Summer Dawn Hortillosa | The Jersey Journal

While some parts of Jersey City are seeing rapid change, with blooming high-rises and new restaurants opening up, others are stuck in moratorium.



Going back to her childhood neighborhood of Bergen Hill, Abib Ascencio says many things are the same as they were when she last lived on Seaview Avenue. From pickles and red sausage on bodega counters to young kids from down the block soaking their plain white tees to keep cool in the summer heat.

While the current West New York resident says coming home brings back fond memories, nostalgia is sometimes overshadowed by a sadness that things aren't developing for areas like the Hill or Greenville like they are in other places -- most notably, shiny Downtown.

"Everyone my age is now going Downtown and it's something new to them, but they don't know what the rest of Jersey City is like. No one knows because no one bothers to go down there," said the 23-year-old.

Ascencio decided to show them. Since March, the New Jersey City University media arts student has been documenting JC's growth through her blog Jersey City Made Me, which she hopes to mount as a local art exhibit.

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Nice site.

"Random street vista" has always been my favorite form of photography.

Love this!

very interesting and i hope she keeps going with it. Will spread it around

Very Interesting blog.


A 'Hood Girl', raised in one of the baddest yet diverse cities in the 90s. Jersey City has made me who I am today; a young independent Latina, who is as tough as a two dollar steak. Join me explore OUR hood.

http://www.jcmademe.com/