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From: Your Name <you@example.com>
To: mayorhealy@jcnj.org,mariano@jcnj.org,brennanp@jcnj.org,floodw@jcnj.org,sottolanom@jcnj.org,spinellom@jcnj.org,bgaughan@hudsoncountynj.org,fulops@jcnj.org,richardsonv@jcnj.org
Subject: Stop the Madness! Save the Powerhouse Arts District!
Dear City Council member,
I am another voice against the wholesale destruction of the Powerhouse Arts District Redevelopment Plan at the hands of Pennsylvania-based Toll Bros.
Let's be clear here: Toll Bros, a national developer, is in the business of maximizing profits. In a breathtaking act of hubris, Toll is asking you to amend the existing law so that they can build close to an ADDITIONAL 1,000,000 square feet, double the square footage that they are allowed to build under current law. Toll NEVER made any effort to follow the underlying law before asking for sweeping changes. Toll has proceeded with no regard to the scale, texture, and viability of the existing neighborhood. In exchange for Toll doubling their profits, what do the citizens of Jersey City get?:
- Destruction of three historic warehouses, warehouses that not only represent the proud industrial history of Jersey City, but also represent the type of building stock in which lively entertainment and arts districts thrive.
- Elimination of required affordable housing units in exchange for "ancillary theater space".
- Elimination of a public, historic cobblestone street -- to be appropriated by this private development.
- Reduction of required open space by half.
For the citizens of Jersey City, the numbers just don't add up.
You may be thinking of supporting the Toll Bros scheme because the +/-400 additional apartments will translate into additional "ratables". What does this say about Jersey City? It says that in pursuit of a quick buck, the City doesn't care about the quality of life of its current residents. It says that the City doesn't care about the existing physical context in which development occurs. It says that the City doesn't care about its diversity or historic legacy. It says the law has no meaning here. It says the City is for sale.
What you must understand is that the Powerhouse Arts District, if allowed to develop as set forth in the redevelopment plan as it now stands, will raise ratables throughout Jersey City. I implore you not to throw away such a unique and valuable asset in exchange for yet more gated communities in the form of "luxury condo high-rises".
Sadly, if you are among the group seriously considering Toll's proposals, you are already responsible for bringing development in the PAD to a screeching halt. If the City stood strong behind the current law, the result of years of research and broad citizen participation, more than 500 apartments would currently be under construction and coming on-line - and onto the tax roles - in the next year or so.
As the ULI report states, "The district represents an opportunity for Jersey City to build on its historical roots, its ethnic and cultural diversity, and the competitive advantages it has over its neighbors to the east."
I strongly urge you to resist the temptations of short-term gain and the pressures of a wealthy out-of-town developer. Stand strong and proud for the long term vision that the Powerhouse Arts District, as historic warehouse-based, arts-centric, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood can bring to all of Jersey City.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Organization
123 Your St.
Yousville, YO 12345
Phone: (123)456-7890
Fax: (123)456-7890x123
p.s.
Your Personal Statement
--
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Report abuse to abuse@citizenspeak.org [1176]
To: mayorhealy@jcnj.org,mariano@jcnj.org,brennanp@jcnj.org,floodw@jcnj.org,sottolanom@jcnj.org,spinellom@jcnj.org,bgaughan@hudsoncountynj.org,fulops@jcnj.org,richardsonv@jcnj.org
Subject: Stop the Madness! Save the Powerhouse Arts District!
Dear City Council member,
I am another voice against the wholesale destruction of the Powerhouse Arts District Redevelopment Plan at the hands of Pennsylvania-based Toll Bros.
Let's be clear here: Toll Bros, a national developer, is in the business of maximizing profits. In a breathtaking act of hubris, Toll is asking you to amend the existing law so that they can build close to an ADDITIONAL 1,000,000 square feet, double the square footage that they are allowed to build under current law. Toll NEVER made any effort to follow the underlying law before asking for sweeping changes. Toll has proceeded with no regard to the scale, texture, and viability of the existing neighborhood. In exchange for Toll doubling their profits, what do the citizens of Jersey City get?:
- Destruction of three historic warehouses, warehouses that not only represent the proud industrial history of Jersey City, but also represent the type of building stock in which lively entertainment and arts districts thrive.
- Elimination of required affordable housing units in exchange for "ancillary theater space".
- Elimination of a public, historic cobblestone street -- to be appropriated by this private development.
- Reduction of required open space by half.
For the citizens of Jersey City, the numbers just don't add up.
You may be thinking of supporting the Toll Bros scheme because the +/-400 additional apartments will translate into additional "ratables". What does this say about Jersey City? It says that in pursuit of a quick buck, the City doesn't care about the quality of life of its current residents. It says that the City doesn't care about the existing physical context in which development occurs. It says that the City doesn't care about its diversity or historic legacy. It says the law has no meaning here. It says the City is for sale.
What you must understand is that the Powerhouse Arts District, if allowed to develop as set forth in the redevelopment plan as it now stands, will raise ratables throughout Jersey City. I implore you not to throw away such a unique and valuable asset in exchange for yet more gated communities in the form of "luxury condo high-rises".
Sadly, if you are among the group seriously considering Toll's proposals, you are already responsible for bringing development in the PAD to a screeching halt. If the City stood strong behind the current law, the result of years of research and broad citizen participation, more than 500 apartments would currently be under construction and coming on-line - and onto the tax roles - in the next year or so.
As the ULI report states, "The district represents an opportunity for Jersey City to build on its historical roots, its ethnic and cultural diversity, and the competitive advantages it has over its neighbors to the east."
I strongly urge you to resist the temptations of short-term gain and the pressures of a wealthy out-of-town developer. Stand strong and proud for the long term vision that the Powerhouse Arts District, as historic warehouse-based, arts-centric, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood can bring to all of Jersey City.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Organization
123 Your St.
Yousville, YO 12345
Phone: (123)456-7890
Fax: (123)456-7890x123
p.s.
Your Personal Statement
--
Delivered by CitizenSpeak!
Report abuse to abuse@citizenspeak.org [1176]
