It’s been another busy week in Hudson County, with plenty of news headlines to get caught up on — especially in Hoboken + Jersey City. Among the highlights: Hoboken shares three proposals for the new multi-service center; Jersey City’s Razza wins international accolades for its wood-fired pizza; a Bayonne neighbor is a competitor on this season of The Bachelorette. Read on for more of the Hoboken and Jersey City highlights for the week ending July 2nd, 2023.
The Local Girl Team Launches The Asbury Girl
Just in time for summer fun, The Local Girl team (the team behind The Hoboken Girl + The Montclair Girl) has launched its sister brand dedicated to all things at the Jersey Shore — TheAsburyGirl. While named ‘Asbury Girl,’ the brand will cover things all around the Jersey Shore — especially lifestyle fun, activities, and things to do. Website launch is coming soon, but for now, get on our email list here, and follow @theasburygirl on Instagram.
Over 200 Pounds of Debris Picked Up During World Ocean Day at Liberty State Park
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A team from Sea Life Aquarium at American Dream Mall picked up 215 pounds of trash at Liberty State Park, per NJ.com. The shoreline clean-up effort was part of World Oceans Day. Some of the items included single-use plastics, shoes, and car tires.
Kearny Bank Closes Hoboken Location
Kearny Bank has closed its Hoboken location. Per Patch, the bank will close its Hoboken location at 1470 Garden Street on Friday June 30th. Customer accounts can be serviced at the bank’s North Bergen branch.
Art House Productions Announces Grand Opening Ceremony: You’re Invited
Via a press release, Art House Productions has announced the ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening for its new facility. The space has a theater, a visual arts gallery, dressing rooms, and office space in an adaptable-use facility that will allow Art House to produce a wide range of programming year-round. The Grand Opening Ceremony of Art House Productions’ performing and visual arts center at The Hendrix will be held on July 13th, 2023 at 2PM at 345 Marin Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07302. Mayor Steven Fulop and other city officials will join the event to mark the momentous occasion. Festivities for the Ribbon Cutting will begin at 1PM.
Holiday Reminders from Hoboken Public Safety
Via a press release, the Hoboken Police Department and the Hoboken Fire Department made the following announcement:
With the Fourth of July holiday quickly approaching, the Hoboken Public Safety Department, Fire Department, and Police Department encourage all residents to celebrate safely, and legally, by enjoying fireworks at public displays rather than using them at home.
In New Jersey, it is illegal to light aerial consumer fireworks including sky and bottle rockets, firecrackers, reloadable shell devices, and roman candles, among others. Those found guilty of purchasing, using, discharging, or igniting prohibited fireworks without a required permit face penalties including jail time and fines of up to $500.
State law does allow for personal use of ground-based novelties and non-aerial sparkling devices, but residents are advised to leave all firework usage to professionals. According to the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety hand-held sparklers can reach a temperature of approximately 1,200 degrees making them extremely dangerous, and for adult use only.
Those who choose to buy and use legal ground-based fireworks and novelties are advised to use
extreme caution and follow recommended guidelines, including:
• Only buy legal devices from reputable retail outlets.
• Never allow children to handle any kind of fireworks.
• Never use these devices indoors.
• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear.
• Only use them away from people, houses, and flammable material.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.
• Never ignite devices in a container.
• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that do not go off or in case
of fire.
An Update on the Malibu Diner
Plans are shaping up for the next iteration of Hoboken’s beloved Malibu Diner. The diner, located at 257 14th Street in Hoboken, was an unofficial welcome mat on the north side of town for decades of visitors since its opening in 1941. It closed on December 31st, 2021, with promises to come back in the same spot in a new format. Plans are now coming together for what that will look like. Read on for more about what we know about the new Malibu Diner.
North Jersey Restaurants Recognized by Wine Spectator Magazine
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Several North Jersey restaurants were recognized by Wine Spectator magazine as part of its 2023 Restaurant Awards. Hoboken’s Court Street was recognized, as was Jersey City’s Battello. Newcomer Blu on the Hudson in Weehawken was also recognized for the first time.
Man Dies After Jumping into Hudson River from Hoboken Pier
According to the Hudson County View, a man died last week after jumping into the Hudson River from Pier C in Hoboken. Hoboken Fire, Police, and EMS were assisted by the US Coast Guard and NYPD Harbor Patrol during the rescue on Friday, June 23rd. Onlookers reported that the man jumped in shortly after 4PM.
NHL Devils Youth Foundation Awards Newark
Community Group $100K
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Per a press release, the New Jersey Devils Youth Foundation made a $100,000 grant to the United Community Corporation (UCC) in Newark. The Devils Youth Foundation is the charitable arm of the NJ Devils, an NHL team. The grant will be used to support UCC’s nutritional programming and community refrigerator initiative.
Jersey City’s Razza Wins International Accolades
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Razza’s Dan Richer has been named Best US Pizza Maker of the Year 2023 by 50 Top Pizza, an international pizza ranking group. Razza was also named the number 2 pizza in the US. Notably, Razza has won Hoboken Girl‘s Best Pizza in Jersey City in 2020, 2021, an 2022. Congrats to Dan and the Razza team!
BOND Coming to Hoboken
The team behind Bond Salon will be opening a second location in Hoboken later this summer, called BOND. BOND will be located at 425 Washington Street. BOND will be an expanded studio space with the same offerings as Bond Salon, according to Michael Enzo Trivett founder of BOND. Stay tuned for more information as the space opens.
Hoboken’s Curry Up Now has New Vibes, Menu Items
Curry Up Now, located at 91 Washington Street in Hoboken, will have a new look and feel while still serving everyone’s favorite fresh takes on Indian cuisine. A new chef has breathed new life into the menu, according to a press release, and the fast-casual chain is changing gears to focus more on casual tableside service. One of the biggest additions to the menu is a selection of Biryanis, rice-based dishes.
New Jersey Symphony to Perform Free Concert at
Liberty State Park
The New Jersey Symphony celebrating its centennial season with a free outdoor summer concert performance in Liberty State Park on Sunday, July 2nd. The Emmy and Grammy Award-winning Symphony will take the stage at 7:30PM. The event is free and open to the public, according to a press release. The iconic music performance is made possible through a grant from Jersey City’s Arts and Culture Trust Fund and will take place at the Green Ring in Liberty State Park, located off Freedom Way. The concert marks the conclusion of the NJ Symphony’s centennial celebration, which has spanned the state over the past ten months.
North Hudson Community Action Corporation Gets HUD Grant for Housing Counseling Services
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As part of an effort to support the comprehensive housing counseling services provided by grantees to homebuyers, homeowners, and renters, the North Hudson Community Action Corporation (NHCAC) was one of nine New Jersey-based recipients of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Housing Counseling (OHC) grants. Per a press release, the Union City-based organization received $16,746.00 for housing counseling services, which include assisting homebuyers in evaluating their readiness for a home purchase and navigating the home buying process, helping households find affordable rental housing, and offering financial literacy training to individuals and families.
Arrest Made in Jersey City Shooting
According to a press release from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, an arrest has been made in the shooting that took place in Jersey City on Saturday, June 24th. At approximately 8:02 p.m., the Jersey City Police Department was notified of a shooting in the area of 16th Street and Coles Street. Upon arrival, responding officers located an injured male – later identified as Isaiah Velasquez, 17, of Jersey City – with an apparent gunshot wound to the torso. He was transported to Jersey City Medical Center and pronounced dead at approximately 8:57 p.m. The Cause and Manner of Death are pending the findings of the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office. During the course of the investigation, Isaiah McCord, 22, of Bayonne, was charged with Murder. He was arrested at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Secaucus on Sunday, June 25th, 2023 and is being detained at the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance.
Hudson Pride Announces Partnership with SPECTRAFORCE
Via a press release, Hudson Pride announced a new partnership with staffing and solutions agency SPECTRAFORCE. As part of this collaboration, Hudson Pride will be providing Gender Minority Sensitivity in the Workplace training to the dedicated employees at SPECTRAFORCE.
In return, SPECTRAFORCE has generously offered to support Hudson Pride’s mission in several ways. They will provide free virtual workforce education sessions to our clients, enabling them to enhance their skills and knowledge. Additionally, SPECTRAFORCE will offer virtual mentoring to ten referred Hudson Pride clients each year, helping them prepare for employment opportunities.
Hudson Pride takes pride in fostering affirming workplaces and partnering with SPECTRAFORCE to promote inclusivity. Together, we will identify clients who can benefit from LGBTQ+ sensitivity training, ensuring welcoming and supportive professional environments for all.
Proposal in Jersey to Expand Women’s Healthcare, Improving Public Health & Health Equity in Partnership with Planned Parenthood
According to a press release, at this week’s City Council meeting, Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the Department of Health and Human Services introduced a resolution to expand Jersey City’s successful and innovative pilot partnership with Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey, increasing access to critical healthcare services for women and children living below the poverty line.
Since the June 2022 launch of the Women’s Empowerment: Education and Services (WEES) pilot, over 300 Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants in Jersey City have received life-changing services ranging from emergency visits to general checkups. This week’s resolution utilizes a $30,000 grant awarded to HHS to increase the number of patients served and create an informative, step-by-step WEES replication toolkit for other municipalities and organizations to mirror – ultimately increasing access on a much broader level to vital preventative health services for those who need it most.
Christmas in July Supply Drive Event for the Hoboken Shelter Announced
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Hoboken-based bakers Jordan and Joelle Hernandez, also known as Double Dough, have announced a Christmas in July supply and fundraising event for the Hoboken Shelter. The event will take place on July 19th in Shipyard Park and will be a holiday-style market with several local small businesses participating in addition to Double Dough, including Do Good Donuts, Nackies Dog Treats, Wicked Scents, Urban Souls Yoga, and more. Guests who bring new items will receive donations and freebies from market vendors.
Jersey City’s Anti-Cannabis Argument is
Rejected in Fired Cop Case
A judge has rejected Jersey City’s firing of a police officer who tested positive for cannabis, per the Jersey City Times. The Jersey City Police Department’s policy prohibits the use of cannabis both on- and off-duty, despite its legality in the state and a memo from the New Jersey Attorney General advising against that type of policy. Jersey City Police Officer Norhan Mansour was fired in April for testing positive for cannabis, despite no demonstrated impairments while on the job. She contested the firing, and the administrative law judge agreed with her. Jersey City was ordered to resume paying Mansour’s salary and provide backpay to the date of her termination.
Bayonne Local Makes Debut on The Bachelorette
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He’s from Bayonne and he’s looking for love on ABC’s The Bachelorette. Nick ‘Nic’ Barber, 31, is an Army veteran, according to The Daily Voice. The show airs on Monday nights on ABC at 9PM.
Two Winning Lottery Tickets Sold in Jersey City
According to a press release from the New Jersey Lottery, two winning lottery tickets were sold in Jersey City for the June 26th Powerball drawing. The prize was $50,000. One of the two tickets sold in Jersey City had the Power Play option, which quadrupled the winner’s prize to $200,000.
Jersey City Ranks High in Livability Study
Per NJ.com, two New Jersey cities rank among the top 100 in the US for best places to live by Livability, a website that ranks towns. Jersey City was ranked high for amenities, economy, and education. Clifton was the other NJ city included, which was given high marks for its numerous parks.
Congestion Pricing Proposal Moves Forward,
NJ Reps Vow to Push Back
A congestion pricing plan has been approved at the federal level, but several New Jersey electeds have vowed to push back. Per NJ.com, Federal Highway Administration officials said that a “Finding of No Significant Impact” will be issued and that the plan’s sponsors may advance in their application to FHWA’s Value Pricing Pilot Program. U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, D-N.J., and U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th Dist., Bill Pascrell, Jr. D-9th Dist., challenged the legitimacy of the FHWA’s decision when New Jersey was not involved in the process, while New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has issued a statement against the decision.
City of Hoboken Shares Designs for New Multi-Service Center
One of three proposed plans for the Multi-Service Center. Image courtesy of the City of Hoboken.
At a community meeting on June 29th, the City of Hoboken shared three proposed designs for the new multi-service center at 124 Grand Street. Per a press release, the proposals aim to transform the aging facility into a state-of-the-art senior and recreation center featuring a community pool, gymnasium, community meeting space, and more. All three concepts incorporate both indoor and outdoor recreation and community facilities within the current boundary of 124 Grand Street. The project team will use public feedback and a future online survey to create a final concept design for the Multi-Service Center in the coming months. Based on the final concept design, various cost estimates will be provided to the public. For more information, click here.
Jersey City Board of Education Approves Energy-Focused Improvement Plan
Per the Jersey City Times, the Jersey City Board of Education has approved an Energy Savings Improvement Plan, which is the largest of its kind in the state. The plan incorporates renewable energy sources within the school building and lessons about energy in the curriculum. Supporters say that investments in energy efficiency will save the district money.
Road Closures in Hoboken to Complete Vision Zero Improvements
The City resurfaced and repaved 13th Street between Adams and Madison Streets last month. Photo courtesy of the City of Hoboken.
Via a press release, the City of Hoboken announced a series of road closures. The City of Hoboken will partner with Hudson County to continue milling and paving operations and to install Vision Zero safety improvements to 19 blocks of roadway, with construction scheduled to begin on or about July 3. The infrastructure and pedestrian safety improvements will utilize low-interest loans from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank and grant funding from the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The road closures will begin on or around July 3rd. For a full list of closures, please click here.
Bridgeway Behavioral Health Opens in Hoboken
Bridgeway Behavioral Health is now open in Hoboken, per TapInto. The offices are located at 506 3rd Street. Bridgeway is a mental health and recovery resource with different levels of care throughout ten New Jersey counties, including urgent care and residential support.
Jersey City Community Meeting on Traffic, Road Safety
Per the Hudson County View, several Jersey City leaders held a community meeting about traffic and safety issues. Topics included all modes of transit including bike safety, problems with the PATH, speed limit enforcement, and congestion. Vision Zero and congestion pricing were also hot topics.
Eminent Domain Authorized for 50 Journal Square
At this week’s City Council meeting, Jersey City officials approved a proposal to use eminent domain to seize the property located at 50 Journal Square. Per the Hudson County View, the property known as the Tube Bar has fallen into disrepair since its closure as a music venue.
Because of the property’s proximity to the under-renovation Loew’s Theater and many other projects in the area, many want to see it turned into a park or pedestrian walkway.
