The Jersey City Council passes two ordinances up for second reading to settle the 20-plus year legal battle over the 6th Street Embankment at last night’s meeting.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
“It will truly be a historic moment for Jersey City. With your approval, we can create acres of public space in Jersey City that we can all enjoy,” Embankment Preservation Coalition President Stephen Gucciardo declared.
“We can secure a piece of the East Coast Greenway. The settlement provides the transfer of certain blocks to create a continuous open space corridor. It ends 20 years of litigation and allows us to move forward.”
Gucciardo said there will be a park facility as part of the finished embankment, and the Roberto Clemente Field will be refurbished. He noted the deal includes development, which will include 30 affordable housing units built nearby.
Embankment Coalition Founder Maureen Crowley added that it’s a historic site whose preservation will help prevent flooding.
“We will be part of a movement that is gathering momentum across the country … Please make our vision a park,” she said to applause, adding that many organizations and people have helped them over 27 years.
Embankment Coalition Vice President Bethany Wall explained that many volunteers have helped them reach the goal over the years in different ways and asked them to support the ordinance to applause.
Activist Sean A Gallagher said it is one of the few urban forests in the world.
“Not that I’ve been up there,” he joked. “We must protect this national resource from future private interests,” he added.
“I can’t believe I was the Corporation Counsel 12 years and four months ago. And we were close back then. Maddeningly close. I give my full-throated support for this,” noted attorney Bill Matsikoudis.
Additionally, Historic Paulus Hook Association President Stephanie Daniels called it “a truly historic need” to protect the open green space, a sentiment that many other speakers echoed.
“Downtown Jersey City deserves this quiet, peaceful, natural greenway … We know how important urban green space is for our physical and mental health,” noted Ward E Councilwoman-elect Eleana Little.
Friends of Liberty State Park President Sam Pesin also applauded the settlement, while Jersey City Parks Coalition member Laura Skolar called the situation “a win-win.”
“The community’s decades-long vision… is finally on the brink of reality. Let’s bring it over the finish line,” added Bike JC Trustee Ayla Schermer said.
The developer, the Albanese Organization, has been part of the reason negotiations were so drawn out and messy and some residents felt the settlement should include more affordable units.
“I have pictures of trains on those tracks in the 1970s, I’d like to see someone publish it,” Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano said before voting yes.
“Tonight is a night of history. It deeply heartens me to see so many people from the community,” exclaimed Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh.
“It’s been an extraordinary effort against long odds: It’s not perfect, but ultimately moves the city in a significantly better direction,” noted Ward E Councilman James Solomon, who represents the area where the embankment is.
He added that the fight will continue to find the resources to open the park.
Council President Joyce Watterman noted there is a 30-year tax abatement as part of the deal despite some opposition.
“To get some projects done, you need a tax incentive. You need more than that to get this done,” she added, seeking to justify more affordable housing downtown, built using tax abatements.
City Clerk Sean Gallagher announced it was adopted unanimously (9-0) to cheers and a standing ovation from many audience members.
A separate ordinance on the 30-year tax abatement part of the embankment deal was criticized by Yvonne Balcer during public comment.
“Tax abatements rob those who have to pay their fair share,” she said.
“I think this is a bad deal,” activist Edward Perkins said, calling the amount of affordable housing as egregious.
“If we had leverage, then why was it necessary for us to bend over?” Natalie Limon asked.
“I feel the pain of the speakers … but I ask you to approve as part of a package that is absolutely necessary to settle the embankment litigation,” Crowley interjected.
Jersey City Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore asked if one ordinance could pass without the other for the deal to work.
“The settlement would go away,” Acting Corporation Counsel Brittany Murray argued.
Gilmore was curious about how much money in property taxes would be lost.
Murray said the Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) will gross $122 million while the conventional taxes would have been $213 million over 30 years.
“This deal could be better, but there is a need to move forward,” Ridley said.
Boggiano said taxpayers have paid millions for fees. However, he added that the benefits justify the abatement.
“This is definitely a hefty abatement … I’m going to vote eye just so we can turn a chapter,” Saleh said.
Solomon noted the compromise to end the very long fight justified it.
“I hate PILOTs in general. Somebody has to pay at the end of the day,” Gilmore said.
The measure ultimate passed 8-0 (1), with Watterman abstaining to applause.
