feel free to contact me if you need an architect to help out. good luck!

Thanks everyone, spoke with Dan and he suggested viewing the photos from 1938 as well. The worker's at the Tax Assessor's office were very helpful and already pulled the file after 1 phone call. Dan's office even sent over the guidelines and they've given me the framework I was looking for. Definitely a few more steps, but if it means doing it the correct way I am all for it. Again, thanks to everyone for helping me get started.

personally, I thought Dan offered some pretty reasonable advice when we went to see him a couple months ago.

Stop by the Planning offices at 30 Montgomery (14th floor, I think) and they can give you a copy of the Historic District rules/guidelines. It's a good start and gives you an idea of the process before initiating the forms for what type of work you want done. Also stop by the tax assessors office at City Hall to obtain the photos of your property from the 30s that are used as the preservation guideline.

If it's updating something that is existing (meaning re-paint, repair masonry, etc.), it should be fairly straightforward. If you are looking to alter the look, then it can get complicated.

Good Luck
CC

The guildelines are open to subjective interpretation, and it's been my experience that Dan will choose the most expensive, least reasonable option - and he'll take months to do so. Be prepared for a long wait. And there's no reasoning or compromise with him. He has repeatedly stated that his goal to have downtown JC look like the West Village. Others have suggested doing the work on the sly, and I know people who have done that and gotten away with it. It depends on whether your neighbors are rabid preservationists who are prone to snitching (Mercer St. is full of them). Also, Dan lives on Jersey & Wayne, so if you live anywhere near there, it's unlikely you could have any work done in that vicinity without him noticing - then you'll be slapped with a violation, fine and fix that will easily double or triple your cost. Your best bet is to find a contractor who's used to dealing with Dan and willing to do all the permit work for you. It'll save you a boatload of grief in the long run.

you will have to deal with Dan Wrieden and perhaps his boss Bob Cotter. Unless you just do it, but I don't know the consequences of that. Seach this site for info on these guys.

I am sure that someone who had done work on their house in DTJC will reply with more info.

In the meantime this is the link to the JC Planning web site.
(if you didn't already have it)

http://www.cityofjerseycity.com/hedc.aspx?id=1170

Hello, looking into what the requirements are for doing any exterior work on a building that falls within the Van Vorst/Downtown JC Historic district. Can't seem to find a website or phone number to view the rules for these areas. Does anyone have some info that could lead me int he right direction? Thanks