Jersey City council adopts Grand Street tax abatement
The council approved Ordinance 25-101 on a 6-2-1 vote for a Grand Street project with 400 units, including 62 affordable homes.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — adoption referenced, second reading and adoption, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
Backers called the abatement a way to secure affordable housing downtown; critics said a 30-year PILOT cuts school revenue and shifts costs elsewhere.
A long-running housing argument landed in one council vote. Jersey City adopted Ordinance 25-101, which speakers described as a 30-year tax abatement, or PILOT, for a Grand Street project in Paulus Hook. The development was repeatedly described as two high-rise towers with 400 residential units, including 15% affordable housing. Speakers and council members cited that as 62 affordable homes. The final vote was six in favor, two opposed, and one abstention.
Public comment took up much of the discussion. Supporters said the deal would add nearly 70 affordable homes downtown, expand a nursery school, and bring retail space, arguing an abatement was the tool that made that mix possible. Opponents said abatements shift the tax burden to homeowners, send no school tax revenue through the usual property-tax system, and do not belong in a sought-after neighborhood. Several asked the council to deny or table the ordinance. Speakers also argued over the money, comparing annual PILOT payments of about $2.4 million or $2.5 million with about $3.4 million in regular property taxes.
Council members split over whether this project fit the city's housing policy. Councilperson Solomon said he had supported extra height for affordable housing before, but opposed a one-off abatement and wanted a consistent policy tied to a 20% affordable threshold. Council President Gilmore said the numbers did not make sense financially and noted the project was already required to provide 15% affordable housing under city law. Councilperson Rivera said this was the first project under the inclusionary zoning ordinance and said part of the abatement money would go to schools as written. The ordinance is now adopted.
Second reading and adoption: Amend Chapter 207 (Laundries and dry cleaners)
The council made a quieter change to the city code on laundries and dry cleaners. On second reading, members took up Ordinance 25-072, which amends and supplements Chapter 207 covering coin-operated dry cleaners and laundries.
The public hearing drew no recorded testimony. A motion was made and seconded to close the hearing, and the council approved that step by roll call vote.
On final consideration, the council adopted Ordinance 25-072 by an 8-0 vote. Councilperson Bajiano was absent. The meeting record did not include debate over the substance of the changes, but the ordinance now advances as an approved update to the chapter governing those businesses.
City marks park's 75th anniversary
The administration listed Resolution 25-368 to honor the 75th anniversary of Marty Manic Inright Memorial Park. The caucus discussion did not include added details about an event, dates, or programming, and no vote was recorded there.
memorial
City renews Verizon wireless services contract
The administration presented Resolution 25-390 for a renewal contract with Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless for city cellular service under a state contract. The agreement covers cell phones, tablets, and Wi-Fi devices used for city business, though the meeting record did not give a clean total amount.
large dollar figure ($1,430,004)
Canon contract would cover city copy machines
The administration presented Resolution 25-394 to award Canon USA a citywide lease and maintenance contract for copy machines through a New Jersey state contract. The discussion included a temporary encumbrance of 70,000 from the Department of Public Works operating account, with no debate or vote recorded in caucus.
large dollar figure ($2,700,000)
Late housing plan item cites June deadline
Assistant Corporation Counsel John McKenna introduced late-added Resolution 25-456 backing the Planning Board's adoption of the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan. He said the plan commits the city to rehabilitating 3,733 affordable housing units and helps protect Jersey City from builder's remedy lawsuits before a June 30 deadline.
litigation
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Jersey City had 1362 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEChange order for City Hall fire alarm system modifications (HEG Service Corporation). A resolution was presented to authorize a change order to HEG Service Corporation increasing the contract by $5,200 (from $39,780 to $44,980) for unforeseen fire alarm system modifications at City Hall, funded from account 0120126295314.
- GOVERNANCEAward of contract for armed and unarmed security guard services (Gateway Security / Gateway Group). A resolution was presented to award a three-year contract to Gateway Security (Gateway Group) for armed and unarmed security guard services at various City facilities, totaling $11,811,118.73. Council discussed prior extensions, performance, budget alignment, and whether security scheduling would remain scaled back.
- GOVERNANCEPublic comment: Traffic safety, Vision Zero, enforcement, and street design after the death of a 6-year-old child. Multiple residents and advocates urged immediate action after the death of a 6-year-old child, calling for stronger traffic enforcement, hardened infrastructure, a 20 mph speed limit, automated enforcement, and full implementation of Vision Zero. Speakers criticized city leadership and requested accountability and funding.
- GOVERNANCEReappoint member to Jersey City Cannabis Control Board (Britney Bunny). Resolution 25-488 (agenda item 10.32) was listed to reappoint Britney Bunny to the Jersey City Cannabis Control Board. Council discussed that the board was reconstituted by a recently passed ordinance, that someone had resigned and was reapplying under changed rules, and that the board needs appointments to reach quorum and restart meetings.
- GOVERNANCEFirst reading: Acquire real property (Block 2753, Lot 13) at Chapel Avenue for continued ferry service to the public. Ordinance 25-081 was introduced on first reading to authorize the city to acquire real property known as Block 2753, Lot 13 on the city tax map, located at Chapel Avenue, from Liberty National Development Corporation LLC to ensure continued ferry service to the public.
- GOVERNANCECancel unexpended funds from 2020 NJDEP PAYS Plug grant. A representative (Amanda) presented Resolution 25-457 to cancel unexpended funds from a 2020 NJDEP PAYS Plug grant: the city was awarded 48,000, expended 47,596,000, leaving an ending balance of 44; the grant was closed and the unexpended funds needed to be canceled.
- GOVERNANCEAward contract to Witson’s Food Service for senior home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels). The HHS food and nutrition representative presented Resolution 25-470 to award a competitively bid contract to Witson’s Food Service for preparing senior home-delivered meals, not to exceed 1.3 million. The RFP process, scoring, menu requirements, and cost impacts were described, including service to about 500 homebound seniors.
- GOVERNANCEAward 5-year lease for scooters for parking enforcement division. Resolution 25-483 (agenda item 10.27) was presented to authorize an award contract lease with NCL Capital for a 5-year lease of 10 scooters for the public safety parking enforcement division, totaling 90 with annual payments of 91,253.78 beginning May 20, 2026.
- GOVERNANCEPublic comment: rent control enforcement and Portside Towers / Equity Residential allegations. Multiple tenant advocates and residents urged enforcement of City housing laws and fines, focusing on alleged long-term noncompliance by Equity Residential at Portside Towers. Speakers cited requirements for 24/7 uniform security, superintendent contact information, and rent registration, and argued that daily per-tenant fines could generate significant revenue and protect residents.
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