Last week, in our City Council Chambers, Bayonne residents had their first opportunity to view plans in person for the proposed 34^th Street pedestrian bridge.  Once plans are finalized, that bridge will be constructed over Route 440 between the 34^th Street Light Rail Station and the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor (the former Military Ocean Terminal).

          There is a clear need for better, safer ways for pedestrians to cross Route 440 than running across the highway.  Lives and public safety are at stake. Pedestrians have died in the Route 440 corridor in recent years. The need for safe pedestrian crossings has increased as economic development has taken place in the Route 440 corridor. There are various locations where pedestrian bridges could be placed along that highway.  We decided to start with the 34^th Street Light Rail area because there is already a pedestrian overpass there linking the Light Rail station with the parking lot. This proposed bridge would connect directly to the existing Light Rail passenger overpass.  TY Lin, the engineering firm that has the contract for the bridge concept development study, has offered various options for solving the pedestrian safety problem around 34^th Street and Route 440.  The engineers have presented options that include various types of bridges and upgrading the highway crossing without building a bridge. Letâ€s be clear.  We want a bridge.

The staff of TY Lin believes the best option or preferred alternative would be a single-span, prefabricated, steel truss bridge over Route 440.  This proposal would include fully enclosed stairs and an elevator building at the east landing of the bridge, across the highway from the station.  That plan would offer a sidewalk at the east landing that would connect to the sidewalk on Goldsborough Drive and at Port Terminal Boulevard.  They are major streets at the former Military Ocean Terminal. The engineers envision a twelve-foot-wide space inside the bridge to provide safe access for pedestrians and bicycles. At the public information session on August 2, members of the public suggested that the bridge be enclosed for safety reasons.  Several residents also called for more sidewalks in the Route 440 corridor.

At the City Council Caucus on Wednesday, August 9, at 6:00 p.m., TY Lin will offer a presentation about the proposed bridge to our City Council Members.  This Caucus meeting will be televised on Optimum cable Channel 78 and on Verizon Fios Channel 42.  We expect at least one more opportunity after that for the public to offer comments in person about the bridge proposal. 

This bridge project began when the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority awarded Bayonne a $550,000 planning grant.  Later, the City of Bayonne received more than $4 million in federal funds for bridge construction through the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority.  The federal money came from the Liberty Corridor program, a transportation aid package that Senator Bob Menendez championed when he was still in the House of Representatives.  

Where do things stand now?  There is a concept for the bridge, along with a preferred option for building that bridge.  We have more than $4 million for construction.  After receiving more public input, we can move towards preliminary engineering, then to the final design of the bridge, and, ultimately, to construction. 

As we continue making progress on this project, I would like to thank all of our residents who have offered ideas and expressed concerns about the safety issues on Route 440.   If you would like to offer comments or suggestions to TY Lin about the proposed pedestrian bridge, please go to https://34thstbayonnepedestrianbridge.com/contact.

We look forward to working with the New Jersey Department of Transportation to provide more safe crossings in the Route 440 corridor.  

The post Bayonne Mayor James Davis -PROGRESS TOWARDS A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE first appeared on River View Observer.

            Before an audience of more than 250 people in the City Council Chambers on Sunday, July 1, Mayor Jimmy Davis and Bayonneâ€s five City Council Members took their oaths of office for new terms in municipal government.  The event featured remarks by Governor Phil Murphy, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, Hudson County Freeholder Kenneth Kopacz, and former City Council President Joseph Makowski.  There were also prayers and reflections by Coptic Orthodox Vice Pope and Bishop David, Pastor Dorothy Patterson of the Wallace Temple AME Zion Church, and Father John Fencik of St. Maryâ€s Orthodox Church. The Cityâ€s Chief Financial Officer and former Mayor Terrence Malloy served as master of ceremonies.

            Originally scheduled to be held outdoors, the inaugural ceremony was moved to the Council chambers, due to the severe heat.

            Senator Menendez administered the oath of office to Mayor Davis.  In his inaugural remarks, Mayor Davis cited his teamâ€s “collective commitment to make Bayonne the best it can be.”  Mayor Davis said his task was reinforcing “Bayonneâ€s standing as the jewel” of Hudson County. He stressed various changes and improvements in the community, notably the “real estate boom,” the coming ferry service, and the reconstruction of both the Bayonne Bridge and the Turnpikeâ€s 14A toll plaza.   â€œNo doubt,” he said, “we are moving forward.” During his second term, Mayor Davis pledged to “capitalize on the unique opportunities available to us.”

            Mr. Malloy described First Ward Council Member Thomas Cotter as someone who “works tirelessly” on the park issue and on bringing art and music to Broadway. City Clerk Robert F. Sloan administered the oath of office to Council Member Cotter.  In his remarks, Mr. Cotter thanked the people of Bayonne, his wife, and family.  He said that “just one voice” at a meeting can become “the voice of many.”   Council Member Cotter said that the 2016 election was “a win for you,” the people of Bayonne.”

            In introducing Second Ward Council Member Salvatore Gullace, Mr. Malloy recalled Mr. Gullaceâ€s successful efforts at bringing a ferris wheel free of charge to a recent Bayonne Hometown Fair.  Furthermore, the wheel operator made a donation to the Hometown Fair. County Executive DeGise administered the oath of office to Council Member Gullace.  In his remarks, Mr. Gullace cited the Councilâ€s willingness “to work hard to solve a lot of issues.”  He offered a commitment “to work as hard as I did the last four years.”  

            Mr. Malloy recalled Third Ward Council Member Gary LaPelusaâ€s efforts during an earlier term in office to keep Bayonne Medical Center open, “because he knew we needed the hospital.”  City Clerk Sloan administered the oath to Council Member LaPelusa.  In his remarks, Mr. LaPelusa cited Bayonneâ€s new development and tax ratables, and the reconstruction of municipal parks as important accomplishments.  He thanked his family, the campaign volunteers, and City Council Secretary Beth Polera.  Council Member LaPelusa called his elected position “the toughest job Iâ€ll ever love.”

            In introducing Council Member At-Large Juan Perez, Bayonne Law Director Jay Coffey said of him, “You canâ€t meet a nicer gentleman.”  Director Coffey said that Mr. Perez “always has many questions.”  County Executive DeGise administered the oath to Council Member Perez.   In his address, Mr. Perez said, “I look forward to continuing collaboration with organizations that provide services to Bayonne residents.”  He said that he would “pursue programs” to provide “a better quality of life for Bayonne residents.”  Council Member Perez called upon residents to “get involved.” 

            Director Coffey described Council Member At-Large Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski as someone who “learned very well and very quickly” how to be City Council  President.  City Clerk Sloan administered the oath to Council Member Ash-Nadrowski.  In her comments, Council Member Ashe-Nadrowski observed that the Council Members “worked together as a team” during the last four years.  She said that she was “very happy with the process.”  As a result of the elected officials†efforts, she said, we have
“a much greater city.”  

            During the City Council reorganization at the ceremony, the Council Members re-elected Ashe-Nadrowski Council President unanimously.  

            Governor Murphy thanked Mayor Davis for their “shared values.”  The stateâ€s chief executive cited Bayonneâ€s “vibrant diversity” and “business community optimism.”  Calling Bayonne “a gateway to our state,” Governor Murphy pledged that “Bayonne will not be a forgotten city.”

            Senator Menendez said that Bayonne “exemplified what America is all about.”  Menendez recalled the funding he has obtained for Bayonne during his years in both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.   He cited funding for reinforcing the bulkhead around the former Military Ocean Terminal, parts of which were sinking into the harbor.  Menendez also mentioned grants for the Bayonne Police Department and Fire Department that he obtained from the federal government. 

            County Executive DeGise called Mayor Davis “a great leader.”  Addressing City Council President Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski, County Executive DeGise, a former Jersey City Council President, called being Council President “the best job I ever had.”  DeGise said that Mayor Davis “will have your back.”  He called for continuing cooperation between the County of Hudson and the City of Bayonne. 

            In his remarks, Freeholder Kopacz recognized the many current and former officials who were in the audience at the event.

            Former City Council President Makowski expressed his approval of new construction in Bayonne.  He also praised the recent additions of art and flower pots on Broadway, and cited Bayonneâ€s “great recreational and cultural events.”  Rejecting outsiders†criticism of Bayonneâ€s homes, Makowski said that he was proud to live in what they have called “a Bayonne box.” 

            At the ceremony, Mike Wilson of Post 19 led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Ana Petrillo sang the National Anthem.  Rosemary Madera led the singing of God Bless America. Dave “Doc” Watson performed an instrumental version of America the Beautiful.  The Friendship Baptist Church Choir sang Every Praise. 

            Before the ceremony at City Hall, there was an inaugural Mass at St. Henryâ€s Church.  Clergy members from various denominations took part in the church service.  The Bayonne Police and Fire Pipes and Drums led the congregation from the church to City Hall.

            Mayor Davis said, “We are very honored that Bishop David, the Coptic Orthodox Vice Pope, came all the way from Buffalo to be with us at both the inaugural Mass and at the ceremony at City Hall.  His presence was a sign of the important role that the Coptic Christian community plays in our community.”

In the evening, a celebration featuring music, food, beverages, and fireworks took place at DiDomenico-16^th Street Park.

The post Bayonne’s Mayor Davis and City Council Sworn in for Second Terms first appeared on River View Observer.

On a hot July 1st day the City of Bayonne welcomed a  new Mayor and City Council with a mass celebrated at St. Henry’s Church and then the  official swearing in ceremony of Mayor -Elect James Davis and his City Council running mates: Sharon  Nadrowski, Juan Perez  Thomas Cotter,  Salvatore Gullace, and Gary LaPelusa Councilman  at Bayonne High School Auditorium.

Yesterday’s swearing -in ceremony presented some firsts in the History of Bayonne. Sharon Nadrowski,  elected the first woman Council President and Juan Perez the first Latino to sit as a councilman in the history of Bayonne.

After receiving the oath of office from Senator Bob Menendez, Mayor Davis promised “Good, honest and open government in Bayonne.”

Menendez later said when  speaking  about the Mayor  ” Mayor Davis that has a great ring to it.”  which was met by a thunderous applause by the the family, friends of the new Mayor and his City Council.

Along with Senator Menendez, Congressman Albiro Sires was in attendance and many other current and former dignitaries and politicians from Hudson County.

The post Bayonne Mayor James M. Davis and City Council Swearing in Ceremony July 1st, 2014 first appeared on River View Observer.

Smashing Opening for Son Cubano at The Shops at Riverwalk

Son Cubano restaurant celebrated its opening at The Shops at Riverwalk in West New York and promises more exciting events to come, including a New Year’s Eve celebration.

Pictured at Grand Opening Celebration for Son Cubano Restaruant Edward Duran, Claudia Caraballo, Alex Duran, Diana Gouchee and Kevin Gouchee    

Bergen/Hudson County, NJ, 22 December 2010 – After months of anticipation, the highly awaited opening of Son Cubano at The Shops at Riverwalk was a smashing success this past week.  The Duran-Gouchee family was able to bring the sweet sounds and flavors of the Caribbean to its latest restaurant venture in West New York.

Upon arrival at the opening, guests marveled at the fine décor of Son Cubano.  The spacious restaurant had dramatic lighting with sparkling chandeliers and candlelit tables that added to the alluring atmosphere.  The colorful paintings hanging on the walls were a representation of Cuban culture and tradition.  While the group, El Gallito del Son, provided musical entertainment for the evening that kept the guests dancing, comfortable tables and booths invited people to enjoy the variety of drinks and food while soaking in the festive atmosphere.

The glamorous evening was a true celebration of Cuban culture and, above all, culinary delights.  The focus of Son Cubano is to bring delectable Cuban dishes to its public and the opening delivered nothing but exquisite plates.  Hors d’oeuvres were handed out during the evening and kept guests satisfied with their bold Latin flavors and seasonings.  Guests spent the night devouring a plethora of drinks and dishes ranging from scrumptious empanadas de rabo encendido to lobster ceviche and croquetas de bacalao (cod croquettes).  Drinks were another huge crowd-pleaser as the bar was abuzz all night with guests enjoying a long list of drinks, especially the classic Cuban cocktail, the mojito.       

Son Cubano at The Shops at Riverwalk is off to a busy start with its successful opening and plans to continue with upcoming events like its New Year’s Eve celebration.  The restaurant plans to ring in the New Year with a prix fixe menu and open bar or guests can come and enjoy a cash bar.  Call 201.624.1150 to find out more information about the festivities, to make a reservation or to get a gift certificate that can be enjoyed at any time of the year.  If the opening is any indication, the New Year’s Eve event will be a celebration to remember.

The post Son Cubano – New Restaurant Opens in West New York, New Jersey first appeared on River View Observer.