I wrote an email to an elected official back in Sept 2015 and the response referenced a mid-1980's project. Regardless, I'd argue the point that it's getting better. I am not sure where she is getting her feedback. Here was the response:

I know Erie stinks (though it is better than it was I'd argue based on feedback I've gotten) the real solution there is to divert cut through traffic away from downtown (which is a project the state promised in mid 1980s). 30% of cars are using our streets as short cut to Holland tunnel.

Went here today and pizza was good! Very laid back and casual. What I did find odd is that there was a guy in there with 2 dogs. I initially saw him ordering at the counter with his dogs and thought he was going to leave after he got his pizza but no, he proceeded to a table. The dogs were begging and he was feeding them. As the managers were walking by, nothing was said to him. I am a dog person myself but isn't this a health code violation?!? I'd hate to see a health code official walk by and shut it down with it being such a new establishment. Maybe a sign on the door or have the manager say to people 'no dogs allowed' would help.

We emailed our City Councilman about 2 or 3 years ago when they took a bunch out on Jersey Ave by 4th, 6th, etc and we were told that the city was conducting a study and once they were done, a determination would be made on whether to put the trash cans back. I guess they determined they weren't needed?!?

The Montgomery & Orchard sandbagging site was a free-for-all too. Upon arriving at 11:15 am, there was no sand but some about to be delivered. Also, they had run out of bags. The only people that had bags upon our arrival had been there earlier to get them, but had to come back since they had run out of sand. For the people arriving, we began realizing there would be no bags. However, we saw on the corner a guy selling his stash of bags he received earlier to people really needing them for 2 for $5 - not a bad return on investment!

There was another guy who had filled up roughly 30 bags and was putting them on a cart. He then wheeled his cart over to his Monte Carlo and sold the bags out of his trunk to people who didn't have any of the free JC bags. I guess I should be impressed with the JC residents with their entrepreneurial spirit. The best part - a few police officers who really offered no assistance and had no information on the entire process. The entire experience was just minutes after hearing our mayor on 1010 WINS AM radio really offering no advice compared to Bloomberg, Christie, etc.

Classic!

Does anyone know what happened to the trash cans that were along Jersey Avenue? They are gone today and a small pile of "doggie bags" is forming where a trash can once stood.

Accident just happened today at 7:49 PM @ intersection 4th and Erie because of someone running a stop sign.

I live near the Fourth and Erie intersection and my parked car was struck after an accident in the intersection - this accident most likely would never have happened if cars weren't able to fly down Erie as they currently do. My car was nearly totalled and two other parked vehicles were also significantly damaged.

As far as speed bumps or stop signs causing an increase in pollution: consider the paint fumes/pollution generated by the body shops that repair all of the damaged vehicles in accidents caused along this stretch of Erie. Also, consider the added trips and extra pollution because of all the insurance claims adjusters that had to visit the damaged vehicles (my insurance company's adjuster had to visit my car in the polluting body shop at least 3 times!).

Erie Street should not be a thruway for people to access the Holland Tunnel. I would welcome stop signs or speed bumps along Erie!

I'm sure other tax-paying residents of JC have discovered this as well - if you happen to be a tax-paying resident of this great city who has a company car that is registered by your company in a city other than JC, you are subject to a $300 annual fee to obtain a resident parking permit - yes, 20x the amount typically charged to residents. This is the same annual fee as that charged to non-residents (as in non-JC-taxpayers). I don't know much about the structure/processes of parking authorities such as the JC Parking Authority (I believe parking authorities were established/allowed by the state some time ago), but it seems that there should be some reason/justification behind their fee-setting protocol. It seems unreasonable to me that a tax-paying resident of JC could be charged 20x more than another because of the fact that they happen to drive a company-issued vehicle. I guess I'm missing the public policy reason behind this...or, is this an effort to obtain more funds for the JC Parking Authority so they can send more folks to the annual NJ Assoc. of Parking Authorities & Agencies conference in Atlantic City?!...looks like a great time! I hope they all appreciate the cheesy band that I helped pay for!

http://www.njparkinginst.com/html/dinner_dance_0.html

Does anyone know if the JC Parking Authority is subject to any public commentary, etc. when setting rules/fees?