Jersey City Mayor James Solomon participated in an Arts and Culture Town Hall at the Pet Shop bar on the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza, discussing community spaces, noise ordinances, potential income and vacancy taxes, and much more.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
Arts event promoters Leslie Ogoe and Sasha Sano, of Dine and Vibe, hosted the town hall.
“Supporting art and culture is a cornerstone value of our administration,” Solomon began.
He noted he signed an executive order to cut parade and cultural event fees almost immediately after being sworn in this past January.
The mayor explained he supports the Arts and Cultural Trust Fund, which distributes grants to arts organizations, acknowledging that the administration decided not to put those funds towards the nine-figure budget deficit.
“There were calls for us to basically take that money and put it into the budget,” he recalled, but noted that they didn’t resort to that since a million dollars or so would not have made a huge difference and would have completely depleted the fund.
“There are so many empty spaces in the city. And there are so many people that want an opportunity to use that space. I think it would create something amazing,” Ogoe said.
He asked if the city could support the creation of art spaces and venues, to which Solomon replied that it’s difficult since the city’s land is valuable.
“We can support organizations that really do create those spaces,” he added.
Solomon also said they could connect them to potential brands and sponsors, such as Neighbor Studio in Bergen-Lafayette, which he cited to applause.
“We can try to create more city-owned community spaces. That has been a firm commitment of our administration,” Solomon declared.
He also stated that they want to create a community center in Journal Square, along with an arts and recreation center on the south side of the city.
Solomon said they were open to helping artists with potential spaces as well.
“If you let us know, we can try to be a little bit of a matchmaker,” he expressed.
Sano continued that despite Jersey City having a reputation as a bit of a party town, some residents still complaint about the night time noise. He then asked if it was possible to make changes to the local noise ordinance?
“We will let our folks know … this is not what we’re looking to do: We’re not trying to shut down businesses and culture,” Solomon asked.
A woman in the audience then asked if there was a way to balance business and culture with new residents who may not be used to living next to a bar or club.
“Yes, we can talk to the landlords, we can provide some basic education,” Solomon stated.
Ogoe said some residents like to play music outside while drinking in their backyard on the weekends, asking for clarity on what the balance is.
Solomon responded that, for example, many have complained about the Puerto Rican Day Parade, and in scenarios like that one, there isn’t much that can be done.
“Every year I get complaints, you gotta deal with it for one weekend. We can tell people in advance,” he asserted.
Another attendee said “McGinley Square has a lot, a lot of energy,” but a liquor license isn’t permitted there and stated that ordinance should be removed.
“I don’t see any reason why we should have an ordinance like that. We will do our outreach to make sure that there’s not something I’m not thinking of,” Solomon replied.
He criticized New Jersey’s liquor law, which limits licenses and makes them very expensive.
“We want to work with our legislators at the state level to get that changed,” the mayor asserted.
Later, Solomon said that City Hall is working on streamlining the process and lowering fees.
“We’re trying to revamp our whole [city] website. It’s three to six months down the road. We want to highlight all the great grassroots organizations and events,” Solomon added, further committing to getting rid of some of the red tape to open a new business.
When asked what the city was doing to bring bars, restaurants, and other entertainment venues like what they have on the pedestrian plaza, Solomon reiterated that they wanted to work with and encourage new businesses.
He further stated that they particularly want to encourage businesses to open on Ocean Avenue, along with integrating resources from the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC).
“It shouldn’t be on you as a small business owner to be an expert on government,” Solomon stated.
When another attendee asked if it would be more beneficial if corporate businesses like Trader Joe’s come on, Solomon said “we’re in a better place if we support our homegrown businesses” to applause, noting that a Trader Joe’s is already coming.
“What is the process for doing a city income tax that would pass the burden of funding the city … to those who can afford it the most through income taxes instead of property taxes?” a woman asked to applause.
Solomon said the state mandates an equal property tax rate on all owners, explaining a new bill would have to clear the state legislature to impose a city income tax.
“The state has crazy prohibition era alcohol laws and there are folks that are working on that, including myself,” interjected Assemblywoman Katie Brennan (D-32).
“Several of the council members have approached me and my colleagues at the state about progressive income taxes … We’re trying to figure that out now to make it possible.”
Towards the end of the roughly two-hour session, Solomon said the city is considering a vacancy tax to put pressure on property owners who consistely leave properties in disrepair.