It would also help if people moving here let go of their preconceived ideas of what was "cool" or "hip", instead of trying to force feed us their idea of how our neighborhoods should be. (this is not directed at MaybeMoving - he seems to have an open mind here). Its just a general observation.

From a 16.5 year resident of JC...

I'm with the OP - please contact Steven Fulop on this right away. He'll be able to tell you what/if anything can be done. he doesn't want this thing her either, from I've been reading.

Welcome! I'm a sixteen year resident of downtown JC. I'd say that everyone has had great suggestions, both old and new residents. If you come with an open mind, rather than "I want it to be like Manhattan/Park Slope/BK" etc., I think you will enjoy it more. Not knocking you at all as I can understanding wanting a somewhat familiar vibe. Also, don't call it "up and coming" - many of us hate that. Its been a gem for ages. We're happy you found it, and hope you enjoy your new life here. :) There's a great arts scene too. Check out Art House Productions, and the vintage Loews movie theatre up by Journal Sq. is just incredible (google it - the website is great with a virtual tour). They have film screenings all the time (at least 1 weekend a month), and its a short walk from the incredible little India someone else mentioned. Buffet in Little India is my weekend brunch of choice these days! :)

For beer lovers - add Pint to the list (on Wayne & Grove). Its the unofficial gay bar, but its very chill, neighborly and I've found it very welcoming to all sorts of customers. They have a fun trivia game at 8pm on Wednesdays. Hamilton Inn also has trivia on Tuesday at 9pm. Great ways to come experience the hood and meet neighbors, both before and after you move here.

One request: please please please be a nice commuter. I've found that in the past several years, some of the new inlfux of folks (not all) have brought their bad NYC Subway attitude to the PATH, with more pushing and shoving and not sharing the stairs or letting folks out of the train before pushing their way in. We know the PATH is getting too crowded, and we don't like it either. It used to be "friendlier" and I think we can all help make it better.

Well, perhaps the petition is a starting point? Which is why I was asking the petition poster what his long-term plan of attack is. And to let us know how we can help.

I am all for this petition against this. But I am wondering what will happen with it after the goal number of sigs is reached. Honest question. Do you really think the mayor will give a crap and listen to us now? I sure hope we make a difference here, but I hardly see the mayor pulling the plug or listening to us, unfortunately.

Well, we certainly don't have to be nice to them when we see them out at the bars, on the street, etc. I think they are going to be bored out of their minds. The kind of partying they want doesn't exist here, and our men are not the type they go for (the "guido gorilla" style, as they call it).

I think we need to stock up on squirt guns and silly string to peg 'em whenever we cross their paths.

This is interesting - thanks for sharing. I am curious to see how he develops and how his views mature/change. Whether or not I agree with his current political stance, I admire his initiative, intelligence and concern. Hopefully, he'll get more youth and people who feel disconnected involved in their communities and the governance of it.

I've been very concerned something like this would happen, and I am so sad to see that it did. My thoughts are with the families and loved ones.

I agree - we need to fix this. Grand street has soo many dangerous aspects, as you all have so thoroughly addressed. Another huge problem area is Jersey Ave. from Grand to Columbus. Its another artery of this speedway (connecting Grand and CC drive), with drivers racing down it to beat the lights at Montgomery to get to CC Drive. Awhile back, the north part of Jersey Ave. got the full treatment of repainted, bright crosswalks, and some signage, I believe. This stretch of Jersey is totally ignored but is the main connector for those cutting through via Grand to the tunnel. I've been begging the city to add speed bumps and to actually paint the crosswalks at the non-stop light intersections, and install that short stick-like signage that says "stop for pedestrians" (like Hoboken has) in the median divider line at each intersection. With the part, a school, and people crossing at the corners - its horrible. And literally, I have had cars - which were far enough away from the intersection - speed up as they see me go into the crosswalk, ans the SWERVE to miss me, usually cussing me out. Its so bad between those lights - namely at Jersey & Wayne st.

So how many more people have to get hurt or killed before the mayor gets his head straight on this and stops cow-towing to commuters and people that do not live here or bring any (or very little if they go to the mall...) revenue to this place, but rather treat it as their own personal highway cut-through??

Oh, and for the record - I live in a 600sq. ft. 1 bedroom. So Mooseskid is definitely confused and is throwing false accusations here. Not cool.

Again, I contacted management immediately with my complaint on not getting notice on this matter. I was told they were "working on something". Ok, that's nice but the lack of urgency was troubling. They finally sent out a statement late yesterday, which is fine, too. But they should have sent out a quick "heads up/be careful" note immediately on Monday morning. Its the right thing to do. At this juncture, the original point I was making has been beat to death and doesn't really matter at this point but since the thread has gone elsewhere and I've been falsely accused of several things, I'll address those.

Quote:

Who are you and what are you talking about?!? I honestly think you have me confused with someone else here. And I have no outlet for these supposed ravings you mention as the internal message board is all censored anyhow, and your little owners google group is locked out to tenants. I don't post that much on JC List, and I have have lived and still live in the same apartment I have been in here since 1999 (was in another unit prior to that). I am under scrutiny (especially with the visibility I have of living in the same building as the office, parking in the main lot where security resides, etc.), as are all the protected tenants, and would never be able to rent my place out or even add a roommate as they would totally find out and revoke my protection (plus, the issues of getting that subletter a key fob, door buzzer access, moving furniture in/out, etc.). I know the office personnel very well, also, and run into them frequently. I'm not interested in risking that, and am grateful for the deal I have and like my individual apartment. Frankly, I hope this place sells like gangbusters so that they ultimately offer me a buyout (wishful thinking, I know).

Oh, and have you reported this person who is illegally subletting? Perhaps you should instead of throwing accusations at semi-anonymous posters on a discussion board. If what this person is doing is indeed true, it makes the rest of us who follow the rules look bad, as well as hurting the condo association's chance to sell that unit.

I've said it here and will again. I am not bashing DM as a place to live, GlitterQueen. Nor am I making anything up. I've even praised security here in this thread. My issue is with the poor/delay of communication of an important safety notice, and then secondarily with how some (not all) of the owners barge in to this complex with total disregard for those who have lived here for years and done their part to build a community, include new neighbors and do their part to keep the place as nice as possible. This second issue only came out of the comments made by others, not the initial incident.

Quote:

Thanks for this. I don't understand the snobbery of some people who buy homes towards those who don't/can't.

Oh, and if I am so "disgruntled", why would I waste any time giving a crap about the safety of ALL of my neighbors and the property's image? Instead, wouldn't I just tell my other "disgruntled renter" friends via secret google email group, and leave it at that? Or I'd publish it in a secret renters-only newsletter...

GlitterQueen - you missed my point and your tone is kind of offensive.

I'm not criticizing security. I will even go on record here to say that I think the new security company, and the most recent one prior of the last few years, seems to be on top of matters as much as possible. And YES, this does affect the community as it happened on the property and the victim was a visitor to the complex as they were coming to see a resident. How can you not see that? Most residents don't read this board or the local papers and yet they have a right to know about matters affecting their safety on and around the property. Plus, really...how hard is it for management to send a notice out stat on this, when they send out tons of emails a week about the most minor matters?? Again, not saying the incident could have been prevented and not blaming anyone for it (well, except the attackers).

Its also a liability issue, which all owners should be concerned about. Like this scenario: Say DM management continues to not address the issue with the community, and another incident happens and the new victim really gets hurt (god forbid). This victim is a resident or a guest of one in this scenario. The victim gets hurt (or worse), and later comes to find out that DM management knew about recent incidents of violence on the property yet did not alert those living there to be more vigilant. What is to stop the victim from filing a suit again DM for negligence here? I'm not a lawyer, but I would think that would be a possible case.

I stay here for now because I have a muuuch better financial deal due to my longevity here, based on my personal situation and income level. The place is fine as a rental complex, and fine for the buyers who do their research like you said. I know the history of the structural issues here which is why I wouldn't personally invest, but that's my decision. Doesn't make me bad or "disgruntled". Some new owners did not do this research though and always whine and complain that they place isn't fancy enough for them, doesn't have a pool, etc. Those people are few, but they complain way more than renters. I've seen the owner google group posts - a few folks there get pretty ridiculous at times.

See, you have totally bought into the "us vs. them" scenario the developer wants you to buy into regarding your view of the remaining renters. I praise a lot of things at this place. I stay for personal reasons which no one can judge. And look at it this way - how would you like it if you lived in a place for a long time, which had a very nice community spirit going that you were a part of, and a group of developers and new residents came in and totally disregarded you despite your efforts to welcome them and include them, shut you out of the new sense of "community" they market and boast about, and created/fostered an adversarial vibe? You'd be annoyed at the least, pissed at most. The management/condo board does nothing to incorporate remaining rental residents who are protected and will be a part of this place for a long time into areas where the sense of community is involved (areas that don't affect the decisions of ownership or finances, like the "DM Neighbors" newsletter, which is a name they stole from the tenants group we had formed wherein we converted it to an all resident group with this name and flyers to all new residents to join us). And that is a really poor PR move, on a business level, because we know a lot about this place as an investment opportunity and about how the community is functioning, the pros and cons. And we aren't afraid to share that with prospective buyers.

Again, I'm not freaking out because crime happened. I am not upset at security. I'm not sure it could have been prevented as it sounds like the attackers snuck up from behind the woman who was a visitor to the complex ringing the door buzzer. I am pissed off at management for not communicating this safety issue to residents. Its negligent. I want people to know that management is messing up here.

And no, I'm not a paranoid owner. Living here 16 years, I knew better than to invest my money in this complex.

Let me clarify a few things. First off, I've lived here for over 16 yrs., in Dixon Mills the whole time. I was not "shocked" this happened, and I've seen/been through worse times around these blocks. And I know all about the history of lax security, despite cameras, etc. I never said the crime was Dixon Mill's fault, nor did I criticize the security measures already in place.

Read what I wrote again. I was/am upset that management is doing nothing to inform residents about an attack on the premises in order to help us be more informed, vigilant and prepared. Management wastes our time with needless email "spam" all the time, often multiple times per day. However, they still have yet to put out a statement/announcement about this issue and safety around the complex to raise awareness. Even in the forms of a "heads up". What pisses me off is their disregard to communicate important safety matters, but its fine to send out multiple emails on broken elevators, dog poop, etc.

I called management on this today. The reply was along the lines of "we understand your concern and will be putting something out". WHEN?!?! This attack happened at 6pm Saturday. It is now over 72 hrs. later. At the very least, this communication should have been issued before noon on Monday. Many residents here don't see nj.com, this board, or the local paper (sad but true given that many condos in JC have very NYC centric/focused folks - and by no means is that a criticism, just the way it is). The point is that DM has this "communication system" in place, but fails to use it for the important things in so many cases, like this one.

I sure hope this woman is ok. I had heard from a neighbor that she was ringing the door buzzers as she was coming to visit a resident.

As a resident of this complex, I am disturbed that management still has not addressed this issue with the community as a whole in order to raise awareness and help us keep safe. They send us email blasts all the time about the tiniest things (mostly building etiquette and renovation related). In fact, sometimes we get 4+ more emails a day from management on individual matters (seriously). Yet, this has yet to be broadcast to us so that we may be more diligent, and to let us know what, if any, security enhancements are being put forth.

We all know this an urban environment and unfortunately, crimes are still bound to happen. The Dixon Mills developers & sales staff have been carefully trying to cultivate this image of the strong sense of community, safety and well-being you get when you buy at Dixon Mills. But management fails to hold up this end of the bargain all too often as evidenced here.

Thanks for the re-direct, webmaster.

Has anyone hung out at the new Park & Sixth? Do they have wifi? tried to call them and get a machine.

Thanks

I'm a long time patron Barrow Bar since they opened. Though in the last few years I cut way back on how much I went there, for a few reasons. Pricing and the format change int he trivia night.

The lack of beer specials, especially on trivia night (when I usually went) really bugged me. It got to be a bit cost prohibitive (IMHO) for me to go there on a weekly basis as I, like many have been laid off. And the change in the trivia game format when he switched from Jeff to the really loud, shrieking, flip-flopping gal went way down in quality. Several of my friends were also really disappointed in this change.

But - this said - the vibe was usually friendly and comfortable. The food was good bar food, and the staff made an effort to remember your name. I hope someone takes it over and continues the friendly vibe, and puts a good neighborhood place in there with decent pricing incentives for customers.

Thanks very much!

My home station is Grove St. But I have family coming into town, and 1 is handicapped in a wheelchair so them using Grove st. station is out.

I know that both Journal Sq. & Pavonia/Newport are handicapped accessible from platform to street. But can anyone tell me what the availability of taxis is like at both stations? Do both have taxi stands?

Thanks!

Quote:

AWESOME idea!! They should do that at the offshoot to Grand at the 14C exit too.

So does anyone have a map or illustration of exactly where this blacktop is poured and the road extension? I am having trouble picturing exactly where this is. Thanks!

Well, if the other wards would elect better Council people who were ethical, had real plans, and actually tried to make them realities, then perhaps they would see some positive changes in their hoods??

Also, if they would stop voting for ineffective, politically corrupt mayors - that would help too.

Yeah, I do hope & think they will work the kinks out. The food service was in need of big help.

I am very glad they got good turnout, and I really liked the place. I hope it thrives and I will be back! I was just really disappointed with the kitchen aspect of it. My review called it as I experienced it and I did praise what was good. So those of you not happy with what I wrote, oh well.

I went there for dinner around 7pm tonight. They were out of all sausage but the Kielbasa. And they were not in the least apologetic about it. I nicely asked the woman at the register if they planned to order more food in the future as I heard they had been running out all weekend and she said flatly "no". WTF?? Did she not understand me?? Wrong answer to give. How about "Oh we know its a problem, and they are working on it. So sorry."

The people putting the food out once it was made were not in the least in sync - 1 guy called out your ticket number clearly for his orders, while the woman quietly said what the food was for the ones she put out and if you didn't hear her she set it on the shelf by the counter until you inquired about it. The forks and napkins were out and the counter by the condiments was a mess. Yeah, the food service personnel need A LOT of work. When I got my food, it was ok, though a bit cold.

The bartender at the outdoor bar, on the other hand, ROCKED. He gave me great advice on what beer to order to best compliment my kielbasa and was very knowledgeable. I did not have to wait at all for a drink. And when I realized I couldn't carry all the drinks to our table myself, a bus person was right there offering me help. So thumbs up on the beer, bar service and bus staff - they are attentive and working hard. I also loved the atmosphere and the space.

I'll go back , but most likely will just stick to drinking. Hope they are serious about getting the food service in shape.

Quote:

That's exactly what I have been calling for in this thread for awhile now. We need to have the level of pedestrian singnage like Hoboken does, That and repainted crosswalks with reflective paint. Oh yeah - and enforcement.

Thanks, sullyx - that was my point exactly. The violations could be coming from any type of driver, of course. But the sheer volume increase of traffic is due to over development and motorists coming off the turnpike at Grand st. and cutting through downtown (mostly via Jersey to Erie St. - so the problems of these 2 streets are VERY connected) to rush to the Holland Tunnel.

More traffic with less/ to no enforcement of violations leads to more dangerous streets. Simple as that. Plus people LOVE to race up Jersey from the light at Montgomery/Jersey to the light at Jersey/Columbus. Lord help you if you want to safely cross the street on any of the corners between those 2 lights!

For years now, I have been complaining about pedestrian safety in the downtown area, and nothing has been done at all to improve it. I've called the police about it a few times too. It's solution is long overdue and needs to be taken seriously by the police and the city as our streets are getting more and more overwhelmed with cars, not only due to over-development, but due to motorists cutting through downtown to get to the Holland Tunnel. JC needs to be as vigilant about this matter as Hoboken is - its not that hard for us to adopt their model, and we residents deserve that level of enforcement and safety.

Let me elaborate on what I speak of. Each day when I try to cross Jersey Ave. at Wayne street on my way to/ from the work, I am usually faced with one or several of these things, and I am not exaggerating. One or more of these things happens like 80% of the time I cross that street:

- drivers speeding up and blowing through the cross walk that I am in, often on their cell phone.
- drivers yelling at me and cursing me out for crossing the street in the cross walk, even through I have the right away. This happens A LOT!
- drivers not stopping at all for pedestrians
- drivers SWERVING to miss me in the cross walk, so that they can keep driving on, often too fast
- Buses not yielding for pedestrians!!
- Drivers running stop signs, endangering pedestrians

This particular intersection (Jersey & Wayne St.) is a problem because people RACE through it to make the stop light. its becoming quite a speedway of downtown as drivers exit the turnpike at Grand st. to take a shortcut through downtown to the Holland Tunnel. But I have seen such patterns at other cross walks in our downtown area (Erie St. is a good example and also merits attention)

I am tired of feeling like I cannot cross a street safely, or without being harassed. We need to push for more pedestrian signage (like Hoboken has literally IN EVERY crosswalk), flashing lights at big intersections or more stop signs (Jersey Ave. is prime for this - its becoming a speedway as cars race to the Holland Tunnel), REFLECTIVE PAINT used to re-paint all crosswalks, which are all in dire need of re-paining anyhow. And even greater - how about some police enforcement of speeding on both Erie & Jersey??

Heck - posting a cop at the corner of Jersey & Wayne may even help create a better presence re: the known drug problem over there. Win win!

Its seems that at the very least the re-painting of crosswalks with reflective paint, adding a few more stop signs and pedestrian signs (in the middle of the crosswalks like in Hoboken, for our larger crossings) would be the first step and not a difficult one to enact.

Thanks for your attention to this matter, Steve.

Actually, its pretty relevant that he is a DM resident as DM has failed to maintain their customized street lights on Varick (and elsewhere around the complex), and the security staff is useless.

It appears that the police (who responded within minutes to the tenant's 911 call made as soon as he got into his apartment) immediately questioned DM Security personnel to determine if they saw anything with their cameras or while on "patrol". Apparently they were of no help and saw nothing. Since the tenant said that it was too dark in front of Building B for him to get a good enough look at his assailants. It is not clear if there is any security camera footage (if there are even cameras by the entrances recording anything...). And if there are cameras recording, its so dang dark that I doubt they caught anything.

We tenants have complained repeatedly about the poor lighting, and upkeep of the lighting all around the complex for years and the matter has not been remedied.

Thankfully the neighbor was not hurt. But this is yet another inexcusable oversight by the DM ownership. What will it take for them to maintain the property properly and show true concern for the residents' safety and well-being??

#58 - Beef & scallions rolled and with sesame suace over vermicelli & veggies.

My total favorite and usually keeps me from trying new stuff. Love those pring rolls with peanut sauce too!! Drool!

Quote:

Unfortuantely, more trains won't solve the problem. A larger station with multiple platforms will. But when is that coming? Remember how you could not physically get in or out of Grove St. station in that year and a half post 9/11 when Exchange Place was closed? There were literally too many bodies and there were PA police running crowd control? Well, I see that happening again, only much worse.

And ya know - I don't care about these rich trendy wannabe people's obsession with moving into less than perfect neighborhoods, and taking over - the "stress" these people feel in not living in the most cutting edge places (or the syndrom, or however he described it). Boo frickin' hooo.

What about the displacement of people and groups who have lived here for a long time (if not their whole lvies)? What about the stress it causes them to be squeezed out? What about the city's failings in providing affordable housing alongside the luxury developments? What about the corruption of city hall, bowing to developers? These issues were ignored entirely.

Look, I know there are pros and cons to gentrification. Yes, I like some of the gentrification for reasons I stated earlier. But I sensed a tone from this author that these rich people and hipster wannabees are entitled to take over and run people out. That ticks me off.