The Embattled Embankment
Sixth Street Embankment file photoThe Sixth Street Embankment, a target of preservationists and developers alike has had some problems in recent weeks. Yesterday chunks of the stone wall began falling from the section west of Erie Street. The fire department cordoned off the corner to protect pedestrians.
Several weeks earlier the embankment, the section of the Embankment at Marin Blvd caught fire.
The Sixth Street embankment once supported eight elevated rail lines connecting the Jersey City waterfront with rail cuts through the Palisades Cliffs and served as one of several conduits for goods coming and going from the port and industrial complexes along the river. The tracks have long since been abandoned.
In more recent years, developer Steve Hyman has been attempting to gain approval to construct housing either on top of the embankment or on the property after removing the structure. Local preservationists would like the embankment converted to an elevated park, similar to New York's High Line Park, now under construction and set to open this summer.
The main point of contention in the struggle has been an illegal sale of the property by Conrail to Hyman; railroad properties, particularly right of ways, must follow a specific process before being sold off as private property.
In addition to Hyman's plan to construct housing on the property, Mayor Healy has floated using the property for an extension of the light rail system, connecting the waterfront to the Secaucus Transfer station via the Bergen Arches. The plan would provide mass transit access to the Heights neighborhood.
In an attempt to appease Healy's administration, Hyman then floated a plan to construct both housing and a light rail line connected to Journal Square.
Preservation groups insist on building a park and no light rail line.
Labels: Hamilton Park, Harsimus Cove
6 Comments:
Ian,
Can you do some research into the new German Beer Hall opening the first week in May? Location, etc.
This website is great.
Preservationists have not opposed the light rail line. Both the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy and the Embankment Preservation Coalition are highly skeptical of the light rail line but are willing to entertain proposals that a) preserve the embankment and b) allow for public/park access.
Looks like it will be in Liberty Harbor - the address is: 88 Liberty View Drive at 285 Grand St.
http://www.zeppelinhall.com/
Jim, are you serious about that beer garden? That looks good to you? Like its going be a well run business? Its owned by the guy who owns Liberty Harbor! Its a giant vanity project, another restaurant run by non-restaurant people. God forbid the guy bring in an experienced operator, and benefit the neighborhood and himself by running a successful business. Instead, another case of a rich guy saying, "bars are easy.....". Sure they are. That's why 70% fail within the first 2 years. How is it that no one mentions the enormous proportion of TERRIBLY run businesses in the downtown area? The Green Cow, Triumph Restaurant, Portside Deli, Legal Grounds, just to name a few. While some of the named places may do a few things well, they all run there biz making decisions that would bankrupt them in 6 months across the water. Yet, the lack of good retail space over here minimizes competition and allows TERRIBLE businesses to not only survive, but thrive because there is nothing else. It is getting better, however. The new mini-grocery in the corner of Essex and Hudson is great. I will never go into the disgusting Portside Deli again! Back to my point however, its a shame that such a great opportunity for a business beneficial to the neighborhood will be wasted on another vanity project. And if that website is any indication, that place will be TERRIBLE and, unfortunately, they won't even know it......
I want to share my experience with Wong's Gourmet in Jersey City. I found a roach in my Chinese food that I ordered from Wong's Gourmet on Newark Ave. Check out the pics at http://wongsgourmet.blogspot.com/
According to the Liberty Harbor owners, Zeppelin's IS going to be run by experienced restauranteurs. The folks from the famed Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria are involved in the project at Liberty Harbor in JC. I have spoken with several people in Liberty Harbor and JC at large who are all excited about its addition to the neighbourhood. Can we get some love for new business in general? Anyone who takes the risk of opening a new business, especially a restaurant, in these times and in a developing area of town that is still building critical mass should really be applauded! I plan to show my support by sampling some of their "170 beers." See you there!
Post a Comment
<< Home