The life of a firefighter is no easy task, skillfully trained they put out hazardous fires and immediately come to the rescue of the communities they work for, but in order to accomplish this they must have the facilities needed to do so.

In the winter of 2008 firefighters of two former Bayonne firehouses were relocated to the Peninsula and were currently responding to emergencies from a temporary facility which consisted of a tent and two trailers, determine and dedicated they work effortlessly under these conditions. Seemingly it seemed no hope was in store, but thanks to the collaborated efforts of Mayor Mark Smith, Fire Chief Greg Rogers, Chris Patella and a great congressional team of U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg, Robert Menendez and Congressman Albio Sires, Bayonne has received the sixth highest grant award in the nation.

The $3.5 million Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) grant know as the (SCG) Fire Station Construction Grant was created to assist applicants with the building and reconstruction of fire stations and is part of the stimulus package known as the (ARRA) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is intended to provide a stimulus to the U.S. economy in the wake of an economic downturn.

In selecting grant recipients the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) gives high priority to projects that would replace unsafe or uninhabitable structures and expand fire protection coverage.

In a public announcement held on October 5th in front of the City Hall Fire Station, Senator Frank Lautenberg explained ,”This investment in Bayonne’s public safety infrastructure will provide firefighters with the facilities they need to best protect the community. Securing one of the largest firehouse construction grants in the country will improve conditions for Bayonne firefighters and help them continue their tradition of excellence”, he concluded.

Senator Robert Menendez also commented on this great accomplishment, “With this badly needed investment, those who deserve our attention most are getting the help they need, and Bayonne and all of us in New Jersey are the beneficiaries.”

In a collaborate effort both New Jersey senators and Congressman Sires worked together to bring to Bayonne much needed relief in these tough economic times. Bayonne Fire Chief Greg Rogers was extremely grateful and proud of this amazing stride, he explained, “Today is the day I’ve been waiting for; a tremendous weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I am proud to say, the men of the Bayonne Fire Department stationed at the Peninsula, will no longer operate from the inadequate confines of a tent and trailers, but will elevate to a new dignified and highly functional modern day state-of-the-art fire station.
“I am privileged today, to find myself in the company of high-ranking dignitaries, Senator Lautenburg, Senator Menendez, Representative Albio Sires, and Mayor Mark Smith. They are all here today in support of this victory, and it is clear, that by their collective support, we’ve achieved this success.”

Congressman Albio Sires also commented on this incredible accomplishment, “Our new station will increase the capabilities of Bayonne’s fire department to protect communities from fire hazards while at the same time creating jobs and healing the 13th district’s economy. I am happy to have supported Bayonne’s application for this grant earlier this month. I am pleased that the Department of Homeland Security has recognized the value of this project to our district‘s security and economic growth”, he concluded.

The funds received from this grant will go towards the building of a new state-of-the-art fire station. The plan consist of building a new 15,000 square foot facility on a 1.8 acre vacant lot northeast of the current temporary location.

As Mayor Mark Smith address his audience he explained, “This important grant will allow us to build a brand new fire station to meet the needs of our community without an increase in property taxes.” “Senator Lautenberg, Senator Menedez and Congressman Sires have once again, proven themselves to be true friends of New Jersey’s citizens by looking out for the public safety of our children, our families and our senior citizens. They are a great congressional team, who fought hard for the City of Bayonne.”

The post Bayonne Fire Department Receives the Sixth Highest Grant Award in the Nation $3.5.M first appeared on River View Observer.

Light Rail Ground-Breaking: At 8th Street in Bayonne, NJ Transit leaders and several federal, state, county, and municipal officials took part in a ceremony that marked the start of construction of the latest Light Rail extension. During the next two years, the Light Rail tracks will be extended southward from 22nd Street to 8th Street.  A viaduct will be built to carry the rail line from 11th Street to 8th Street.  A new station will be built at 8th Street and Avenue C.  Completion of the project is expected in 2010.  (Photo credit: Kimberly Lewis. )

On October 15, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez and Congressman Albio Sires
joined NJ Transit Executive Director Richard Sarles and Bayonne Mayor Terrence Malloy to break ground on a project to extend Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service farther into a new station at 8th Street.

    At the ceremony, Malloy pointed out that the new 8th Street station will be only one block from the downtown shopping district.  By extending the Light Rail to 8th Street, Malloy said, NJ Transit would be uniting Bayonne with the rest of the waterfront communities.  He predicted an “economic
renaissance” for Bayonne.
    In a statement before the ceremony, U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg said,
“With New Jerseyans forced to deal with congestion and high gas prices, we
need options that get cars off the road and help people spend less time in
traffic.”  He continued, “By securing more than a billion dollars in federal
funding for this light rail line along our Hudson Waterfront, we are making
rail available to more commuters in our state – and improving our quality of life.”
    Speaking at 8th Street, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez recalled when the
Light Rail system was “simply a vision” and not yet a reality.  He credited
Congressman Sires for his support of mass transit in the House of
Representatives.  Menendez also thanked New Jersey Transit for building the Light Rail “on time and on budget.”  Citing a Rutgers University study,
Menendez said that the Light Rail system had led to the construction of
10,000 housing units and the creation of “walkable communities.”  Overall,
Menendez praised the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail for producing jobs, easier
commutes, and cleaner air.  He called for extending the train line to the
Meadowlands.
    Congressman Albio Sires thanked Menendez for supporting mass transit during his years on the Transportation Committee in the House of Representatives.
Sires said he was looking for additional mass transit benefits for this
area, and had brought Chairman Jim Oberstar of the House Transportation
Committee to Hudson County to show him local transit needs.  Before the
Light Rail system was planned, Sires said, an earlier transportation concept
for the region was a bus line.  He observed that this area is really “fit
for a train” instead.  Sires endorsed the idea of a Light Rail link from
Hudson County to the Meadowlands.
    State Senator Sandra Cunningham called the 8th Street extension “a
wonderful addition to Bayonne” that allows for easier commutes to New York City and Jersey City.  She applauded the concept of building a new 8th
Street station that would be modeled after the old one.
    Assemblyman and Council Member At-Large Anthony Chiappone recalled passing the old 8th Street station when he walked to grammar school.  He predicted that the 8th Street rail line would “enhance property values.”  Chaippone thanked the federal and state governments for supporting the construction of the Light Rail system.
    Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise recalled Bayonneâ€s “wonderful past,” and said that “investments like this [Light Rail] ensure a great future.” Citing the population growth of cities, DeGise advocated mass transit systems that “put people where jobs are.” He thanked Menendez and Sires for their help with transit issues. DeGise said, “The only thing better than a
ground-breaking is a ribbon-cutting.”
    In April 2008, the NJ Transit Board of Directors awarded a $58.4 million
contract to George Harms Construction, Inc. of Howell, NJ, for work to
extend the rail line one mile from its current southern terminus at 22nd
Street.  The project includes the design and construction of foundations
viaduct structure, track work, intersection improvements, a new station
building, landscaping, lighting, and customer amenities.
    From the elevated 22nd Street station, the light rail tracks will be
extended south, hugging the existing Conrail right-of-way along Avenue E. 

A viaduct will carry light rail vehicles over local streets to an elevated
platform at the new 8th Street Station, which will feature an elevator and
stairs between street and platform levels.
    As a result of community meetings, the station will be located at Avenue C
and 8th Street, with architecture reminiscent of the old Central Railroad of
New Jersey station that once stood near the site.
    The project is expected to be completed in 2010.  Once open, 8th Street
will be the 24th Hudson-Bergen Light Rail station.

The post Bayonne Ground-Breaking Ceremony Held for 8th Street Light Rail Extension first appeared on River View Observer.