77 Hudson Street

The two towers continue to receive windows. The exterior of the north side of the parking garage appears finished.


The facade of the rental component at 70 Greene Street, looking up from Greene Street. In the fading light of dusk, the variation of the glass color is more evident than in previous photos.

Zoning Board Delays on Boniface Conversion

The renovation of Saint Boniface from an abandoned Catholic Church into 21 residential apartments was dealt a setback when the zoning board delayed action until September. Local residents who are under the impression they live in Jersey Suburb rather than Jersey City are concerned about the lack of parking. Fliers from local activists have littered the streets around the church, including taped to trees.

The Harsimus Cove Association is hosting a special meeting to attempt to work out concerns residents have with the developer.

Deli, Not Grocery For Paulus Hook

Paulus Hook residents may be disappointed to learn that Liberty Towers will be getting something more like a deli rather than a grocery store, according to the Life Vicarious. Paulus Hook doesn't have much in the way of real grocery stores, not that other neighborhoods are much better off considering the underwhelming PathMark and Shoprite.

American Watercolor Movement Grooves on Grove

Groove on Grove Street continued with indie rock band American Watercolor Movement. Wednesday proved another gorgeous day for an outdoor concert and local crowds seem to be growing. Grove Street may not be Mccarren Pool, but the concerts in Jersey City may be just a bit more genuine.

Shopping Carts Infest Downtown

Shopping carts from discount retailer BJ's Wholesale Club have begun littering downtown Jersey City. Its not just bag ladies either; the carts are rumored to have appeared in the hallways of new luxury apartment towers.

So far, neither BJ's nor the city have done much in the way of cracking down on the abandoned carts. One solution the city could implement is simply fining BJ's Wholesale Club for every cart found around the city. The retailer would probably quickly figure out a way to keep their carts on their lot.


A BJ's cart is tucked beside a motorcycle on Wayne Street


Outside of Grove Pointe, a cart lurks filled with plastic bags


Columbus Drive


Columbus Drive and Marin Blvd

UPDATE

Found another one in the Italian Village, First Street.


UPDATE 2

Newark Avenue Parking Lot

Second Street. This is the nearest to BJ's of any of the carts, at just two blocks away. Also, someone was brown-bagging it and left their bottle in the cart.

Condos Approved for St. Boniface

Saint Boniface, formerly a Catholic church, will be converted into 14 apartments, as noted by Jersey City Reader. The historic preservation commission has granted approval for the conversion, a necessary step in the protected neighborhood.

A total of 21 units will be built on the property, including 3 in the rectory, and four more in a lot on second Street. All the units will share a common courtyard.

The church is on First Street between Jersey Avenue and Erie Street.


The rear of the church is attached to parking lot that connects to Second Street. The lot will be removed and a new building erected. Some residents are concerned that the neighborhood will be short on parking, but apartments make better neighbors than parking lots or garages.


Another angle of the parking lot




The historic preservation commission was concerned about the loss of the stained glass windows, though vandals and time have already done their part







The rectory building adjacent to the church will also be converted to apartments

Liberty Harbor North Continues, Slowly

Progress at the massive Liberty Harbor North project continues at a snail's pace. Rumors are circulating that only the existing construction will continue, and new buildings will not break ground for at least a year. This news may disappoint many hoping for a downtown Whole Foods since an Liberty Harbor was often mentioned as a potential location for the gourmet grocer.



Building 3 continues to grow, albeit at an extremely slow pace. To the right, the Lofts rental tower. The lofts building still needs finishes.

296 Grand Street

Diner to be Supersized

The Brownstone Diner, a downtown eatery featured a few months back on the Food Network, is preparing for massive expansion. The two story renovation is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2008, according to their website. The diner only finished its most recent renovation three years ago, though long lines plague the establishment. The rendering shows a double story design with a balcony and turrets.

New Construction on Jersey Avenue

An empty lot where Christmas Trees were once sold has a new foundation. The corner lot at Jersey Avenue and First Street, just off Newark Avenue, has sat empty for years. But the chain link fence will soon be replaced by a new structure as a foundation has already been laid.