The Kindle Education Public Charter School, which opened on Communipaw Avenue in the fall, got the green light to move to 35 Journal Square, also known as 921 Bergen Ave., at last night’s Jersey City Planning Board meeting.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
At the beginning of the meeting, Darlene Green was sworn in for a new term as a planning board commissioner.
Afterwards, board attorney Santo Alampi said the board is reviewing a proposal for a school to go into an existing building, making it a Section 31 review, different from their usual hearings.
“We’re a new charter school that launched in Jersey City this year on Communipaw Avenue with a 6th grade. We’re looking to move this to the new facility in the fall,” Kindle Co-founder Katherine Hahn explained.
She explained they’re starting with 132 students in 6th and 7th graders, and then later adding an eighth grade later for a little under 200 students.
“We’re an intentionally diverse school. I know this sounds obvious in Jersey City,” Hahn added, noting that Journal Square is a more central location that can be reached easily.
“Do you have any parking? ”Commissioner Vidya Desai asked.
Hahn said there will be a paid parking lot, along with public transportation, to accomodate parents and students, though she also said many students come to school without their parents.
Commissioner Joey Torres sought to clarify that they’d be moving from Communipaw Avenue to 35 Journal Square, to which she said that is the plan (as opposed to opening a second location).
“Is this servicing the local community?” Board Chair Christopher Langston asked.
“We give preference to students in Jersey City. We have a couple from Bayonne right now,” Hahn replied.
Alampi explained they’re proposing retrofitting two floors of the building, which requires a review of the city’s Master Plan.
Architect Jason Chmura presented the ground floor plan, indicating that there would be a smaller metal sign on a two-story building.
“I want to make sure there’s no more external changes,” Langston stated.
“There are no proposed changes to the entrances, the sidewalk, or the masonry,” Chmura responded.
“The nature of the building, you’re taking two floors of this building. The rest of this building is a renter building? Or an office?” Torres asked.
“It’s a mixed-use building. There’s a gym. Most of the building is office space. A lot of it is vacant,” Chmura noted.
“What do you have to prevent students from traveling to different parts of the building?” Torres asked, to which Chmura said they would enter from the back in an exclusive entrance.
He further stated that the landlord of the building has proposed installing access control to keep students limited to school grounds.
“On the first floor, is there a door proposed to prevent the kids from traveling?” Langston asked.
“Not at this time. The landlord has agreed to dedicate one elevator to the school for student use,” Chmura answered.
Upon further questioning, he said there were no changes being proposed for any exits, while an elevator lobby on the third floor is included in their plans.
Chmura also said he couldn’t speak to operational questions such as a metal detector or security guard at the entrance.
“We’ll have security cameras throughout. We also plan to have a guest sign-in station in the lobby,” Hahn explained.
Planner Samuel Bellamy said it’s consistent with the Master Plan, allowing several different uses and promotion of Journal Square.
“We’re using former office floors for the charter school,” he noted.
“Has Historic Preservation (Commission) seen the sign you presented?” Langston asked.
“The review letter said it has to be reviewed by the HPC. We intend to comply,” Leibman said.
“In light of all the shootings, I’m talking about someone being posted, and then I’m talking about metal detectors for people coming in and out of the building. No one ever like considered having metal detectors? Or a posting security guard?” Green asked.
“As part of a Chapter 31 [basic] review, that’s kind of beyond the purview of what the board is here to decide,” Leibman replied.
He added there is a bank nearby there that has security that could buffer the school, while Hahn said they’d prefer not to use metal detectors since it creates anxiety among students. She was open about using a security guard if needed though.
“Planning staff recommends approval for voting in favor of comporting with the Master Plan,” Planner Cameron Black said.
“I’m happy to see this space is going to be utilized as a school. It’s more choices for students and parents as well,” Commissioner Vidya Gangadin, a former Jersey City Board of Education president, said before voting yes.
“I believe that was the first building I ever worked as a union sprinkler fitter as well. I do vote aye,” Langston said.
The Jersey City Planning Board approved the application unanimously (7-0).
Leibman noted that they need their planning board approval in writing for the New Jersey Department of Education, so they requesting that it was processed as soon as possible.
