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The problem is not with abatments, it's with the original construction, the building management, and the poor quality of the contractors selected for this job.

I agree - this looks terrible, and as a major tenant, as well as advocate for the continuing revitalization of the JSQ area, the City should push to have the facade fixed up.

But then we get onto thin ice - most municipalities can only cite unsafe conditions, unless there is some sort of landmark or zoning overlay, which I don't know if there is here. And with most properties outside of historic downtown looking like this or worse, I don't see anyone anyone pushing this agenda.

That Healy gave Panepinto a tax abatement and then rented space from him has nothing to do with the condition of the front of the building. Whether the city is there or not the recent pointing of the front wall surrounding 1 Journal Square is a "schmear" job that immediately paints a slum image in ones mind. More the neglect of the stair lights accumulating refuse and posing a danger to children who could place their hands inside plus the lack of landscaping though space exists for this shows that someone in charge is not doing their job. On cable TV Panepinto touts his properties as destination buildings etc. but the reality is this particular building in the heart of Journal Square is becoming an eyesore.

It amazed me when the owner of that neglected building complained to Healy he wasn't making any money that Healy gave him a tax abatement and rented space from him. I honestly don't know how Healy graduated college let alone law school.

I agree the building looks like garbage and the owner should be encouraged to spruce it up.

So it is OK, that the city's offices is in a dump, while we make this developer richer? This building is close to the Loews. Would you accept this garbage downtown? That answer is no. You have the attitude that if it is not downtown it is not important. The reason one of the candidates who ran for council referred to downtown people as the "beautiful people." He didn't mean that in a positive light.

How about JC stop giving out and renewing tax abatements to Joe Panepinto. Then again, he was the former Democratic Hudson County chairman at one time. Between the county and the city, we have made this developer wealthy, the least he can do is fix his property. Besides renting floors in this building, the city is also renting parking spaces in the rear.