revised 5/11/2003
2003--- Congrats to the 6th Street Embankment Coalition members for getting the embankment on the State & Jersey City's registers of Historic Sites.....
Mayor Glenn Cunningham announced that $750,000 of the city's capital funds would be set aside for new streetscape and restoration of the embankment for use as a passive recreation area for the city's residents.
History under Schundler......
In Downtown, activists in the Hamilton Park area fought the
Schundler administration against tearing down the Historic 6th Street Railroad Embankment to build cookie cutter
homes by a favored Schundler developer/contributor. Although there never was an adopted
redevelopment plan or designated developer (except in the minds of the city
administration) the developer in waiting was sitting down with city reps. molding the
proposed redevelopment plan. Faced with a hastily written 6th Street
Redevelopment Plan,
local residents composed their own alternative.
They asked that the city first consult with the
state historic preservation office on the status and eligibility of the rail embankment
for the State and National Registers. In essence, first determine if it was an historic
resource. If not, then consider replacement alternatives. Instead, the city hired planning
and architectural consultants (to the tune of $60,000) to "prove" the embankment
wasn't historic. When it was discovered that the city had not approached the state for a
determination of eligibility, the activists filed a preliminary application seeking a
determination of eligibility. The state issued an opinion that the embankment was
eligible. The city's consultants continued to plan their replacement housing. The activists submitted a formal nomination to the state, which was
heard by their board of outside experts. The city's hired consultants argued against
designation at the meeting. The state board unanimously recommended designation, which
advice was accepted by the DEP Commissioner.
Lesson-- While Schundler hasn't "been able" to spend much on historic
preservation, like the "Apple Tree House", he was
able to spend quite a bit against it when it suited his purposes. Some of the
money spent by Schundler "studying" the embankment was, according to the now HED
director, federal monies. The resultant study was used to oppose the
preservation of a structure recognized as National Register eligible.
Jersey City probably set some sort of record in this curious interpretation of the federal
Historic Preservation Act. The community envisions sorely needed
passive activity parkland around the embankment.
The above was written by a Harsimus Cove resident.
Note: The Apple Tree referenced above was purchased by the City in August 1999, from Provident Savings Bank, for $450,000. The Apple Tree is located on Academy Street in the Journal Square area is a pre-Revolutionary War landmark. "The house name comes from a 1779 meeting between then-Gen. George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. Under the apple tree in front of the house, they discussed Revolutionary War strategy. Now its significance is concealed by its squalid appearance. Tom Gallagher, the mayor's Chief of Staff, said the city bought the building to save it-- which he insists has been done."
(JJ article "HUDSON LANDMARK ROTS… One year after Schundler restoration pledge, Apple Tree House condition worsens" by Michael Morgan 8/4/2000)
Activists are in the process of applying for grant money to restore the house….
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