Jersey City officials reconsider privatizing car pound lots

Published: Wednesday, October 26, 2011, 3:00 AM
By Terrence T. McDonald/The Jersey Journal

Faced with a less than enthusiastic reception from tow-truck operators, Jersey City officials have for the time being changed their minds about privatizing the city car pound.

The proposed ordinance, which was introduced with unanimous support at the City Council on Oct. 12, would have shuttered the Phillip Street pound and asked tow-truck operators to store towed vehicles on their own property.

But the operators balked, Business Administrator Jack Kelly said at Monday?s council caucus, because they would not be able to ?meet the current requirements.?

The proposed ordinance would have required an operator to have a minimum of 150 spaces for passenger vehicles.

After a meeting with tow-truck operators, the city decided to revise the ordinance and forward it for the council?s approval in two weeks, Kelly said.

The city?s car pound ran at a $325,000 deficit in 2010. Eliminating a pound from the city?s new DPW compound, under construction on East Linden Avenue, would save $1.4 million in construction costs, according to city officials.

Jersey City City Council to introduce ordinance to outsource city's tow pound

Tuesday, October 11, 2011, 8:58 PM
By Kate Kowsh/The Jersey Journal

Jersey City apparently wants out of the towing business.

An ordinance permitting private towers to take over tow pound services for the city is up for introduction at tomorrow?s Jersey City City Council meeting.

The ordinance seeks to close the City Car Pound yard, located on Burma Road, at the edge of Liberty State Park, which last year ran at a deficit of $325,000, according to a memo from Gregory Corrado, assistant business administrator for the City, to City Council members.

The move also stands to save the city approximately $1.4 million in construction costs related to the city?s Department of Public Works? proposed compound on East Linden Avenue, which included provisions for a new tow pound, according to the memo.

If the tow pound is nixed from the project, the compound would instead be used for industrial parking, officials said.

The memo also says current tow pound property, located near Liberty State Park, could be put up for sale, providing "needed revenue" for calendar year 2012.

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wed. October 12 in the council chambers at City Hall, 280 Grove St.