Six Jersey City mayoral hopefuls have varying visions on how to address housing and transit woes, according to the answers provided to a lengthy questionnaire issued by Better Blocks New Jersey.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Jersey City residents deserve to know how their next mayor will approach challenges around affordability, transportation, and public space,” Better Blocks NJ Co-Founder Eric Allen Conner said in a statement.
“We’re proud that every major candidate took part, and we encourage voters to read their answers in full.”
The 42-questions were answered by former Board of Education President Mussab Ali, Police Officer Christina Freeman, ex. Gov. Jim McGreevey, Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), Ward E Councilman James Solomon, and Council President Joyce Watterman.
Kalki Jayne Rose, who has not participated in any candidates forums or debates, was the only mayoral candidate on the ballot who did not answer the questionnaire.
On the topic of housing, everyone except Freeman agreed that more housing supply is needed.
Five candidates supported the 150 Bay Street proposal to add up to 1,000 apartments, 150 income-restricted units, and space for a new public school.
Last week, O’Dea came out in favor of the proposal and asked all the other candidates to do the same, as HCV first reported.
Solomon was the only candidate to oppose the project as presented, while McGreevey was the only candidate to support prohibiting backyard accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
All candidates backed mode shift to transit and biking, as well as Bus Rapid Transit on John F. Kennedy Boulevard, though their approaches varied.
O’Dea seemed to suggest other vehicles should be excluded from the bus lane only during peak traffic hours, while Ali stood out in expressing his support for BRT expansion in the Heights beyond Kennedy Boulevard, according to Allen Conner.
“Other candidates seemed to punt on taking action on city streets and panned the one-way conversion proposed by the city this summer,” he added.
All candidates support continuing Vision Zero, with all but Ali also backing a 20 mph citywide speed limit.
To that end, McGreevey proposed creating a city Department of Transportation to coordinate street and transit planning, while Solomon pushed for immediate infrastructure staffing and funding boosts.
Finally, on the topic of parks and plazas, all candidates pledged to invest more equitably in parks, the Newark Pedestrian Plaza, and to protect Liberty State Park.
McGreevey and Solomon committed to doubling the city’s tree canopy, while O’Dea focused on tree equity without setting a numeric goal.
Surveys of city council candidates will be released next week and Better Blocks will be announcing potential endorsements and releasing a voter guide shortly thereafter, Allen Connor noted.
All candidate responses to the Better Blocks questionnaire can be found here.
