In what was described as an “emotional meeting,” the City Council voted to empower the city to take possession of 50 Journal Square, an eight story office building, through purchase or eminent domain, despite opposition from the owner and some residents. The city plans to demolish the building and use the space to create a pathway for commuters heading to the PATH train across the street.
Jill Quentzel, one of the owners of the property, spoke before the vote was taken saying her family has owned the property for 100 years and has lived in Jersey City for 40 years. She said she would like to work with the city to redevelop the property and that, “Eminent domain is not a fair response, … Don’t take the building from us.”
However, the city claims the owners let the building deteriorate over the years making it an eyesore detracting from the Loew’s theater next door, which is undergoing a $72 million renovation, as well as all the other new development taking place nearby.
While Councilman Rich Boggiano, who represents the area was not there for the vote, he voiced his opposition to the acquisition and demolition of the building, adding: “The city needs to take care of Jersey City residents and history.” Councilman Frank Gilmore was the only council member who voted against the resolution saying it should be postponed for further review.
Members of the community expressed their views as well. Christopher Perez, president of the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy, said the building had historical significance and could be renovated because, “it is a prime candidate for adaptive reuse as community and cultural space, affordable housing, retail, or other uses.” Patrick Hambrecht, Vice President of the Lincoln Park North Block Association, also emphasized the historical importance of the building and lamented the loss of the pub/lounge that used to occupy the first floor of the building and which he said provided the only music in the area for decades:
“I understand the Loew’s is a big music venue that will open in the future and will bring out-of-towners. This is a local music venue for locals and is of enormous importance. I hope you will consider working with the owners to reopen the Journal Square Lounge or create a music venue like it.”
Patrick Hambrecht
Erica Walker, Ward F Councilman Frank Gilmore,’s chief of staff, speaking for herself, said: “I feel like the city should challenge itself to do a much better job of helping residents who have been here to take advantage of the growth of this city, as opposed to allowing developers to be the ones who are primarily benefiting from the growth of this city,”
The city’s Business Manager, John Metro responded to residents’ concerns saying: “It [new pathway] is for a public use. It’s not for a developer, unlike what we’ve heard tonight … we’re talking about creating a public space for residents. It’s not a business decision for us.”
Before the City Council voted on demolishing 50 Journal Square, the Jersey Journal came out in favor of keeping the building citing its historical significance as well as seeing its conversion into a walkway as a “gift” to developers who are constructing two luxury housing towers behind it.
Jersey Journal
Urged against the takeover and demolition of the building
Argued for its historical significance
Sees the conversion into a walkway as a “gift” to developers
Resident concerns over the demolition of 50 Journal Square can be seen against the backdrop of the redevelopment of Journal Square and the neighborhoods around it. Dozens of luxury housing projects have been completed or are underway. And, as mentioned in a previous blog post, over 22,000 market rate housing units have been completed, are under construction, or approved for development in the Journal Square area.
One of the notable exceptions to all the market rate housing rising near the proposed new pathway is a 26 story mixed-use building approved for construction above C.H. Martin on the other side of the Loew’s theater. In exchange for several zoning ordinance variances, the developers must set aside 10 percent of the housing units as affordable. However, these variances added to the property value of the project, especially the extra two floors and additional 32 units the developers were allowed. And, as Jersey Digs noted, it would make this project, “one of the few developments in Journal Square to include an affordable housing component.”
The failure of the city to include the housing needs of most of the city’s workers and families in the redevelopment of Journal Square has prompted some residents to put forward a more inclusive redevelopment plan for the area. As far back as 2021, the Journal Square Community Association, put forward a plan that would require new developments with 30 or more units to set aside 20% of them as affordable for residents earning 60% or less of the area’s median income. An additional requirement was that these units stay affordable for 50 years, which is twice the amount of time now applied to this kind of housing.
Was 50 Journal Square another lost opportunity for the city’s residents? Some of the speakers at the meeting suggested that 50 Journal Square could have been redeveloped to provide housing for residents so that they too could share in the benefits of the city’s growth.
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Jersey City Today 