The Jersey City Council approved an ordinance up for first reading to purchase the property at 128 Glenwood Ave. for $1.2 million to convert it into a pocket park with a community garden at last night’s over three-hour meeting.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
Assistant Business Administrator Kevin Lyons explained they were withdrawing the resolution to use Community Development Block Grant-Public Facilities (CDBD-PF) funds for purchase until the next meeting, when the purchasing ordinance will be on its second and final reading.
“We want all three pieces of this acquisition considered together. It will be reintroduced at the next meeting,” he noted.
During the vote, Ward C Councilman Tom Zuppa asked for a fact sheet on what CDBG funds can be used for and when, seeking a definitive timeline.
“I think it will be helpful when addressing concerns on 3.8 and the Glenwood acquisition,” he added.
The Jersey City Council passed it 7-0 with Ward E Councilwoman Eleana Little and Councilwoman at-Large Mamta Singh absent.
“I speak in support of Jersey City’s old new housing policy, luxury tomatoes!” activist Kevin Davis proclaimed sarcastically during public comment.
“The city may spend 1.2 million to buy 128 Glenwood. That would stop four homes from being built. Some people say we have a housing crisis. But some people say we need tomatoes too. You can’t put an apartment in a salad. Four families could live there. But those homes cannot complete a BLT.”
He claimed the property formerly cost $450,000 and now inexplicably nearly tripled in value.
“That’s a whole lotta cabbage. At this price … maybe they can grow marijuana too! I may need the whole harvest to trick my brain into believing was a good idea: Jersey City cannot solve the housing crisis with a salad,” Davis concluded.
Ivan Ovalle claimed the whole proposal was a conflict of interest because the leaders of the the McGinley Square Community Board are supporters of Mayor James Solomon, he also thought the concept was just a poor use of federal funds.
“We somehow have 1.2 million to spend on a lot smaller than a tennis court. We’ve been gaslighted to believe this is the only place in the city where we can deploy the CDBG funds,” he exclaimed.
“We already have struggling parks that need maintenance. Do not throw away money on a vanity garden,” Ovalle concluded to applause.
Nathan MacCormack was for the 128 Glenwood Ave. concept and noted hundreds have signed a petition supporting it.
“Instead of working with the community to preserve a 20-year community garden, Saint Peter’s told the lot to a developer along with several other lots. Thus, the McGinley Square Community board was formed,” he recalled.
MacCormack argued everyone from students to seniors could enjoy a garden in the urban environment. He also declared that former Mayor Steven Fulop said the idea was worth pursuing, but ultimately didn’t respond to the groups follow-ups.
“The same block of Glenwood is set to have 135 new units in the former Saint Peter’s dorms. We welcome the hundreds of units and residents,” he noted before concluding “save the garden” to applause.
Shirin MacCormack also explained she is part of a grassroots nonprofit that has been seeking to preserve the garden for three years as part of a park open to all.
She noted money spent on the garden could not be spent on housing due to the nature of CDBG-PF funds.
“Our community organization has advocated for housing for residents who we welcome to this block,” MacCormack noted.
“We support neighbors who were promised rec centers never delivered … Thank you for righting the ship.”
Robert Fu, a member of the same organization, echoed the points brought forth by the MacCormacks.
“You’re obsessing over four units when 135 units are going in on the block in the former St Peter’s dorms in a block that’s already unusually dense,” he said.
Fu said many in a low-income community garden in Newark have grown quality vegetables.
“The farm provides families with healthier, fresh-grown produce and varieties not typically found in stores,” Fu added.
Similarly, Natalie Limon said she was for the garden and noted it has widespread support.
“The community migrant garden is the only project that’s currently both eligible and ready to spend the money … A lot of vitriolic clickbait posts have framed this as an either-or issue … This money does come annually,” she declared.
Conversely, Billy Santomauro said they should instead spend the money instead on Lincoln Park drainage issues and other problems in the area.
“Before we acquire more land … we look around at what has been deferred and correct these broken items,” he stated.
