Powerhouse Arts District Neighborhood Association Responses from At-Large Candidate Emilio DeLia GENERAL How do you see the PAD best contributing to Jersey City? I think the PAD can best contribute to Jersey City if the historical architecture of the area is preserved and artists are provided incentives to stay or relocate there. The PAD can be a vibrant location that people go to as a cultural destination, to enjoy fine art or just to have a good time. Also, with working artists in the community I see great potential to integrate them in some form of art education program. If these artists are forced to relocate to other areas this potential is lost. DEVELOPMENT Were you aware that Mayor Healy's administration radically amended the PAD redevelopment plan April, 2008 to accommodate the development goals of national homebuilder Toll Brothers despite overwhelming citizen outcry? Yes. The original PAD redevelopment plan was a great compromise which safeguarded the historical warehouses and the artist communities. The fact that this plan has been altered is another example of Jersey City politicians first serving those that donate to their political campaigns rather than the will of the community. Are you aware the extent of these amendments as listed below? (see original questionnaire for list) I knew the amendments drastically changed the initial agreement, yes. If you were elected to office what would you do about these amendments? I would push for amendments that would return the plan to what it was. I would do whatever possible as Councilman to go back to the original plan. What happened to all the good reasons that many members of the current administration cited when they initially approved the PAD redevelopment plan? Remember this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAsPOv6PQfY&feature=channel_page Currently there are four developments that have had final site plan approval since 2005. They have not broken ground despite there's being a major building boom at that time. It is widely supposed that the developers of these sites were waiting to see what Toll brothers" got" in order to then demand the same for themselves (elimination of affordable housing, greater density and height, demolition of warehouses). How will you address these developers? We need to stand firm and defend the components of the original PAD redevelopment plan. Let all parties involved know that the community will be served and that city government will not bend to the demands of developers or other special interests. Furthermore, I think if the vision of what the PAD can be is sufficiently communicated to developers they will be more inclined to stick to the original plan instead of trying to maximize short term gains. Present it as an overall vision for what the city can be and recruit them to help us turn that vision into reality. The original plan will make the area more attractive and more profitable for them. What steps will you take to ensure the Powerhouse is maintained and does not sink into further disrepair than it already has? Will you actively lobby for its development during your administration? If so, what steps will you take to secure the funding and consensus so that it is developed? I would actively lobby for its development. It would be a shame if the powerhouse fell into a state of disrepair such that people were calling for its demolition. One of the principles of the One Jersey City movement is to promote cooperation between various non profits and others working to improve our city. I think The Friends of the Loew's Theatre would be a great resource to provide expertise in restoring and saving older structures. Of course the challenges at the Powerhouse will be very different, but I am sure The Friends of the Loews have experience that we can use as an asset to ensure proper maintenance of the Powerhouse. In that vain, I would rely on the expertise of the folks at the Landmarks Conservancy to help us find available funding. I am sure that they are aware of a variety of grants and loans available for this kind of project. Furthermore, we could partner with private sector companies that may want to develop the Powerhouse as a retail or commercial space. I would advocate that part of the redesign be dedicated to public space. I do not see why the Powerhouse could not become a shining example of a successful public-private partnership that benefits the city as a whole and preserves a historical asset. Once the Port Authority has totally removed all of its equipment, we must have an open, transparent, and well-publicized public input period so that the community can have sufficient input on the future of the Powerhouse. QUALITY OF LIFE The Powerhouse Arts District currently has no street cleaning services from the city. In addition, there are many unoccupied warehouses and lots with private owners that are currently covered with trash (around the Butler Brothers Building, Manischewitz and Caputo Lots, lots on First Street) and graffiti. Currently we have individual members of our neighborhood organization calling owners to request they clean up; as a group, we organize neighborhood cleanups at least twice a year. Neither of these methods has proved satisfactory in keeping our neighborhood clean. What will you do to rectify these issues? There are municipal codes on the books that require properties to be properly cleaned and maintained. I would strongly encourage the proper enforcement of rules that are on the books. As taxpayers, you deserve to receive city services. This seems like a simple issue that can be resolved if we have people in power dedicated to serving the public instead of being mostly focused on maintaining power and awarding supporters and campaign contributors. After any heavy rain, the neighborhood is filled with the odors that emanate from the combined storm/sanitary sewer. Although the city constantly claims that there is adequate capacity in the system, it is not clear that this so. An additional problem with the sewers is the existence of hexavalent chromium which was used as fill under the sewer lines along Warren and Bay Streets. What would you do as mayor to address the concerns that the sewer system might not be adequate to support all of the new development, and the further concern that new development in the area will potentially expose, disturb, and spread a dangerous contaminant? Upgrading our aging infrastructure should have been a part of the overall development of the area. Unfortunately, this did not happen. We should therefore have a capital plan, shovel-ready, as this type of project would be eligible for economic stimulus funding. OPEN SPACE The Powerhouse Arts District has virtually no public parkland/open space. Do you support open space initiatives? How would you propose to bring more open space in to this district? I strongly support open space initiatives. Any open space provisions in the initial PAD Redevelopment plan must be maintained and protected. Also, I support a municipal open space tax that is dedicated to acquiring and improving open space. Do you support the use of the triangle adjacent to the Powerhouse as a public park? Absolutely. The 6th Street Embankment provides an opportunity to retain elements of Jersey City's industrial past, protect existing historic structures, as well as provide much needed green space and additional transportation alternatives in downtown Jersey City. Do you support the retention of the 6th Street Embankment from demolition? Do you support the Embankment's use as a public park? I definitely support the retention of the 6th St. embankment from demolition. I enjoy walking in the alleys next to the embankment and I love its hulking presence in the neighborhood. I think it makes the neighborhood unique and beautiful. As a resident of Jersey City I am extremely grateful to the Embankment Preservation Coalition for all their work in protecting it. If it is the will of the community to use it as a public park, than I support it. TRAFFIC AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION The traffic problem on Marin Boulevard is getting worse and worse. It is very difficult to make a turn onto Marin from the PAD, and crossing the street on foot is almost impossible. New construction slated in our neighborhood will add hundreds if not thousands of new residents with cars, yet the city is saying the traffic level on these streets is not even close to capacity. What will you do to make these streets less crowded and safer? Marin boulevard between the Shop Rite and 1st street could probably use another street light. I would encourage more use of public transportation and explore plans to discourage people from cutting through downtown Jersey City to get to the Holland Tunnel. Various plans have been proposed to better link downtown to Liberty State Park. Many residents have grave concerns about additional vehicular traffic attempting to bypass the Turnpike by using our residential streets as through streets to the Holland Tunnel. Do you support a pedestrian bridge between downtown to Liberty State Park? Do you support a vehicular bridge between downtown and Liberty State Park? I personally prefer the pedestrian footbridge that currently exists. But it is my understanding that a plan to have a bridge for vehicular traffic that connects downtown to LSP has already been approved. The commute via Path train has reached an alarming capacity. During business hour commuting, it is routine to wait while train after train passes, unable to absorb even one more body. Various stations are in need of upgrades. Do you agree that the PATH will be unable to support the additional proposed high rise building that will be added downtown? How do you propose to absorb the additional residents that will be moving in to downtown and commuting via PATH train? It's not just downtown. There is a massive development going up across the street from the PATH station in Harrison. Also, a large residential tower in Journal Square has been approved. One way to alleviate the crowds would be to have express PATH trains originating at Grove St. or Journal Square. I would advocate to the Port Authority for this. What is your position on the JERSEY CITY MOBILITY 2050 project? Do you think it will address its stated goal: "to create an action-oriented plan for a citywide transportation network that will be pedestrian friendly and reduce future traffic congestion?" I think the project can be improved by having benchmarks and goals. That way, the departments responsible for the plan's execution can be held accountable.