One of the lots should be a municipal parking lot. It would bring in revenue and alleviate the already difficult parking situation. Even freaking Montclair has a municipal lot! What major city doesn't?

Given the fact that a landlord can earn much more from AirBNB rentals than traditional tenants, it seems to me that you will see fewer and fewer long term rentals available, especially in the Downtown. While this is good for property owners who will see the value of their buildings go up, this may not be so good for the community. I fear that the renters on my block who I've become friends with, will be forced out. Watch out for the rolling suitcases.

JKim. Thanks so much for creating the visuals.

For those of you who couldn't make last night's meeting, the developer claimed that the project will not be economically feasible if they can't build it as proposed. However, when pressed, they wouldn't deny that the eventual price of the underlying Del Forno property is pegged to the approvals they get. It would seem to many of us that if the Silvermans can consistently build profitably while respecting the character of the neighborhoods they're in, so too should BNE be able to.

Dear DAllen,

You're completely wrong as to the chronology and the reason why prepared food took over the farmer's market. When Two Boots opened, it was truly a farmers market (much like those in NYC). The sale of prepared foods took off AFTER we opened and as a result of a budget shortfall at the HDSID. The HDSID didn't bring in food trucks and lobster roll purveyors because the community wanted it, they needed cash. It's that simple.

And, BTW, if you want pasta, we now have Pasta Dal Coure and Carrino Provisions - both of which are excellent. You should support them.

I'm sure if you were to ask most people "what the community wants" they'd tell you "strong local brick and mortar businesses who hire, invest and pay taxes in the community."

Hondo. Call Victor at FPV. He's working on my place right now and highly recommended by others. (201) 758-1882 or (201) 993-3064.

No one banned them! They are still around. However, they now seem to be following the law that was on the books way before the restaurants complained. See Section 175-10 of the Municipal Code if you don't believe me.

As I've repeated so many, many times, I, and all the other restaurants embrace FAIR competition. But no one should be getting government subsidies so that they can compete UNFAIRLY with other businesses who don't.

Dear JC"Man". I would love to know where this vitriol comes from. Please accept my invite to out yourself and vent over a beer in a public place. I'll pay. (BTW, I fully disclosed the parking in my initial post. As to my address, it's irrelevant. I've supported similar efforts no where near my house and was prompted to post on JClist by my neighbors. See nextdoor.com)

Now. Back to the issue.

I am also pro-development. I've been in JC for close to 20 years and have seen how much it has helped.

I'm also happy that a quality developer (BNE) is behind the project. I've met with them twice and was impressed. 7 stories or 18 stories, the building will increase my house's value. I'll no longer look at an ugly parking lot. Finally, as someone mentioned, the density will be great for Newark Ave. businesses.

So what could be bad? Height. Van Vorst Park has a character. Newport has a character. Basically, I support efforts to maintain the character of our neighborhood. I like living in a neighborhood more akin to the West Village than the Upper East Side. If we keep throwing out redevelopment plans, we will have no planning.

Dear Kiddo/Whoever You Are,

Your comment is as ignorant as it is offensive.

First, as I've pointed out before, but I'll reiterate again, Two Boots Pizza has no problem with competition. We have more competition than any restaurant in JC. Are you familiar with Porta? And, have you ever heard a complaint from me? Of course not. I welcome competition. What I and 20 other restaurants complained about was the HDSID and City providing a massive rent subsidy to a group of vendors at the Farmer's Market who were thus able to compete with us unfairly. We pay market rent. They didn't. If you can't understand this basic question of fairness and public policy, there's little else I can say. That's the last I'll say about this issue.

As to your other offensive insinuation, I own no tower but live next door.

So returning to the subject...

Dear Neighbors:

A developer has proposed a gargantuan, 18 story building for the corner of Barrow and Christopher Columbus. (Only seven stories are currently allowed.) This building will contain approximately 143 units (probably rental) and a mere 56 parking spaces. It will be almost three times taller than any building along Columbus west of Grove Street. If built, this project will fundamentally change the character of Christopher Columbus Drive and Van Vorst Park, clog our already crowded streets with more traffic, and make our difficult parking situation untenable. Moreover, it will set a dangerous precedent going forward.

You can have your voice heard by coming to the Barrow Mansion on Tuesday, May19th at 7:00 p.m. when the developer makes its presentation. Councilwoman Candice Osborne will be there to take your questions and hear your concerns.

Thanks,
Aaron and Liz Morrill

Banners. Posters. Signage.

Can anyone recommend a good graphic artist, preferably freelance? Multiple suggestions welcome!

Does anyone know any local entertainers for kids such as clowns or magicians? Or anything else?

Terrible news! Great home-cooked food. A real loss to the downtown.

Thanks. I managed to get the artist to paint a replacement for me. This time I'll have to nail it down. :)

Dora:

Hope you enjoy:

1. The high cost of housing
2. Your microscopic living space
3. The incessant noise
4. Not knowing a single person on your block
5. Not knowing a single elected representative
6. Living in what has essentially become a playground for investment bankers and the international super-rich (as opposed to the artists and immigrants that once made Manhattan a wellspring of creativity).

Having said that, the entertainment options beat JC hands down. But how much will you really use them? If you're like most people, not that much.

Au revoir!

So long low rents!
http://www.businessinsider.com/why-ev ... ive-in-jersey-city-2013-7

I had the pleasure of doing business with Natasha. She was always kind and considerate (not a small feat in the NY metro business world). A lovely person whose passing makes the world a poorer place. Here's to Natasha!

Funny quote from Michelle Rodriguez

http://www.businessinsider.com/michel ... st-and-the-furious-2013-5

It's not about "caring" about NYC. It's about the fact that JC is as integrated into the culture and economy of the NY metro area as Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx or Staten Island. We should demand that we are covered in newspapers that purport to cover the NY metro area. If the WSJ can do it, the Times can. While you may be willing to secede from NYC, I think most of us are not.

Nice letter Bogart!

Exactly. It's not a question of needing validation. I wouldn't live here if I needed that. It's really about the the Times recognizing that JC and NJ more broadly are a huge part of their market, which they now underserve. (I'd note that WNYC does seem to go out of its way to serve JC and NJ.) I want the benefit that the Times' coverage would bring to JC.

You're right when it comes to size but, in fact the story's pretty compelling. It wasn't just another local election. The Journal seems to have recognized this.

Is anyone bothered by the fact that the "paper of record" has written nary a word on the political tsunami that took place in New Jersey's second largest city last night? Or did I miss the article?
(BTW, The Wall Street Journal's done two pieces on successive days.)

I was fortunate to be invited to their "friends and family" pre-opening last night. (I had recently poked my head in to see how construction was going and met the owners. So I'm not an insider.) Without going into detail (I'll leave that to the Yelpers), we were delighted by the food we tried. It ranged from classic to innovative. It was fresh and beautifully presented. It's a fantastic addition to the downtown restaurant scene.

Let NYC have the guy. He's a pathetic follower. I mean really, who would want to LIVE on Wall Street just so they could say they live in NYC? If you live in JC it says you are smart with money and secure in your self image. You don't derive your sense of self worth from your zip code as so many in NYC do.

I believe the owners of Fizzy Lizzy live in JC. You should call them.

Thanks, it would be great if you could get that name.

I'm looking for some experienced help with a really nice, but untended ornamental garden -- someone with a good working knowledge of annuals, perennials and ornamental trees.

We recently got a quote on installing backflow preventors in our small condo. The damage: $11,500.

What I was told (and I can't vouch for the accuracy of this) in my request for quotes and discussions with JC officials is:

1. The law requiring backflow preventors is 12-13 years old. However, if was not enforced until recently.

2. The state is cracking down and requiring yearly sprinkler inspections because of recent fatal fires.

3. Neither Hoboken nor Newark require backflow preventors. One contractor told me that there was virtually no chance that sprinkler water would get into the drinking water system and considered the whole program to be a waste.

Make of it what you will.

Thanks. I only wish it were sooner and more often. Clearly a ton of toxic electronic equipment is going into landfills.