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If they could somehow get an absolutely ironclad agreement to use the OTB revenue to help the Newark Avenue area street people and the St. Lucy's shelter residents, and also the various soup kitchen patrons, then I would feel OK about the OTB parlor.

But, of course, even if the city agreed to an agreement like that, which it wouldn't, city officials would find some way to get around the agreement, and we'd still end up with a harmless, friendly old drunk guys sleeping on the sidewalk.

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This would be horrible. I can't imagine the drunken bar fights that would ensue. Not to mention people getting robbed.

I wonder if they're going to help relocate the employment/training office or just give them the boot.

Nice.. maybe "Nursing's School" can finally expand their operations.

At the VVP Assoc meeting a few months back Mr. Fulop said Healy was still pushing for the "upscale" otb since it has the highest potential for tax revenue for the city. Have not heard anything since though.

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it'll probably be tax abated development too.

This better not be the backdoor for Mayor Healy's pet project to bring the many splendors of off track gambling to downtown JC...
While we may all be dreaming of a Whole Foods branch, it'll most likely wind up as another dollar store selling recalled frozen e-coli burgers and lead-painted toys.

City plans to sell Downtown building

Monday, December 24, 2007
By KEN THORBOURNE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

A city-owned commercial property in downtown Jersey City will soon have a "for sale" sign.

City officials said last week they intend to sell 121-125 Newark Ave., a four-story building that currently houses nonprofit and government offices, including the Jersey City Employment & Training office.

A redevelopment plan for the building will be adopted by February, and a "request-for-proposal" for interested developers will be issued shortly after, said Jersey City Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Robert Antonicello.

"What we are looking for is a use that would activate and re-energize that lower part of Newark Avenue," Antonicello said. "There could be a retail/entertainment use, a restaurant. There could be a number of different things."

The City Council passed an emergency resolution Wednesday appropriating $198,920 for a new roof for the building.

No relocation plans have been made at this point for city offices, officials said.

City officials believe the property can fetch more than $4 million on the open market - in time, they hope, to help plug this fiscal year's budget gap, which ends June 30.