Jersey City Is The New London: Nanny State To Share Closed Circuit TV Cameras

If you've ever had the feeling like you're being watched, chances are you have, by closed circuit television systems. Jersey City is now working with NJ Transit to share access to cameras along the light rail line, according to the Jersey Journal. Oh, and just in case you think more CCTV make you safer, think again. London, the most watched city in the world, has recently discovered that higher density CCTV cameras don't necessarily correlate to lower crime rates. Here's looking at you kid.

Trouble in Paradise Montgomery Greene

Montgomery-Greene, a recently completed condominium tower on the corner of, where else, Montgomery and Greene seems to be having some issues, or so claims one angry resident. MGProblems.com has launched by a reported resident alleging serious problems with a leaky roof and the refusal by the tower's management to fix the problem.

Back in February, before the building had even opened, we noticed part of the facade was already crumbling -- evidenced here, so we wouldn't be surprised if the allegations are true. As was pointed out on JCList, new home buyers have some protections thanks to The State of New Jersey.

Merrill Considers Jersey City

According to the NYPost, Merrill Lynch may expand facilities in Jersey City. This might very well be a bit of blustering to convince New York officials they deserve the same tax subsidies handed out to Goldman Sachs. On the other hand, Merrill already has offices on this side of the Hudson River, and building in Jersey City is faster and cheaper than Manhattan.

Merrill's interest in Jersey City along with last month's news that Jersey City's Office Market has tightened will likely mean new office buildings sprouting up next year. In recent years, the booming residential market meant most of Jersey City's new construction focused on residential towers; sites like 77 Hudson Street, originally planned as an office tower, is now under construction as luxury condos. Rumors have been circulating that several large residential projects may be on hold while the financial world sorts out the credit problems; hopefully renewed interest in Jersey City's office market will keep the city growing.

Get Your Trees On

If you've been wondering how to get a shade tree in front of your house, now's your chance. Jersey City is offering tree plantings for $50, but the deadline for this year is September 28th. Details and forms are available online Here

Via JCList

Times Gives Grove Pointe, Columbus Plaza Reach Around

Sunday's times has a bit on the developers of Grove Pointe and Columbus Tower, both of which opened their rental units in the past few weeks. It seems Grove Pointe is asking for higher rents, with studios starting at $1800-- at Columbus they start at $1600.

Mayor Healy "But our entire city is a mass-transit utopia...it is much easier to get to Manhattan from here than from any of the four boroughs — and that is the most important reason why we are a successful city." Sure, but with 1,000 new apartments opening this month and another 5,000 on the way we have to wonder how often Healy rides the PATH at Rush Hour.

Columbus Tower Open

Columbus Tower is officially open for business, reports Real Deal. The 400 rental units in 50 Columbus is the first of three towers at Colmbus Plaza.

Downtown Cries for Voice in Government

Admit it, you probably didn't vote in the last election. Maybe you didn't even know when the last election was. If you stayed home on election day, then you're probably like a lot of downtown residents. Other wards in Jersey City have a much higher percentage of folks who turn out to vote on election day -- which might explain why City Hall pays more attention to neighborhoods west of the turnpike.

The Historic Paulus Hook Association is attempting to change all that with a new a website and voter registration drive. JCVote.org has all the information you need in order to register to vote. And if you have some time on your hands, they're also looking for volunteers to help register new voters at various locations around the downtown. Vote early, and vote often.

Construction Disrupts Light Rail Weekend Service

Light rail service between Newport and Harsimus Cove will be suspended on weekends until the middle of October, reports the Jersey Journal. This is most likely connected with construction on the Westin Hotel Tower on the corner of Washington and Sixth Street, though not confirmed.

Starbucks Confirmed By Real Deal?

The Real Deal has a piece on Newark Avenue's redevelopment, noting Grove Pointe as an anchor for change. More importantly, the article sort of confirms the long rumored coming of a new Starbucks in the base of the new tower.

The article also notes that Treetop Development is the new owner of 215 Newark Avenue. The property long had an approved project, but was also for sale. Speculation the property had sold was fueled last month when the development group went before the planning board to change the original plans. Renderings of the new building can be seen on Treetop's Website under current projects, listed as 213 Newark Avenue. Treetop is also responsible for 154 Steuben Street, recently branded as Ivy House.

NJ Transit to Build Bridge to Newport

A lynchpin component of the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway will be built by NJ Transit, reports Hoboken411. The bridge will connect Newport and Hoboken sometime in the Spring of 2009, with the Lefrak Organization building a temporary extension between the bridge and permanent walkway.

Final Proposal for Waterfront Views Released

Larry Silverstein released the final designs for World Trade 2,3, and 4, important to Jersey City waterfront residents since that will be their view in another 2 to 5 years. Curbed has the renderings, including Tower 2, Tower 3, and Tower 4.

Museum Madness

The Courier Post has a short fluff piece discussing the Liberty Science Center makeover. In case you missed it, the 22 month long expansion nearly doubling the museum finished up this summer and the museum reopened.

Meanwhile, over at the Jersey City Museum, PR-GB.com reports on a performance of Tortilla Heaven staring Jade Esteban Estrada, as part of Hispanic Heritage Month.

And in case neither of those interest you, Friday is JC First Fridays with art, performance, and retail events planned throughout the downtown.

MTA Launches Interstate Bus Service

Staten Islanders now have an MTA provided link to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Line via the Bayonne Bridge, reports SILive.com. The route replaces a similar one operated by Coach USA. The bus line is the MTA's first interstate service. We think in principle this is a step in the right direction-- after all, we're proponents of extending the future Second Avenue subway line to Staten Island's defunct North Shore Line via Jersey City and Bayonne, a route essentially mirrored by the combination bus, light rail, and PATH connections. Time will tell if ridership reaches the hoped for 1,200 per day.

Bits & Briefs

You live where?
The Financial Times of London jumps on the Jersey City bandwagon; Staten Island Jealous, Wonders Where London Is.

Credit crash creates a boon
"We have 3,000 units in the pipeline in Jersey City, spread out among five projects, and they are all rental."

Skinner's Loft to Open Wednesday!?
Or Not. We'll see.