They can start with their own, city owned buildings and then they can make there way down to and near the end of Jersey Ave - what a crappy / eye sore entrance to LSP that is - from the hospital end.

That's like, all of Columbus Ave. That block between Grove and Jersey Ave is gross.

Property owners are cleaning up
Task Force gets action against unsightly buildings

Monday, August 06, 2007
By KEN THORBOURNE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Jersey City is cleaning up its act when it comes to unsightly - and potentially dangerous - dilapidated buildings, city officials announced last week.

Empowered by state legislation enacted in January, the city's newly created Abandoned Properties Rehabilitation Act Task Force is narrowing the list of properties that could be subject to government action ranging from increased fines to condemnation, officials said.

"We have already seen a success as property owners who have been notified their building is on the Abandoned Buildings List are stepping up and cleaning and rehabilitating what are often eyesores and public nuisances for the community," said Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy. "We are finally seeing action from property owners who previously left their buildings to deteriorate and diminish the overall quality of life of the community," Healy added.

There are currently 107 properties that were reviewed as potential candidates for the final APRA list, officials said.

But given the efforts property owners are making to clean up their properties, the final list due out within the next couple of weeks will probably have only 24 or so properties, said Rose Wagner, a project manager with the city's Department of Housing, Economic Development and Commerce working with the task force.

Besides HEDC, other city agencies participating with the task force include the Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Public Works, Health Department, Jersey City Incinerator Authority, Division of Neighborhood Improvement Districts and the Construction Code Office.

"Arson, vandalism and an overall decrease in the neighborhood's stability are the result of these properties remaining vacant for a long period," said Housing Code Director Edward Coleman, head of the task force. "We are here to change that."