Powerhouse Arts District Neighborhood Association Responses from Ward E Candidate Steven Fulop GENERAL How do you see the PAD best contributing to Jersey City? The PAD is vital for the long term stability and future of not only Ward "E" but the entire Jersey City. The PAD presents a unique opportunity for Jersey City to revitalize an existing warehouse district into a destination for culture and the arts that can be used by all residents and be a destination within the greater NJ. My voting record on the council speaks to my belief regarding the opportunity that the PAD presents. I have been a staunch supporter of the original plan without the amendments that were approved by the council and supported by the mayor 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. I am aware of the change and I was not a supporter of the amendments to the plan as proposed by the current administration. Are you aware the extent of these amendments as listed below? (see original questionnaire for list) Yes, I am aware of the changes in detail as I have been working closely with the community over the last four years. If you were elected to office what would you do about these amendments? Over the next four years I will continue to be a responsible voice for honest open government and continue to be a vote that the community and members of PADNA can rely upon to support their interests as opposed to being a rubber stamp for anyone's agenda that is not in the best interest of the community. 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? Going forward, I believe that the city needs to take a strong approach to its existing zoning and respect the policies that have been put in place. I will be a vocal voice and a vote that the integrity of the zoning that was originally intended is met to protect the residents and the community that can live and enjoy the PAD plan. 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 have and will continue to be a councilmember in support of the powerhouse restoration. I have been an advocate for securing the triangle property adjacent as open space which seems like the likely conclusion as well as working towards securing funding to make sure that the Powerhouse does not fall into a worst state. My record on the council is clear as an advocate for restoration and my actions over the next four years will continue to be in this direction. 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? This is an issue that the existing model that the city has tried to use has not worked. It is necessary to put the stake holders in a room together to make sure that this is met. In my first term the attempt to correct this was unilateral via reaching out the JCIA. It is clear to me that the city, JCIA, and owners need to partners in making sure this gets corrected. It will be a priority for me to address. 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? Over my first term I worked with the JCMUA to move the first sewer master plan to completion. In the past year, as a result of these efforts the MUA has started work on areas of downtown to improve the issue of flooding and our aging sewer system. The contaminants in the soil is an issue that was recently brought to my attention via members of PADNA. This is not an issue unique to PADNA as there are other community groups in the city that are experiencing real concerns over contaminants in their area. I will be an advocate and voice for the STRICTEST clean up measures. In addition, I will look to link the different community groups throughout the city that share this common concern so that the administration will act. 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? YES. I was the only councilmember on record pushing for this property to remain as open space Do you support the use of the triangle adjacent to the Powerhouse as a public park? YES 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? Yes. My record on this is without blemish as an advocate for preservation of the embankment and its use as open space. I have not only been the most vocal advocate at every point for support legislatively, but I was also the only councilmember to publicly write a petition to the Surface Transportation Board in support of the Embankment, I was the only councilmember to proactively sponsor legislation via the state checklist process to protect the Embankment (that the developer fought in court at a cost of $250k), and I have been the only councilmember to NEVER take a contribution from the developer that is pursuing demolition of the embankment (or any of his associates/family) 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? I have put in the request for two new traffic lights on Marin blvd to slow the traffic, to make the area safer, and to be less inviting for the cut-through traffic that is headed to the Holland Tunnel. The city has started the process that will head to Trenton to have these lights installed. This was a direct response to my work with PADNA and concerned residents. The process is not one that happens overnight as the approval is delivered from Trenton but it is certainly in motion. In addition, recognizing the traffic issues are a concern I have been working towards the exit 14d option of the turnpike that seems like a realistic opportunity pending some final studies from the Turnpike Authority. Initial projections are that this will alleviate thousands of cars per day that cut through our neighborhoods. This will have a direct impact in benefitting the residents of the PAD and all of downtown but it needs to be done with community input as to not affect the historic neighborhoods 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? The Mayor is committed to vehicular access. I have been the councilperson that has worked with the Friends of Liberty State Park, the Board of Education (many schools that will be impacted by traffic) , as well as the DCNA to make sure that any installation or design of a road is done in a pedestrian friendly, sustainable, and least inviting manner for speeding cut through traffic. In addition to make sure that when the contract is awarded it is not done in a political backroom way but via an open process with an experienced firm. I believe we have made strides forward on this but coupled with some of the other initiatives on traffic I am hopeful that the end result will be a better access point into the park, the repaired sewage line underneath the current bridge, and a solution that will not increase traffic 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? I have been the only voice on the council advocating for increased PATH service and station upgrade. It is largely via our office's effort via the Port Authority and signing petitions with support of more than 1000 residents that we were able to secure funding for the Grove Street PATH elevator (ADA compliant renovation), as well as a study for a current second entrance to the Newport PATH. Over the next four years it will be crucial to be an advocate for increased night time and weekend PATH service 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?" My position has been that this is an important undertaking in order to have Jersey City become not only a sustainable city but a destination city for the region. I am hopeful to have another four years working with the members of PADNA and thank you for this open process of soliciting feedback on important issues to Ward "E" and the entire city