Final Plans Up for Vote - Tues 7/11

SciTech Scity's Scholars Village

500 Luxury Units with 0% Affordable Housing

Friday, July 7, 2023

Greetings Good People,

Before city council or any governing body takes a vote, we hold a public hearing. This portion of the meeting is the most important part because it's when you, the constituent get to have your concerns heard. It's when you get to advocate for inclusion, fight for what's right, and ensure no one group or demographic is underserved or unfairly represented.

On Tuesday, July 11th, Jersey City's Planning Board will hear final development plans for SciTech Scity's "Scholar's Village," a 12-story building with ground floor retail boasting 500 luxury apartments on city-donated property; needless to say, this has been a very controversial project.

SciTech Scity is being built on 12.5 acres of land donated by Jersey City, and we will also contribute $2 million a year for the next 30 years towards the operation of Liberty Science Center High School, a county school.

Tuesday's hearing may be the last chance local residents' opinions are considered before final plan approval; our last chance to ensure this project specifically benefits the people of Jersey City.

Join us Tuesday at 5:30 pm via Zoom: us02web.zoom.us/j/86162443723

Additionally, on Wednesday, July 12th, Jersey City's Councilmembers will vote on R-1 Changes which will affect a majority of the city's 1-2 family residential communities, allowing accessory dwelling units along with legalizing 3rd unit basement and garage apartments.

Phase 1 of Master Plan Implementation (Ordinance 22-084) has been in effect since November 2022. Phase 2 was approved by the Planning Board on June 13, 2023. View the recording of the Feb 1st community meeting and additional information here.

The city council agenda may also include two amendments related to cannabis operations throughout the city. We'll know for sure when the agenda is published today after at 3pm. We'll review the agenda items in detail on Saturday with you via Zoom.

I encourage you to review the proposed plans, spread the news, and share your thoughts. Participate.

Be great on purpose,

Councilman Frank Educational Gilmore

Follow @EverythingWardF on Instagram and Facebook for live interactions!

Learn more at www.EverythingWardF.com.

#EverythingWardF #ThePeoplesWardF #WardFJC

“Power concedes nothing without a demand.

It never did and it never will.”

– Frederick Douglass

Changes to the parking permit process are official. No more stickers! Head to jcnj.org/parking for a quick and easy online process. Need more info? Call 201-547-5538.

Jersey City's budget, initially $697,509,540.10 when approved upon introduction in May, is now an additional $3,870,489 with temporary appropriations approved at the last council meeting. That's still down fromlast year's $24.8 million budget, but we are looking at 2% tax increase.

Budget documents are available via Google Drive for your review. Click to see how your tax dollars are being spent. Videos of the Jersey City's Budget Hearings are also available on YouTube.

June 1, 2023 - Finance, Library, Law, Tax Assessor, Rec & Youth
June 5, 2023 - Administration
June 6, 2023 - Public Safety
June 7, 2023 - Infrastructure, City Clerk & DPW
June 8, 2023 - Human Resources

Join us as we dissect and discuss items listed on the city council agenda.

The Ward F Community Caucus is your opportunity to provide feedback on items the City Council will soon vote on BEFORE they speak with presenters at the city's official Caucus. Learn more at EverythingWardF.com/caucus.

In case you haven’t already heard, Right to Counsel JC JC has WON!

Jersey City is now the 21st jurisdiction guaranteeing legal counsel to tenants in housing court. Winning the Right to Counsel is just the beginning of what working class power in Jersey City can do.

The question is, what’s next?

Join the RTC Victory Party this Friday at 7PM at McGinley Square Pub

to raise a glass to this win and to many more to come! RSVP at actionnetwork.org/events/rtc-victory-party/.

Learn more about RTC at www.righttocounseljc.org.

CALLING ALL NEIGHBORS & VENDORS!

The Friends of Berry Lane Park invite you to rummage through your attic, clean out that basement, and make space in your closets to find new or gently used items that no longer bring your joy. You never know who might place value on the things you'd like to discard. Let our shoppers decide if it's "Trash or Treasure" at the Friends of Berry Lane Park Flea Market!

All proceeds will benefit the Friends of Berry Lane Park’s general operating budget to cover costs for future events and programs.