Dear supporters,

We greatly appreciate your support through your signatures and insightful comments, enabling our voices to be heard. This petition was initially circulated by members from the Mandalay community due to our significant concerns with the proposed Pier 6 project, which, as currently proposed, will be detrimental to our community.  Multiple communities of other neighboring buildings, such as Portofino, Crystal Point, A Condo share the same concerns and we have joined together to establish a coalition with the primary purpose of changing the Pier 6 project so that it does not negatively impact, but rather is beneficial to the community and the public at large.  Our coalition of communities have been in communication with City Planning and other entities that have authority to drive change as well as the Pier 6 developer. Here are some updates on these efforts:

o       Our communities met with representatives of the Pier 6 developer, LeFrak. In spite of the fact that the developer made last- minute logistics changes, approximately 245 participants attended a Zoom meeting on April 19th. The meeting included several high level representatives from the LeFrak organization.

o   The community raised concerns that the project as currently planned significantly impedes the surrounding communities as it would eliminate the available open space and disrupt the general public’s enjoyment of the waterfront. The current design is a congested concrete jungle with no open green space and the tallest tower being at the edge of the pier, negatively impacting the surrounding buildings. The community suggested that the design could be much more community-friendly if it consisted of fewer buildings, in descending order, with the tallest building at the back of pier, and ample open useful green space at the front by the water. The community stated that the Newport Redevelopment Plan emphasizes open green space and waterfront recreation. It also advises that there should be “a decrease in scale and density as development moves toward the waterfront”. The current application is not in alignment with this guidance. The community also talked about the infrastructure challenges that would be exacerbated by a project of this scope that would bring thousands of additional residents, including crowded trains and lacking schools, as well as the noise and air pollution, both of which will be destructive to our quality of life.

o   It is our understanding that the developer is seeking Planning Board approval of two variances which would further exacerbate our concerns. One variance requests the approval to build three structures on one lot, where only one structure is allowed per the Harsimus Redevelopment Plan. The other variance requests a decreased number of yards to construct buildings in closer proximity to the edge of the pier and thus narrowing the public walkways. The communities requested that the applicant considers and incorporates the community’s concerns and suggestions into their plans before seeking approval by the Planning Board. It was also requested that this proposal be given a special Planning Board meeting due to the overwhelming public interest and concerns. The date for the special Planning Board meeting is to be determined.  The community also requested an open line of communication and transparency moving forward.

A Facebook page and Group and Twitter accounts have been created that focus on Pier 6 concerns and enable Jersey City residents to continue to speak up. Please share these links with your friends and be sure to share your thoughts. We will use these platforms to share information about upcoming meetings with call-in information and calls to action.

Link to Facebook Group: Oppose Destructive Construction on Pier 6:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/192919472646293

Link to Twitter account: Oppose Destructive Construction on Pier 6 

https://twitter.com/Residents_Speak

We look forward to continue to working together with all of you, as well as the Pier 6 developer, City Planning, NJDEP, and other organizations to create something that is beneficial to the city we love; will improve, rather than harm, quality of life of Jersey residents; and will be constructive to our environment.