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SWA Group and the Jersey City Department of Infrastructure held a community meeting last night about the $14 million County Courthouse Park that will be built on the site of the Hudson County Administration building.

By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View

The administration is moving to new offices currently being built in what will be the Honorable Frank J. Guarini Justice complex. Transforming the 3.4-acre site into a versatile park will cost $14 million and is anticipated to be completed in 2027.

“We know how important it is for this community, which lacks any usable green space … It will be the largest in the area,” Jersey City Infrastructure Director Barkha Patel declared.

She explained that the city has been working to increase parks and green space in the area partly by working on the new Bergen Square and the Bergen Arches projects.

She noted advocates pushed for the land to be preserved as green space. Courthouse Park advocacy group leader Laura Moss explained they’ve been working on this endeavor since about 2018.

“We’re advocating for everyone here. It’s been a tricky balance. The city said they want to hear from the residents,” she noted.

“Everything is moving forward. It’s just taking a long time. I never imagined we’d be here five years ago.”

There are some environmental issues with the land that must be addressed, Patel noted.

Hudson County is in the process of transferring the land to Jersey City, with the Board of Commissioners and Jersey City City Council have been working together, which will speed up the process, Patel explained.

While the city will build it and own the land, the county will maintain it.

“We had to take a really serious look at the underground parking garage. We went through a structural analysis. It said it is not structurally sound. That garage will not be retained. It will just be a park on top of it,” Patel added.

She was also forthcoming in that it would take millions of dollars to rehabilitate the garage, as well as that the county commissioners already approved the transfer of the land to the city.

“It’s not a simple and straightforward issue. They’re exploring where … they can build and add parking. For us it was important for us to not compromise too much. There is such a need for green space,” Patel later said.

Moss noted she didn’t believe the new complex would have enough parking spots.

“They are aware. I don’t want to commit the county to anything. We need to move forward in this project without the parking garage,” Patel replied.

She noted the city is going to build the park, but the county is going to maintain it.

Moss also criticized the county and their process and praised Patel for her work on the park.

SWA Group Associate Principal Steven Lee described their park design, not that it incorporated a lot of feedback from the public on what they wanted.

The park will have an abundance of shade and trees, including a space for community events and farmers markets, along with walkways and plazas throughout.

Inside will be a dog park, a children’s playground, outdoor fitness equipment, and a multi-use lawn, coupled with pavilions, a cafe, and restrooms. Two thirds of the proposed design will include grass, plants, and/or trees.

SWA Group Managing Principal Tom Balsley, pointing out that the slopped land will feature a large fountain where children can play in the summer. The area can also be converted into seating for an outdoor show.

He said the park could accommodate community events like outdoor movies and concerts, with Lee stating that the designs have not been finalized.

“This park could be a victim of its success,” Moss said, noting that the grass may not last for long and an alternative should be considered.

“We really want to stay away from things like turf. That has been a guiding principal,” Patel replied.

Balsley said the nature of the sloped land will decrease the likelihood of too many visitors ruining the grass, while Patel highlighted that the city is coordinating with the municipal utilities authority (MUA) on infrastructure issues.

The fifth and final workshop meeting will be in June after feedback is incorporated into what will be the final Master Plan, which is necessary before construction begins.

Development partners Alpine Residential and Fields Grade are celebrating a significant milestone at Starling, the boutique collection of 39 luxury apartments in Jersey City’s resurgent Bergen-Lafayette.

Occupancy is underway at the six-story building, which is now home to renters enjoying a high-end apartment lifestyle that blends modern residences, a package of inspired amenities and convenient location at 66 Monitor St., steps from Liberty State Park and a short trip to downtown Jersey City and Manhattan.

Starling features a mix of studio to three-bedroom homes and apartments, priced from $2,595, and offered with limited-time incentives that include up to two months free. South Oxford Management, an affiliated company of Alpine Residential, is handling its leasing program and management.

“We are proud to welcome our first residents to Starling,” Todd Schefler, managing partner of Alpine Residential, said. “Our initial move-ins have truly brought this beautiful building to life. The early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive as residents embrace boutique living in a lively neighborhood that’s quickly filling up with delectable food and dining options, quaint cafes, nightlife and community services and amenities.”

With architecture by GRT Architects, Starling artfully fuses modern aesthetics with historic charm, paying homage to its past through the careful preservation of a century-old building’s façade that once adorned the site. The exterior is joined inside by a double-height lobby that features reclaimed trusses and wood finishes salvaged from its original structure. These elements were also repurposed to craft furniture found throughout the property’s common spaces.

Residences at Starling feature oversized windows with complimentary treatments, luxury plank flooring throughout, custom modular closets, in-home washer and dryer, smart lock entry and remote thermostats. Gourmet kitchens boast stainless steel Energy Star appliances, Quartz countertops with a waterfall edge, Kohler fixtures, under-cabinet lighting and full-height tiled back splashes. Sleek bathrooms are adorned with Kohler fixtures, full height tiled baths and showers and soft close cabinetry. Select homes offer outdoor terraces.

Starling’s suite of amenities include a rooftop lounge, outdoor dining and seating area, state-of-the-art fitness center, coworking spaces and a golf simulator. Services encompass a virtual doorman, package room, bike storage, access to electric scooters and Tulu, an on-demand smart rental store offering high-quality household and lifestyle products.

Throughout Starling, a carefully curated collection of artwork captures the essence of Jersey City’s vibrant art scene. From murals by world-renowned artists to the diverse architecture and neighborhood life, the collection celebrates the city’s creativity. Upon entering the building, residents and guests are welcomed by works showcasing Jersey City’s street art scene, a theme that continues throughout amenities spaces adorned with local art and stocked with books from local authors, providing a connection to the Jersey City art community.

Street-level retail spaces at Starling will soon be filled by MochiDough/BoberTea, a premium Japanese donut and bubble tea shop, and the Roxy, a new venture from some of the team behind Corto in Jersey City Heights.

For additional information on Starling, click here.

For many New Jersey residents, the trek to and from New York City has become a part of the 2024 work week, with many offices requiring in-person time. As more workers return to the office, such commuters might be in for a rather rude awakening. An additional toll for NJ commuters entering New York called the ‘Congestion Pricing Plan’ has passed in its final vote. Here’s what the NYC Congestion Pricing Plan means for New Jersey residents, including new fees + regulations.

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) had planned an additional toll for commuters headed into New York City’s business hub, south of 60th Street. This “congestion pricing plan” aims to discourage individuals from driving into the most crowded parts of Manhattan, thus curtailing a negative environmental impact and reducing traffic overall.

Read More: Zero Deaths in 7 Years, But What’s the Real Story of Traffic Injuries in Hoboken?

While it currently costs up to almost $18 to commute into the city via Port Authority tunnels or bridges in a two-axle or single-wheel vehicle, the additional toll would cost anywhere from $9 to $35 simply to enter the “congestion zone.” The $1 billion a year collected from drivers would then be used to fund public transportation projects.

As far as the actual pricing, reports now share that:

The MTA board overwhelmingly voted to approve congestion pricing in December, saying charging drivers to enter a swath of Manhattan would contribute millions of dollars to the aging transit system.

Officials on this side of the Hudson, including Governor Phil Murphy, have been largely opposed to such a hike, noting that it would unfairly impact Garden State commuters. Many feel that because New Jersey drivers already pay a toll to enter the city, paying to enter the congestion zone would present a double tax.

A main tenet of the plan is to encourage the use of public transportation, and the revenue generated would be solely allocated towards New York’s MTA-controlled transit. Ironically, NJ Transit is also considering a 15% increase in its rates starting in the summer of 2025.

As a result, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy attempted to block the plan, and still vows to fight it, despite the final approval. Some compromises that had been proposed include the introduction of new commuter credits or funds to services such as NJ Transit or PATH.

See More: Proposal Approved to Reduce Speed Limits in Montclair: What to Know

New Jerseyans are not alone in feeling unduly burdened. City dwellers who live in the outer boroughs have also voiced concerns that their communities would bear additional costs for an initiative that would bring cleaner air, reduced noise, and less gridlock to Manhattan. Despite the proposed environmental and traffic-related potential positives, residents in both outer boroughs and in Manhattan itself worry that they will be caught with extra expenses when traveling or will see local prices inflate to match the cost of transporting goods. Taxi advocates have also been opposed to the plan, Proponents of the plan say that the communities intertwined with New York City via the workforce will only be propelled by Manhattan’s infrastructure upgrades.

Follow @thehobokengirl on Instagram and TikTok for the latest Hoboken + Jersey City happenings, and sign up for our weekly newsletter here.

Pictured here: Hudson County Community College instructors Heather Connors, Karen Hosick, Laura Samuelsen, and Carrie Rong Xiao.Photo Credit: Hudson County Community College

By Hudson County Community College

PublishedMarch 28, 2024 at 10:54 AM

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ – The Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Board of Trustees has awarded tenure to four faculty members. Heather Connors, Karen Hosick, Laura Samuelsen, and Carrie Rong Xiao have earned tenure in recognition of their excellence in teaching, scholarly achievement, service to the College and the community, and fulfillment of their professional responsibilities.

The award of tenure reflects Hudson County Community College’s commitment to providing its students with a quality education led by highly qualified and respected professionals. Tenure is awarded based on excellence and the promise of candidates’ continued achievement demonstrated through excellence in teaching, scholarly achievement, contributions to the College and community, and fulfillment of professional responsibilities. Tenure-track faculty at HCCC engage in a rigorous multi-year process in which they hone their teaching and professional development skills and submit a portfolio demonstrating excellence in the four areas listed above. Upon the award of tenure by the Board of Trustees, faculty are promoted to the rank of Assistant Professor, effective the following academic year.

“The entire College community is proud of these instructors who are exceptional in their respective fields, from the humanities and social sciences to STEM,” said HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber. “We value their contributions and congratulate and thank them for the dedication, extraordinary talent, experience, and passion they bring to teaching our students. It is especially significant that their tenure awards coincide with our celebration of Women’s History Month.”

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Heather Connors, who possesses more than 18 years of experience in higher education, teaches Composition I and II, Basic Reading II, Basic Writing II, and Technical Writing. She received her Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts - English degree from Middlesex County College, Bachelor of Arts degree in English from The College of New Jersey, and Master of Arts degree in Writing Studies from Kean University. Her teaching philosophy relies on collaborative exchanges. Her pedagogical and research interests include collaborative learning, digital rhetoric and literacies, peer review, and contingency faculty issues. Heather has presented her research at regional and national composition conferences.

Karen Hosick is an Instructor and the Coordinator of the Personal Fitness and Exercise Science programs. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training/Exercise Science from Ithaca College, and a Master of Arts degree in Exercise Physiology from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Karen began serving the College in 2019. She previously taught Emergency Care and Red Cross certification in First Aid/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) at Montclair State University; monitored and advised students in exercise science internships; and served as a laboratory manager for the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Karen is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

Laura Samuelsen has served at the College as an Instructor of Academic Foundation Mathematics since 2015, teaching Basic Math, Basic Algebra, and College Algebra. Laura is also as an Assessment Coordinator for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University at Albany - State University of New York (SUNY), Master of Science degree from New Jersey City University (NJCU), and certification in Effective College Instruction focusing on establishing a productive learning environment, using active learning techniques, promoting higher order thinking, and assessing to advance learning. Laura is involved in curriculum development at the College. She is a member of the Mathematics Association of Two-Year Colleges of New Jersey (MATYCN).

Carrie Rong Xiao, who joined the College in 2019, teaches Financial Accounting and Managerial Accounting. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with experience in corporate and governmental accounting at Kaiser Permanente in New York and California. Her years of practice explaining taxes is the result of her instinctive desire to teach. Her compassion and caring as a teacher earned her recognition as an HCCC Spotlight Employee. Carrie holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Tianjin Normal University in China, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Virginia Tech University. She serves on the Curriculum and Instruction and the All College Council Development and Planning Committees. She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs.

Hudson County Community College is a public, comprehensive urban community college committed to offering high-quality programs that are affordable, accessible and community-centered. Students at HCCC may pursue courses on two campuses, both of which are located in close proximity to public transportation hubs.

The opinions expressed herein are the writer's alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of TAPinto.net or anyone who works for TAPinto.net. TAPinto.net is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the writer. Click here to submit a Column.

Eating a cupcake feels special even if it’s just a post-work treat. Cupcakes can turn anything into a celebration and there are tons of bakeries in Hoboken + Jersey City that make these light, fluffy baked goods for any occasion — including some gluten-free and vegan options. Keep reading to discover where to get the best cupcakes in Hoboken + Jersey City.

Hoboken

The ACME bakery has an assortment of yellow, chocolate, red velvet, and vanilla cupcakes. Packages of 10-24 cupcakes are available for parties + individual cupcakes are available for a little treat.

Annie + Em’s is a great option for gluten-free cupcakes. The bakery does not have retail hours but the cupcakes can be ordered for pickup. The cupcakes can be made vegan, dairy-free, nut-free, egg-free, or soy-free, and specialty designs can be requested for events. Cake flavors like coconut, carrot, chocolate, Funfetti, pistachio, and vanilla are available. Cream cheese frosting or chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or raspberry buttercream and sprinkles can top the cupcakes.

Read More: Where to Get the Best Brownies in Hoboken + Jersey City

Baking Mama is a local bakery founded by the talented Tina Rivera in 2015. The small-batch bakery has a selection of cupcakes with flavors like carrot with cream cheese frosting, purple yam with purple yam frosting, red velvet with cream cheese frosting, and chocolate or vanilla with chocolate, vanilla, dulce de leche, strawberry or raspberry frosting. The bakery also sells mini chocolate, vanilla, and red velvet cupcakes.

Cafe Unibread makes fresh bread + Asian-style cakes daily. The menu has chocolate, vanilla, and red velvet cupcakes sold in four-packs.

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Carlo’s Bakery is well-known for its elaborate, custom cakes and Italian pastries. Fresh-baked chocolate and vanilla cupcakes decorated with colorful sprinkles are available individually or by the dozen.

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For Cup Sakes is a local bakery that makes custom cookies, cupcakes, + novelty cakes. Mini boozy cupcakes can be ordered on the website for delivery or pick-up in Hoboken + Jersey City. A minimum of two dozen cupcakes must be ordered. Flavor options are Fernet Chocolate Mint, Applejack Apple Pie, Campari Olive Oil, Borghetti Espresso Martini Amarula Cream, and Amaretto Gingerbread Whiskey.

Sweet is a corner bakery that has been a Hoboken staple since 2008. Cupcakes, custom cakes, and other bakery items are made from scratch on-site. Cupcakes are available in regular + mini sizes in a variety of rotating flavors like vanilla, red velvet, lemon, carrot, banana, and peanut butter.

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Jersey City

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Busy Bee Organics is a gluten-free bakery, cafe, + meal delivery company in Jersey City Heights. The rotating menu often includes gluten-free cupcakes, like the Valentine cupcakes made with avocado + topped with vegan buttercream or vanilla rose chai, carrot cake, and peanut butter chocolate cupcakes for Mother’s Day.

Carmen Rosa’s Bakery is a mother-daughter bakery in downtown Jersey City that is well-known for creating delightful Dominican cakes. Cupcakes are available in addition to the creative custom cakes. Vanilla, chocolate, almond, mocha, and coconut cupcakes are on the menu and these can be made with or without fillings.

Cocoa Bakery is a top-notch dessert shop with two locations in Jersey City. Custom cakes can be ordered in advance but the pastry case often features brownies, truffles, and, of course, cupcakes. Cupcakes are sold individually or in boxes of six and 12. Seasonal flavors rotate but vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, carrot, and chocolate salted caramel cupcakes are almost always available. Anyone looking for gluten-free or vegan cupcakes can find them here.

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Cupcakes by Jeannine is a Latinx-owned dessert food truck that pops up around Jersey City. Flavors vary for specific holidays but this red truck has a display case that is often filled with chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, dulce de leche, + cookies and cream cupcakes.

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This Argentine-style bakery and cafe in Jersey City Heights makes custom cakes + has a pastry case filled with delectable treats. Seasonal cupcakes, decorated with glitter and mini champagne bottles for New Year’s Eve or spiders and orange frosting for Halloween, are sometimes available.

Milk Sugar Love Creamery + Bakeshop may be best known as an ice cream shop, but this confectionary has other desserts on the menu — including cupcakes. These cupcakes are sold by the half-dozen and the box comes with two vanilla, two chocolate, and two red velvet cupcakes.

Olivia Organic is a bodega on Newark Avenue with a pastry case right by the front door. The selection sometimes features large cupcakes decorated with tons of icing, sprinkles, and candy.

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Sugartown Bakery Cafe makes custom cookies, cakes, and cupcakes for any occasion. Browse the website for inspiration, which has a gallery of everything from engagement to unicorn-themed cupcakes, or reach out to the team to discuss some ideas.

See More: The Ultimate Guide to Desserts in Montclair

The Stop + Shop Bakery has a variety of two-bite mini cupcakes, gluten-free cupcakes, and six-packs of gold cupcakes with colorful frosting. These are great when grabbing a quick and easy dessert to brighten someone’s day.