon as we enter the month indicates that emotions are running high. Like a ticking time bomb you are ready to explode if just one more person says something stupid! Sit back relax and count to 10. Human nature being what it is you will have your full of dumb people making offhand remarks. Don’t take the bait! You are better than the old Bull you once were. Laugh and realize you have changed. Yay!
Gemini May 21 - June 20
Financial matters are highlighted with activity to the 2nd house of your solar chart. Does the word “save” mean anything to you? All Gemini’s have the ability to conserve and be thrifty. The astral advice suggests you begin some new habits. July is a month when you will have great opportunities to make a major purchase and with the greenbacks you put on the side now you could jump in and make an abundant move.
Cancer June 21-July 22nd
The astral advice suggests that you accept all opportunities to advance during this period. Put fear aside and take a leap of faith. The positive results might not be evident for another six months or so as sometimes the Jupiter effect is delayed but be sure that you can set up your future success with decisions made now. Go forth with confidence.
Leo-July 23 - August 22
Prepare Leo!! Right around your solar return Jupiter leaves Cancer and moves to the sign of the Lion. It stays overhead for a year and dispenses gifts wherever is indicated in the chart. It may be love or money or just a general feeling of wellbeing. However just be sure that ‘Happy days are here again!
Virgo-August 23-September 22
It may be time to remind you that to focus on those issues you don’t desire only brings them closer, as of the law of attraction. The astral advice suggests you contemplate the life you want and be specific! You will be able to manifest miracles if you only take control of the most powerful energy in the Universe, your mind. Think Venus and Jupiter thoughts!!
Libra – September 23 - October 22
Yes, you are light and airy and your favorite color is pink! You avoid conflict, and cry at sad movies but lest anyone forget you are a cardinal sign and when pushed can fight back. Someone has taken advantage of you for a long time. This month you give as good as you have received and then some. You are finally truthful and clear the air and you know what they say about truth?
Scorpio -
October 23rd -November 21st You are a survivor and have almost finished with this Saturn return. Although it leaves Scorpio in 2015 many have dealt with its lessons already and have become stronger. 7th house activity suggests you focus on relationships of all types. Develop a line of communication with loved ones and set new goals for your future. The aftermath of Saturn is wisdom and lack of fear. Nothing can frighten you now so use this newly found confidence to make the future bright. You deserve it.
April
2014
J Banta Lewis
Sagittarius-
November 22 - December 21 The Sag native at times attributes their character to others. Giving romantic and/or business partners the extreme benefit of the doubt without checking facts leaves one wide open for hurt. Romantic partners want to be desired and can be tempted if ignored. Some business partners will find it hard to resist if left with the moneybox wide open! So, as it has been said “trust but
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Capricorn -
December 22 - January 19 Activity to the 8th house governing other people’s money and inheritance among other things as we enter April’s tax season indicates a need for extra caution. Double check all forms and you will find some errors to be sure. Allowing for mistakes and using extra vigilance you may come out with a small financial windfall. It’s worth the work.
Aquarius-
Your sign is certainly the mother of invention. Resourceful and dynamic are code words for Aquarius in April. Making lemonade out of lemons? You will do better than that. You will make a citrus circus out of the peels. Given a chance to use your skills this month you will astound yourself. Observe your dreams and allow your ideas to grow. This is your time.
Pisces-
The astral advice suggests that you don’t poke the bear in April. Stories abound of persons tempting fate and living among wildlife successfully for years. One day the animal, true to it’s nature eats it’s master. Lay back and don’t interact with mean people as you will have lots to lose. Please follow this simple rule. In this world there are good people and bad people. Keep away from the bad!
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City of Bayonne Details Proposals for Developing Harbor Station South at Peninsula; City to Air Proposals on BAY-TV
Bayonne’s Mayor Mark A. Smith announced recently that, of the many developers who attended the City-sponsored development seminar back in November, the City initially has selected three proposals to explore further. The developers have submitted detailed expressions of interest in redeveloping Harbor Station South, a 57acre portion of the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor, the former Military Ocean Terminal. The proposals came in response to a request for expressions of interest (RFEI) that the City of Bayonne issued in December 2013. Mayor Smith said, “The development groups submitted an impressive array of proposals for the future of this prime waterfront area. When we announced the availability of the land in December, we sought exciting ideas from
developers who would share our enthusiasm for Bayonne’s future. Over 75 developers attended a development seminar in November. We are very optimistic about the responses that we have received.” Six developers submitted comprehensive proposals including ideas for retail development, hotels, convention and conference centers, offices, a media center/lecture hall, healthcare/assisted living, public spaces, potential ferry service, and an icon museum. Originally, developers faced a submission deadline of January 31, 2014 for Harbor Station South. In response to requests from developers for additional time, the City extended the deadline to February 29. The Harbor Station South District of the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor is situated on New York Bay, and offers
DeBartolo Development and Advance Realty: DeBartolo Development and Advance Realty submitted a proposal for 440,000 sq. ft. of retail businesses; 900 residential units and 100 townhomes; a hotel with 350-plus rooms; an 80,000 sq. ft. conference center; and public spaces. direct access to Route 440, the New Jersey Turnpike, the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, and the Cape Liberty Cruise Port. The area is in the southwestern corner of the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor. According to the 21-page
Request for an Expression of Interest (RFEI) issued in December 2013, the City of Bayonne “envisions the [Harbor Station South] District as a transit-oriented mixed-use development with a preference for retail and commercial
development that includes amenities that complement the adjacent Royal Caribbean cruiseport operations, such as a luxury hotel and supporting retail services.” The RFEI encouraged respondents “to propose any or all of the following: mid-rise residential, commercial office, neighborhood and destination retail, hospitality services, and related parking consistent with the goals.” Those goals include: realizing the market value of the land at its highest and best use; generating tax ratables that benefit the community as a whole; contributing to temporary and permanent job creation for City residents; creating a “destination” location for residents, visitors, and tourists in the region; developing complementary uses and services for existing development and operations Cont’d on page 22
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Developing Harbor Station South at Peninsula
The Bayonne Peninsula Ventures Group, a partnership between Bergstol Enterprises and the Cameron Group proposal calls for 547,474 sq.ft of retail businesses, two hotels residential developemnt and potential ferry service
Cont’d from page 20
on the Peninsula; and creating a vibrant, exciting community experience that will attract high-end commercial and retail interest and enhance services on the Peninsula and in the City The following is a summary of the six development groups and the proposals they submitted: 1.) The Bayonne Peninsula Ventures Group, a partnership between Bergstol Enterprises and the Cameron Group: The Bayonne Peninsula Ventures Group submitted a proposal that calls for 547,474 sq. ft. of retail businesses; two hotels;
residential development; and potential ferry service. 2.) The Waitex Group, whose principals include Waitex, Gaw Capital, the Nan Fung Group, and the Shui On Group: The Waitex Group’s plans include 440,337 square feet of retail space; a 900room luxury hotel and a 112,000 sq. ft. convention center; a 150-room Extended Stay Hotel; an icon museum; and a media center/ lecture
hall.
3.) JMF Properties and K. Hovnanian Homes: The submission from JMF Properties and K. Hovnanian includes Cont’d on page 23
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Developing Harbor Station South at Peninsula Cont’d from page 22 retail businesses; a hotel with 100-120 rooms; residential areas featuring 210 rentals, 136 stacked townhomes, and 60 condominiums; a healthcare/ assisted living facility; and public spaces. 4.) DeBartolo Development and Advance Realty: DeBartolo Development and Advance Realty submitted a proposal for 440,000 sq. ft. of retail businesses; 900 residential units and 100 townhomes; a hotel with 350-plus rooms; an 80,000 sq. ft. conference center; and public spaces. 5.) Somerset Development, LLC: Somerset Development, LLC has proposed 131,500 sq. ft. of retail/office development; 566 luxury rentals; and 241 townhomes. 6. The Richmond Company: The Richmond Company’s plans include 370,000 sq. ft. of retail businesses; a hotel with 150-200 rooms; 400-500
residential rental units; and public spaces.
Initially, three of the development groups were asked to prepare video presentations of their plans for showing on BAY-TV, the City of Bayonne’s cable station, which is on Cablevision Channel 78 and Verizon Fios Channel 42. Cable television viewers will be able to see videos made by the Bayonne Peninsula Ventures Group, the Waitex Group, and DeBartolo Development/Advance Realty. Videos will air continuously. The City of Bayonne plans to conduct interviews with selected developers, and will make a conditional designation for development later in the spring. Questions and comments on the development proposals are welcome via e-mail at HarborStationSouth@gmail.com.
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