this is the architect for the St. Boniface project:

Architect-lawyer pleads guilty in connection to dog bribe
by The Associated Press
Monday August 18, 2008, 3:39 PM

A lawyer and architect has admitted lying to the FBI on whether he paid bribes -- at least one in the form of a dog -- to Hudson County officials in exchange for favors.

Jose Izquierdo pleaded guilty today to one count of making false statements. The 52-year-old Cliffside Park man faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced Dec. 15.

Among other things, he admitted spending about $3,400 to buy a Pomeranian dog and pet supplies for the girlfriend of a member of the Union City zoning board.

Federal prosecutors have not named the official.

Izquierdo represented agencies of West New York from 2000 to 2006, as well as developers with real estate interests in several Hudson County towns.

We're holding a special meeting on August 20th to meet a second time with the developer of St. Boniface, for those that missed our regular meeting in July.

The meeting will be held at 7:30pm in the Community Room of the Villa Borinquen (2nd and Grove/Manilla).

The developer goes before the Zoning Bd. of Appeals in September, so this is an excellent opportunity to ask questions and voice your concerns.

I will also try to get a planner from the City to attend to explain the zoning.

Eric Fleming
Harsimus Cove Association
www.harsimuscove.org

Friends and Neighbors,

Tonight the developer of St. Boniface went before the Zoning Bd of Appeals.

Due to the number of people speaking in opposition to the project's lack of parking, walls that obstruct light of neighbors yards, and other concerns, the ZBA carried the proposal until its September meeting.

I volunteered to host another meeting for those neighbors to meet with the developer who didn't make it Wednesday's meeting.

The idea is to hold a meeting in August, before the ZBA's September meeting, to work out the concerns of our neighbors most affected by the project.

So, per our bylaws, Article 5, Section 3, I am calling a Special Meeting, tentatively scheduled for the third Wednesday of August.

Thanks.

Eric Fleming
president, HCA
www.harsimuscove.org

Backs condo plan for St. Boniface
Thursday, July 10, 2008
By ABRAM MANALASTAS
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
A plan to turn one of Jersey City's oldest Roman Catholic churches, St. Boniface, into a condominium complex was unanimously approved by the city's Historic Preservation Commission last night.

The Historic Preservation Commission and developer Stryker Investments met for three hours to discuss how to best retain the historic elements of the Gothic Revival church on First Street Downtown.

"What we're doing is turning the historic building on First Street into condominium units, since the church is not being used," a representative of Stryker Investments said. "We have decided to keep it as close to the original construction as possible."

Stryker Investments is anticipating construction of 14 units. The company's proposed plan also includes three units in the former rectory, as well as four units of new construction on the former parking lot. The three anticipated buildings will have an interior courtyard.

"The problem I have is the loss of the (stained glass) windows along the knaves," said John Gomez, founder of the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy, who also writes a column for The Jersey Journal. "They are part of the history and they should be retained. . This is going to set a precedent for the Newark Archdiocese to start selling churches."

"It seems silly to me for the developer not to keep the windows," said Hugh Sweeny, a former commission member. "What resident of an expensive condominium would not love to show off his or her stained glass windows to visitors?"

Another meeting will be held July 17 at 6 p.m. at the Department of Housing, Economic Development and Commerce at 30 Montgomery St.

This is the web address that discusses the selling and repurposing of charch art and artifacts:

http://jscms.jrn.columbia.edu/cns/200 ... 7/livelli-closedchurchart

This site mentions St Boniface specifically and includes pictures of the beautiful windows.

Here is the advert describing the property:

"Saint Boniface Church and rectory are on a 71? x 100? lot and there is a garage and small parking area at the rear (22? x 100?) leading to Second Street. The Church holds about 250 people and has a balcony, three meeting rooms and a sacristy. There is a parish hall under the Church with a bathroom and boiler room. The rectory building is attached to the Church and has an unfinished basement and four levels. The first floor, which is below street level, has two small meeting rooms. The second level has three offices (one with a connecting door to the Church) and a bathroom. The third level has a kitchen, bathroom and large living room. The fourth level has three bedrooms and two bathrooms."

As far as I know, the parking lot is part of the APARTMENT property not the church property, the apartments and parking lot have been owned by a private management firm for years.
Quote:

This needs to be looked into -the condos on 5th still have the synagogue windows. I thought the parking lot on second was part of the apartments - former convent -which had been converted -haha - to apartments by Peter Mocco of LHN fame.

I don't know about any restrictions that the historic designation would put on removing the windows, but the church authorities not only think they can do this, apparently there is a regular business going on nationwide with church groups selling art and artifacts from closed churches to other church groups. Apparently they only deal with selling to the public as a last resort (lest a stained glass window of saints end up in a night club) and they often involve the families of the original donors, if any can be located alive, in determining how the art or artifact will be re-used or who it will be sold to.
In addition to the buildings already mentioned there is a garage and a parking lot out back of the church that goes all the way to Second Street that is also part of the property.

Aren't at least the stained glass windows that can be seen from the street protected by the city's historic districting? Or maybe a better question is, can the building be torn down despite its location in the HCHD? As far as associated buildings - the building to east has been apartments for years and the row house to the west was the rectory. Are there other buildings hidden from the street?

For a short time, probably 20+ years ago, there were concerts in Saint Boniface. It is a lovely space.

The church and associated buildings are for sale. The artwork and pews, etc. are being relocated.

"Crafted in Innsbruck, Austria, more than 150 years ago, the stained glass windows of the now-closed St. Boniface Church in Jersey City, N.J., will find a new home in the mortuary chapels at cemeteries where some of the original parishoners are now buried. (Kevin Livelli/CNS)"

the one on 1st? it's been empty for awhile, with only the homeless guys holding the steps up. this morning two suits were checking it out and taking notes. are they turning it into condos? the church would make a great arts center, in place of the soon-to-be-a-school-again victory hall. which of course leads me to believe it'll be condos.