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Originally Posted by citybooster
No doubt the project is not PHYSICALLY cut off from the neighborhoods, my problem is in their promotions it emphasizes everything residents need is within the confines of the neighborhood. Newport isn't physically cut off either, but for a long time the development acted like it was a separate entity. I hope this vibrant, exciting new neighborhood embraces the community... not takes it for granted, is in it but not part of it.
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Gotcha. I'm a big believer in mixed-use, and I think more communities should strive to provide everything needed rather than forcing residents to travel from one area to another. It reduces traffic congestion by reducing the amount of car trips that need to be made. But because it's not physically separated, there is still going to plenty of folks coming here (it's right next to the light rail stop) and going to other parts of Jersey City like Grove Street where most of the night life remains and New York City, of course. The difference is people aren't force to leave, but have the option to do so. People aren't physically excluded, but can simply walk over.
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As for the current look of the area going to be developed, that is going to be a very impressive transformation. That's going to be a spectacular effort in itself, especially in its environmentally all-sustainable energy sourcing. and infrastructure. I do think government should do much more and not place the onus squarely on companies regarding affordable housing, but developers shouldn't ignore it either. Not when development pushes rents and property values up higher than many can afford. It's done in other cities, even many of New York City's developments are embracing 20-30% affordable units on site.
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Honestly, renting in NYC sucks and the whole housing lottery process is ridiculous. There has got to be a better way. I would love to see a return to naturally affordable housing. For example, eliminating the R-1 zoning and allowing the construction of 2-4 unit townhomes in all parts of the city would do more for housing affordability than anything else. The problem is the NIMBYs will complaint about street parking. But can you imagine opening up tens of thousands of existing homes that the homeowner voluntarily can legally renovate into a 2 unit building. It will help pay the taxes and mortgage, and will offer housing solutions within the $1,000 a month range or less.
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Did you see "The Cottage" got approved by the Planning Board, btw? No affordables(of course) but still 669 units as the latest part of the Homestead project around Journal Square. It's really starting to come together there... one of the towers is built already! When, oh when are the other Kushners going to finally start One Journal Square, which last year they revived again and supposedly worked out their problems with Jersey City. Weren't they supposed to start by JUNE? Almost October now... and as you wrote, the third tower in Journal Squared is going to start construction soon this fall. They can do this, what's stopping the other Kushners from getting a move on? And God knows what will happen with the tower they had planned to be fronted by the current Jersey Journal building.
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Journal Square is going to be one of the coolest, most diverse and densely populated neighborhoods in North America. I did make it back to Jersey City a few months ago, and I can already see the positive changes happening. I hope the current truncated version of One Journal Square falls and we see something really special on that site.