Quote:

I have seen people surveying and marking out the site just north of the Hilton site, where the rental building is supposed to be built. Even though they are separate projects, perhaps the rental site needs to be cleared first before the Hilton site can proceed.

Thanks Ian. Do you have any updated info on the Hilton to be built on Marin? Seems like excavation/remediation has halted or been completed.

Majestic II The Majestic II is actually just a description the city slapped on it, and the last I heard it will be called South Grove. South Grove was originally planned as a 6 story building (5 stories with a set back on the 6th). The base of the building would be retail. There is an old rendering on curbed. This is a smart development from a responsible developer (Majestic, Hamilton Square), and likely to go forward at some point as the real estate climate improves. Columbus Corner Columbus Corner was a planned development for Columbus, Barrow and Wayne Streets that has never materialized. It was a mix of different heights; the tallest I believe would have been 8 or 10 stories on Columbus Drive where the vacant parking lot is and a restoration of the building on the corner of Barrow and Columbus and the mansion on the corner of Barrow and Wayne. Photos of where this is are on NewYorksSixth. As far as I know this project is not happening.

So what ever happened with both of these projects? The article is 4 years old. To my knowledge, Majestic II and Columbus Corner do not exist.

Quote:

I would not be surprised if there is a plan in place to widen Columbus Drive all the way to Wayne.

Quote:

Huh?? They're now building condo projects on corners that don't exist?

Amazing... I can't believe they all somehow know each other. Who would've thunk such a thing in Hudson County?

I saw a JC Downtown Development Map today, dated 10/7/2009, and noticed an approved development on the east side of Grove, between York and Montgomery, that I had not seen before. Does anyone know much about this, such as how tall it could possibly be and what it might become? I am very curious to know - thanks!

Majestic II - the sequel
Planning Board approves two projects downtown

Ricardo Kaulessar
Reporter staff writer 07/28/2006

COLUMBUS CORNER — This building on the corner of Christopher Columbus Drive and Wayne Street is sitting on the future site of Columbus Corner.

The developers who recently turned historic Majestic Theater into condominiums are planning a followup of sorts.

The original Majestic Theater, on the corner of Montgomery and Grove streets, is a six-story, 45-unit complex completed in 2004.

Developers Eric and Paul Silverman now have a larger project planned for the same block.

The Jersey City Planning Board at its Tuesday meeting approved unanimously the Majestic II Redevelopment Project, a two-building, 88-unit development that will encompass Montgomery, Grove and York Streets.

There will also be 96 parking spaces and 8,880 sq. ft. of retail. The Majestic II will be overlooking City Hall.

Currently on the block are an empty storefront (formerly a deli and a carpet store), a church that closed recently, and several apartment buildings with empty lots beside them.

Neighbors cautiously optimistic

Following a presentation by an architect and engineer, several area residents praised Silverman but urged him to do monitoring of the area when construction starts, to test the stability of the area. They also encouraged them to acquire empty lots on York Street for the project.

Silverman said he would work to ensure the monitoring and to acquire the lots.

The board, in approving the project, also praised the proposed construction. New board member Phillip Matsikoudis remarked that the "Silvermans do grade A work."

Board member Michael Sottolano said he looked forward to the project getting under way as it would be wonderful addition to the area, and will force city officials to get started on renovating City Hall.

Silverman after the presentation said that he was "happy, very happy." He also said that the groundbreaking will take place in the next six months, with the project taking a year and a half to complete.

The Silvermans are also currently renovating the old St. Francis Hospital near Hamilton Park into 225 condos and retail.

Columbus Corner



The Planning Board also approved on Tuesday a project known as Columbus Corner that will be built at the corner of Christopher Columbus Drive and Wayne Street as a part of Barrow Street.

The project will consist of one building with three sections: one seven stories, one 4.5 stories, and another at three stories.

There will be a total of 58 residential units with 45 parking spaces and 4,925 sq. ft. of retail.

The developers are Five Star Investments Inc., a development firm based in Jersey City whose principals are employees of the Del Forno Real Estate firm.

The project is named for the Columbus Corner Redevelopment Area it is located within. It is also partially located within the Van Vorst Historic District.

James Lindemon, the architect for the project, made the presentation in front of the board.

Planning Board member Leon Yost asked if there would be green space built into the project for tenants to have access to. Lindemon said the plans could be amended to allow for a "green roof."

Board member Sottolano complained that the different facades of the building did not blend in each other and considered the transition "too harsh."

The board placed seven conditions for the developer to meet before construction begins, including providing green space and communicating with the Planning Board and Historic Preservation Commission regarding the project.

After the presentation, Lawrence Perlaki of Five Star Investments, when interviewed, said that he was happy see the project get started after four years of delays.

------------
Sidebar

New Planning Board members

There are two new members of the Planning Board, both of whom started their tenure at the previous Planning Board meeting on July 11. The two are Philip Matsikoudis and David Ruiz Jr.

Matsikoudis is a former Jersey City police officer who currently works as an attorney. He is the brother of the Jersey City Corporation Counsel Bill Matsikoudis.

Matsikoudis' term on the board expires on June 30, 2010. He is replacing former member Robert Lopez.

Ruiz is currently an employee of the Hudson County Improvement Authority. He was picked to serve as an alternate member of the board, replacing Roseanna Petruzelli, who served in that capacity but has been promoted to a full-time member, replacing longtime board member Jeni Branum.

Ruiz's term expires on Dec. 31 of this year. Petruzelli's term expires on June 30, 2010 while - RK