This is an offshoot of the thread dealing with I Made the Street of JC a Little Bit Safer. I thought we could all respond in a positive manner and this is my last post on that thread and my small example:

Okay, what I got out of the post wasn't that there was a needed pat on the back (but come on, I'll confess if you will that it feels good) but to encourage us to DO SOMETHING. Every thread on every blog I have ever read bitches and moans and few of them come up with a solution or even just a positive thought. Here is my small example: One day I was riding in a friends convertible and saw a big man snatch away an elderly guys cane and go to hit him with it. I jumped over the car door and ran to help. The big guy lowered the cane and the two of them said they were just pals joking around. The big guy asked me what I thought I was going to do anyway. I replied -- whatever I could. Follow your conscience guy and nobody can bother you about THAT. Please give an example even if you fed a stray cat :)

Okay, what I got out of the post wasn't that there was a needed pat on the back (but come on, I'll confess if you will that it feels good) but to encourage us to DO SOMETHING. Every thread on every blog I have ever read bitches and moans and few of them come up with a solution or even just a positive thought. That is why I posted my experience. Believe me I have a lot more but I hardly think of myself as Lochinvar, just at one point in my life I placed myself in a position to see worse things than I ever thought possible. Can we just celebrate good stuff and positive action? In fact i am starting a thread right now---GOOD STUFF I HAVE DONE OR ENCOURAGED. Please add your contributions to society, especially in JC :)

I think you did the right thing from the picture you have painted. I agree with your statement that if it came down to worrying about putting yourself at risk and doing the right thing i'd follow my conscience every time. Okay--i wouldn't go into a room full of machine gun toting angry dudes but....One day i was riding in a friends convertible and i saw a big man snatch away an elderly guys cane and go to hit him with it. I jumped over the car door and ran to help. the big guy lowered the cane and the two of them said they were just pals joking around. then the big guy asked me what i thought I was going to do anyway. i replied -- whatever i could. Follow your conscience guy and nobody can bother you about THAT.

As in the past the discussion about The Beacon has led to some interesting views on many topics. I am done with debating unless more misinformation gets put out there. And no matter what the results are on Sunday, I am staying. Where else would I go that doesn't have the same financial housing bubble burst? Might as well ride it out in style

I watch folk walk by at all times of the day and only some of the younger guys dress like that--and they are hardly thugs. My son lives in Manhattan and is white and dresses like that. I think it's a national uniform. Some of my neighbors wear 99 cent rubber flip flops. Watch out!!!! Anyway, this is an old argument even on other threads. I doubt I'll change your preconceived notions about people. I DO hope to change your notions about The Beacon and our positive contribution to the area. I am looking forward to M650 too.

The rumor is there may be a large grocery store by the new housing which will bring more revenue to JC and another incentive for homebuyers/renters to move here.

You didn't answer my question as to how you knew the people you saw walking around were questionable. Were they wearing plastic bags? Flipping you off? What? But now I don't care. I only go on about it because you keep coming up with stuff I disagree with. You can't deny that the area already has improved with the renovation, and continuing renovation of our buildings and soon to be open school and retail plaza.

Where are you getting your info? I also invite anyone who wants to stop by The Beacon to e-mail me at speakaboutit@yahoo.com. I love giving tours. As to the neighborhood-- I lived in the Queensbridge projects in Queens, NY and mostly only people who were looking for trouble got it. Most folk don't mess where they eat, and ones that do are quickly weeded out. Also--I am curious as to how you knew the people you saw walking around were questionable. Were they wearing plastic bags? Flipping you off? What?

And Wibbit the area already HAS improved with the renovation of our buildings and the next phase of 3,000-6,000 square foot lofts are underway. We have added to the local economy. The local stores and restaurants have also started to improve i.e. a bigger stock of blu-rays in the video store and select wines in the liquor store. They are even taking suggestions in presentation and decor to draw more customers.

They would be lucky to be a repeat of The Beacon but they can't. We are an historically preserved building with more amenities than any other building I have seen. AND our transportation is easy. We walk out the front door and get in the shuttle.

I don't trust any management and I am sure they are all ripping us off---however---I lived in The Galaxy Towers in Guttenberg which has some of the same amenities as here at The Beacon but all kind of old and faded, except for the pools. The maintenance for our one bedroom one and a half bath was $800.00 when we left five years ago so it must be $1,000.00 now. I moved into a big townhouse in Secaucus in Harmon Cove after that and the maintenance was only $500.00 which included two covered parking spots but the only amenity they had was an outdoor pool open three months. So all considered it works out about even.

Snapple--i was seriously just making an observation. I couldn't believe how high the other rents are that's all. Yeah, the rents at 77 Hudson are scary!

I have a one bedroom and pay less than $600 And NO OTHER BUILDING has the amenities we have. It is amazing here.

Wow! Looking at the rental prices The Beacon is a real deal. I am not sure but compared to the ones posted here up to $1,000 less.

I think many of the posts about the Beacon were mean spirited and that is hard not to respond to. And there over 200 units so it is hard not to like most of your neighbors. And we DID say what we liked about our home and that was responded to negatively as well. Like you say--we all have an opinion, some of us just express it with more respect--so that's that.

Wibbet--I am not defending anything, it does not hurt MY property values to have the buildings fully owned by other than the developer. And you have your facts wrong the auction prices are starting higher than that so they will sell for even higher. As to the price of units originally they were all different because of location, views, size, etc so your blanket statement is contrived.

GroovLStk- i was not crowing about it, i was defending my position to the detractors of my home. But now that i think about it, cock-a-doodle-doo!

Okay so you are saying that other buildings have the same problems, and all of Jersey and the country are having the same problems. I believe the economy is starting a slow more realistic upswing and have great hope for the future. As for now I have a lovely roof over my head and amenities to die for dahling. Life is good--knock on wood.

Our buildings ARE more than 75% owned and fully occupied that is why some folk are still in the units that are being auctioned. The dog run is still in a temporary space, and I don't think it looks bad at all. I think it is a draw for dog owners.

The ads for renting out units are mostly from owners who bought ten units at a time when the gettin' was good. They will always be renting out their units unless they get out of real estate. At this auction folk can only buy one unit. I was the first person to move in here two years ago and I have never been kicked out of anything or had a complaint filed against me, and it is not for lack of partying. I always treat others with respect and try to get to know them. I especially love the spring and summer when the roof deck is in full swing with groups of people grilling. I went out once to say hi to a neighbor, wound up getting fed and watered by eight different parties, they just all blended in together. I have a BLAST here!

Oh and JMCEE I hate scotch. You posted complaints on another thread so that is what I meant. No hard feelings I just love my turf

We didn't chase anyone out. The whole state of NJ and many other states are changing public housing from insulated, congested, and unattractive areas to pretty town houses that are less cramped as well. As to The Beacon these units are NOT at half price. The developer wants to sell them because he owns them, wearing both those hats means he also has to have someone manage the units for him. A lot of headaches and overhead. Makes sense to me. I also don't think any of what you wrote doesn't happen in all new developments. Whenever we get together and make suggestions the management really works to improve things. They redesigned the dog run, changed parking companies, changed shuttle hours, added a nail salon and deli, got rid of Chapman concierge, all from our requests.

JMCEE has trashed The Beacon before. These units are NOT at half price. The developer wants to sell them because he owns them, wearing both those hats means he also has to have someone manage the units for him. A lot of headaches and overhead. Makes sense to me. As far as not liking it here okay already, we get it from all your previous Beacon bashing, but it seems that discouraging others to buy here goes beyond into something personal. Whatever happened to you here, I also know you had good times with good people. I also don't think any of what you wrote doesn't happen in all new developments. Whenever we get togetjher and make suggestions the management really works to improve things. They redesigned the dog run, changed parking companies, changed shuttle hours, added a nail salon, got rid of Chapman concierge, all from our requests.

I think he has done good so far and he really supports the rejuvenation of JC!

What?! I live in The Beacon and we need to take a shuttle to get to Journal Square. How is that near us?

This really pisses me off! We should be able to drive what the hell we want wherever the hell we want to without worrying about this. Since the Bureau of Justice reports that the majority of car thefts (and most other crimes) are committed to get money for drugs we need to legalize drugs and get the addicts in a clinic. This would also greatly decrease the spread of diseases, overdoses and child neglect.

Hating on any group of people is what causes war and destruction. it also provides justification for committing crimes against them. The credit card companies and the others that have ripped us off for years did so because they think folk who don't take what they want or aren't rich are weak and/or stupid. It's easier to kill or rob someone if you think you have a justification for it. Please stop.

I know The beacon has been having wonderful open houses for sales and the rentals from owners have been going steady.

It is called The Beacon area because The Beacon is the largest historical redevelopment project in the US AND an extremely attractive place to live. The name of Montgomery Gardens sounds nice but does have a sketchy reputation.

I was discussing with my neighbors the quickie construction going on and there were a few folk in the profession who agree with you. That is why I appreciate living in The Beacon and other construction that involves saving some of the wonderful architecture of the past. They really just don't build 'em like that anymore.

Never had a problem and my hubby walks the dogs on Montgomery up until 11:30 p.m. Anyway, if folk are that squeamish (I will admit a certain contempt for folk who move somewhere they claim to be afraid of) they can stay inside the complex we have a deli and all the previously mentioned amenities and a valet brings us our cars.

AND I have lived in hoity toity locations where I wouldn't trust my neighbor or leave my door open for sure! People are the same everywhere they just dress nicer.

Hi all! This is the first lady of The Beacon--my hubby and I were the the first people to move in last July 19th. Haven't seen any posts lately so just want to update folk on the progress. First check out the Verizon commercial with the two little boys coming down the long shiny hallway and the verizon customer and network coming down from a hall on the side. Those beautiful shiny original hallways are the first floor of The Beacon. That is where you will also find our large deco theater and pool hall as well as poker room, library, and piano. Our first floor deck is now open and every weekend, and most weekdays, a bunch of us are out grilling and catching rays and at night gazing at the fire pit. The first weekend the deck was officially open our spa management team gave free bbqs with great vittles and refreshments. Also open are our incredible 18th and 19th floor observation/sun decks. Unbelievable views! Our concierge service has been open for two months, they p/u d/o dry cleaning and can get you services like cleaning, food shopping, private jets (yeah I am going to rent one this weekend, in my dreams). Every Tuesday there are free salsa lessons in the great room and the spa has a bunch of free exercise and yoga classes. They may begin free swimming lessons in the pool, though our jacuzzis are so big they could have some in them! The massage room is lovely, wish massages were free :) And the spa management also hosts monthly karoke nights with free refreshments. The next building they (Filopolous) are working on has a basketball court and a bowling alley. Lucky for us that mayor Hague had a unique take on what hospitals should be stocked with. So the Beacon continues to be the most lavish yet affordable lifestyle in the tri state area. Ciao for now.

Whew! Thanks for posting the answer to why some top schools were not listed. My daughter is in Stuyvesant and I almost fainted when I didn't see it on the list!

The Beacon was featured for historic preservation in "Our Vanishing Past" Monday, May 12th at 9:00 PM on NJN (Channel 23 in Jersey City). It will be re-broadcast on Saturday, May 17th, at 3:00 PM.