It is being appealed however, so we'll see.

The suit looks real good from this angle!

Wow that's some really interesting stuff, thanks for sharing!

Oh man, that sounds great, I'm getting hyped just thinking about the possibilities now. Thanks for telling me about it!

Wow, used to play SC4 as a kid, didn't realize there was still an active community playing it. Might have to pick it up again.

Yeah, especially when places like New York and other places are trying to shift their share of the problem onto Newark.

Same, I honestly find it pretty drab and ugly, but man, the area around Penn Station does not need another giant asphalt wasteland.

Wow, this is an absolutely gorgeous shot! How'd you take it?

There is value imo for historic preservation and having a community group to advocate for it, but it becomes an absolute joke when they utilize that position to obstinentinly object to good projects on grounds entirely unrelated to that issue.

You know I think we actually see eye to eye on most things, I basically agree 100% with all your proposals here. Housing first is the only way we're going to solve the homelessness problem, and while it's the official stance of the administration, it feels like progress is painfully slow. And seriously, hmu if you ever start a petition or something for turning ferry into a pedestrian only, that'd be the dream.

Unfortunately though, most projects require significant amounts of money, money that Newark scarcely has. Looking at schools for example, something like 80-90% of the funding comes not from Newark's property taxes, but from state and federal funding. Beyond fighting for more support from the state and federal government (which we should continue to do), that leaves the other group who controls massive amounts of capital: big businesses, as well as the more affluent crowd that will live in many of the new apartments. Big transformations will require large amounts of money. The best way forward is harnessing the resources of those forces, and using it to improve the city as much as possible, while making sure current residents get to enjoy the benefits without getting displaced. Imo better to focus on further tenant protections and getting close to real affordable housing for all than cutting off the big spigot of private capital.

>Did you know that NYC also has more empty housing than homelessness? Most vacancies are not just empty, ready to move in apartments, that aren't on the market.

>none of the affordable units that will be going to are 2 bedrooms. Families don’t need affordable housing?

I agree, that's not ideal. But imo there's value in not letting perfect be the enemy of good.

>Almost like continuing to develop new rentals for the sole purpose of making more money for the developer

The result is not just the developer making money. It's also providing a place to live for over 500 people. Unfortunately, very little happens in the world without a company making money along the way.

>And as a city government, this isn’t where we need to focus our energy.

You seem really passionate about this subject, genuinely curious, in your opinikn where should the city government focus its energy?

Bare minimum is still nearly 70 new units of affordable housing. And while they could still be more affordable, it's still something.

The issue is that prices everywhere have skyrocketed over the past 15 years. But NYC has not kept up its housing supply, and so its unfilled demand is overflowing into JC and then into here. That doesn't have to be a bad thing either, walking through the city past by the empty lots and boarded-up buildings it's obvious it's still not nearly full. There's plenty of room for old and new Newarker's to live here.

Think you might also enjoy this video on vacancies in the U.S: https://youtu.be/3xZXdXxYBGU

I walk by there almost every day, and seeing them knocked down was so disappointing. The larger building on the bottom was no looker, but the ones above were really quite nice, and had a beautiful mural painted on it. I was really hoping they'd at least be replaced with some new developments (Both buildings had been abandoned for a while now). But ofc, we're just getting more parking lots instead, exactly what we need.

I'd be down to go. This sub has really been moving in an activist direction, and I think meeting in person would only strengthen that.

Stay safe, I appreciate how much you care about the community.

The cheerful attitude is a bit odd here, unless there’s something really good lined up to replace the 7/11. I do think this could be a good thing if a better business (coffee shop, cafe?) replaces it, just hope it doesn’t sit empty for long. The building is beautiful and it’s a prime location.

I live in the ironbound and love it. Like the other poster said, big immigrant community, mostly working class. Very walkable and lots of great food, and good transit access. I haven't had issues with crime and feel generally safe walking around, but it does happen occasionally.

Yeah, very interesting, but rough to listen to. I was honestly shocked about how mad the lawyer was getting.

East Ward is simple, it primarily consists of the Ironbound, and the dividing line is the train line going into Newark Penn station.

Is there any specific procedure for speaking? I'd love to lend my voice in support, but I'm not especially familiar with the operations of these sorts of meetings.