The Jersey City Arts Council is emphatically backing the Centre Pompidou project, contending that the project can turn Journal Square into a tourist destination for the tri-state area.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“New development in the area is happening at a rapid pace, and the arts need to be a bold and integral part of this growth,” the six-member board of directors began in a statement.
“The addition of a renowned and collaborative art institution such as the Pompidou, with its proximity to the PATH terminal and newly renovated Loew’s Theatre, will not only help to revitalize this area as an arts district for Jersey City, but also has the potential to transform it into a tourist destination for the entire Tri-State region and beyond.”
The continued that the city can only reach their “full potential” if they find a way to be “culturally attractive” for reasons beyond being right across the river from New York City, asserting that the Pompidou would make the city “a launch-pad for economic expansion.”
The city council approved the first reading for a 30-year tax abatement for the KRE Group at 808 Pavonia Ave. one week ago by a vote of 6-2(1), with Ward E Councilman James Solomon and Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore voting no.
Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano choose to abstain.
The new location comes after the New Jersey Economic Development Authority yanked their support of the project in June, which Mayor Steven Fulop has repeated is because he switched his U.S. Senate endorsement from First Lady Tammy Murphy to U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-3).
The originally proposed location was at the Pathside building, located at 499-501 Summit Ave., with Fulop first explaining his new vision in an editorial for HCV published on September 6th before making a presentation at the September 8th council caucus.
Solomon has said he cannot support a long-term abatement with so many other pressing issues in the city, while Gilmore has expressed dissatisfaction with the city not releasing a full budget that includes projected revenues.
The Journal Square Community Association, who has not yet taken a position on the project, will host Fulop for a discussion on the topic on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Hudson County Community College (81 Sip Ave.) student center, which is on the second floor.