Rt 440 slated for further development… Lite Rail to be extended

Photo  of what the redeveloped area could look like so we will keep 4 Kissam na lang…

Redeveloping west side gets plan board backing

Friday, February 22, 2008
CHARLES HACK – JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

The Jersey City Planning Board unanimously voted Wednesday to make roughly 100 polluted acres on the city’s west side a redevelopment zone.The city has struck a deal with Morristown-based Honeywell International to clean and develop the chromium-tainted land.

Project designer Anton C. Nelessen, of A. Nelessen Associates, outlined the Bayfront I Redevelopment plan that would replace old industrial buildings, vacant land, a concrete plant and three city complexes with homes, shops, restaurants and offices along tree-lined streets with parks and a waterfront walkway.The plan calls for up to 8,100 residential units, 1 million square feet of office space, 600,000 square feet of retail space and 12,000 parking spaces.

Jersey City Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Bob Antonicello said negotiations have started with NJ Transit to extend the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail from the West Side Avenue Station to the area.

The development would include “green” buildings and a network of bicycle paths. Parking would be incorporated into the buildings, officials said.Two block-wide parks, listed on renderings as Central Park and the Promenade, would cross the width of the site from a new boulevard along Route 440 West to the waterfront, with space available for playgrounds, dog parks, ball courts, a grass amphitheater and other amenities.The development area stretches from Route 440 to the Hackensack River and from the northern edge of Society Hill at Kellogg Street to Culver Avenue.

Corporation Counsel Bill Matsikoudis said he received word that the state Department of Environmental Protection has approved Honeywell International’s remediation plan for the site.”This is really just the start,” said Ward A Councilman Michael Sottolano, who represents the area. “From what I have seen it will be a first-class community if it keeps in the direction it is going.”

DogWalk

With our daily walks with Neida at the PAD, this shot, post-snow, of her paw marks as she trails behind the pact leader, Pa Ulyos, is the best. 

War = Raw 2nd installation posted

at the Powerhause Arts District (aka PAD), my 2nd art piece is nailed on a wooden post across 140 Bay St. and Provost, Jersey City, NJ.

Happy 60th, Tita Norma!!!

@ Masaryk Towers in L.E.S. for Tita Norma’s 60th!!! 

Sayawan…

Dancing and model shots sa Retirement Party of 2 O.R. RNs of Jerse yCity Med Center (Manang Flor/Manang Nita) at Casino in the Park, Jersey City.  May you both enjoy your new non-working lives.

Some of the best shots this past month

Of course, the H-H at JK and Omar’s joint dinner at JK’s Riverdale apartment on January 19, 2008 

Ian’s 32nd Bday pixxx

Thanks to ALL for the bday greets and gifts, your presence and love. Of course, salamat sa Dios for the blessing, gift and grace of 32 years.

La Vespiras (the day before, 2/11)
Julius, with college bud, Leovy, JK + I had dinner at JOYA (Thai) in Brooklyn. It was a chance to visit the People’s Republic of Brooklyn since we also had to return luggage we bought at Smith St.

After dinner, we had drinks at gbar in Chelsea.

On 2/12, el mismo cumpleano, Julius and I used the massage gift certificates from our tenant at 4 Kissam, who own and run Sahana Spa in Montclair. By far, the best deep tissue massage ever. I will get same gift cert for clients/relatives, pohon. Sahana is slated to open at the Trump Plaza in downtown JC.

Then we had dinner at a nice Ethiopian restaurant in Montclair. As authentic as they get—eat with your hands and you put all the food in a soft bread or wrap, like lumpia wrapper. No pixxx from this but below is the gift-opening when we got home: cake and gifts with Papa Ulyos + Neida.

on 2/12, of course it snowed. It always snows on my bday. Past 2 years there was a snow storm. This is not a bad thing, a sign of prosperity.
Here is a trademark jump shot in front of the famed Jersey City Powerhaus by our area as the snow fell on my bday!

Did you know that the Powerhaus turned 100 years old on February 25th, 2008, according to JC Landmarks Concervancy?

Saturday Dinner with ex-colleague Bo + husband (Peter)

Sunday: un almuerzo con mi familia cercano al nuestro apartamento
On this very day, our summer Ikea orchid, which was near “withering heights” a couple of months ago, announced its revival with its yellow bloom that Sunday, the official start of Julius’ planned bday gigs for me. What a great gift!!!

Thanks Dwadseez and to auntie and uncle for the Sunday bday cake!!!

That same day, strong winds blew off the roof of Juan Ribon Company at the PAD. See the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy link above for more info.

From “The Impossible Will Take A Little While”

From BBC: The Australian government has announced it will issue its first formal apology to Aboriginal people when parliament resumes next month…reminds me of that movie of the Lost Generation of aboriginal children who were removed from their homes to learn the white ways. “Gracie” was the main character’s name…

When fear dictates what we say and do, democracy itself is imperiled. The antidote to such paralysis is hope—defiant, resilient, persistent hope, no matter what the odds against may be…Hope is believing in spite of the evidence, then watching the evidence change.-Paul Rogat Loeb**

Sunil is the founder of Blue Diamond Society, a social organization which fights for the rights of Sexual Minorities in Nepal. Many sexual minorities are repeatedly harassed, some are even killed by the Nepalese Government. Blue Diamond Society also creates awareness programs on HIV/AID prevention.

We also heart Vampire Weekend. J+I have been dancing to their Putomayoish and danceable tunes…

Postcards produced by yours truly to be distributed…

in downtown Jersey City. It asks: at what cost to human rights when it clashes with property rights. My way of pushing the question as downtown Jersey City skyscrapes…  

Our beta fish, Coolidge, “tubos” Julius…

Our beta fish died on February 1st, the same day Julius finally recovered from a week-long stomach bacteria that had him home-bound for seven days. Coolidge tubos or saved Papa Ulyos. In the Philippines, elders believe that when a pet passes, they are taking on your suffering and give up their life to save their master’s. We will miss you Coolidge.

 

We buried him with prayers and petitions at the empty lot in front of our building. (This is the lot that Toll Brothers is looking to build their condos on.)