The Jersey City Council heard more Portside Towers complaints air more grievances against building owner Equity Residential during the public portion at last night’s meeting, which had a relatively uneventful agenda.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
Tenants at the downtown complex have complained about a lack of rent control enforcement since November 2022 and although the rent leveling board ruled in their favor in October, they have since filed a lawsuit to get the ruling enforced.
Portside Towers East Tenant Association President Kevin Weller said he’s met with former Gov. Jim McGreevey and is meeting with Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), who are running for mayor. He also said he and his neighbors will play a big role in the 2025 election.
“I’ve even been asked to run for mayor. The tenants of Portside Towers will choose our next mayor … We did see a letter from the city’s outside counsel about discussing litigation here. I of course agree she should not do that,” he began.
“That letter very narrowly defined what should not be done. They did not, however, endorse refusing to read the law. If tenants or landlords are harmed in part because Brittany Murray is actively engaging in concealment of what should offer protection to renters and constructive notice to landlords, there may be unintended liability.”
He claimed they are conducting their own investigation.
“Initiate an investigation into the LTO, Landlord Tenant Office. Please don’t look the other way,” Jessica Brann stated.
“I’m worried there’s a perception we’re affluent complainers,” Rhiannon McElwee said.
She claimed Portside Towers on the downtown waterfront was initially an affordable building, which remained true through 2020, continuing that she is a teacher who likes living close to work and spends nearly half her income on rent.
“Equity has gouged its tenants. Equity is making a mockery of the rent control board decision and the city council and everyone else here. They don’t think anything will ever be done. Prove them wrong,” McElwee concluded.
“Equity has never been sanctioned by Jersey City for any illegal rent increases to data. Equity wants you to believe they’re the victim,” Tasha Sethi noted.
Sethi said they raised rents based on a digital algorithm that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating and that filing a federal lawsuit was the only recourse they had to move this matter forward.
“Portside is still increasing rents illegally,” Daniel Feldman exclaimed.
“Equity was even allowed to submit a partially filed form on paper despite electronic filing as mandatory,” Danilo Kirschner said during his public remarks.
He said the city initially was on their side, but then the former head of the Landlord Tenant Office, Dinah Hendon, left and was replaced by Pastor Shyrone Richardson.
“A subject matter expert was replaced with a pastor with no experience whatsoever,” Kirschner argued.
He also declared that city contract were to developers’ shell companies in return for donating to Mayor Steven Fulop’s campaign for governor, though he didn’t cite any specific examples at the podium.
“[Council] President [Joyce] Watterman, start the investigation you promised us eight weeks ago,” he declared.
Drew Kochanowski also called for an investigation, claiming that the governing body had an “ethical obligation” to do so.
“Are we … asking for help in the right place? Is it possible we’re wrong, and it’s not the proper way? Is this your job? If you’re not in the position to help, let us know who is,” Shannon Rae declared.
“We’ve given you proof. We’ve asked for your help, and we’re still here waiting. We’re fed up with coming. I don’t want to be doing this. What else do we need to put in front of you?” Mel Wilson asked.
Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh said they would need to see something in writing before they could do much to assist the tenants.
“Compile all of the documents of the legitimate increases, the letters, the leases, all the information. I don’t know if you’ve sent them to the Landlord Tenant Office. If you have not sent them, send them to them and CC myself and your councilman … so we can follow up,” he replied.
“We need evidence. We need something to work with. I sympathize with you.”
Wilson said they had followed the process to a tee and was offended this was the first time anyone on the council had asked for documentation, to which Saleh said they couldn’t do much until after the rent leveling board ruling.
“Four months later,” Wilson replied. “We’ll make sure you have it.”
“Yes please,” Saleh said. “We want to help you.”
Portside Towers West President Michele Hirsch noted the city’s credit had been downgraded recently in part for being $27 million in debt, placing the blame on Fulop and Business Administrator John Metro.
“It should be child’s play to beef up our coffers. Each day a violation continues, it constitutes a separate offense. Why not put financial pressure on the offending landlords? she asked.
“This is a lot. I’m not an attorney and I don’t know what’s going on here. This is taking way too long. Next time we’re here, I’m going to stand out there with you guys and hold those signs up,” Councilman-at-Large Daniel Rivera said to applause.
If the council won’t help folks living in luxury real estate downtown, imagine how residents in truly depressed parts of town must be suffering. Gonna be at least 9 more candidates to choose from next year. I guess that’s when they’ll see some action. No sense doing anything now when the headlines will be forgotten.