1.3 BILLION DOLLAR BOONDOGGLE of Zany Dodo brought to you by FEAR OF NEGROES

[5Reasons]

On Wednesday, if you read the Star Ledger business section you saw one of the worst development projects in history get celebrated by Governor Hudson and his cronies. This project is so expensive and so destined for failure and yet NO ONE will question it because it has been couched in a "fear of negroes" response to the Newark Arena. What pi$$es me off is that our timorous 'leaders' of Essex haven't even thrown a soft ball to question this project. Hey boys, Essex politics is supposed to be a contact friggin sport. Why don't you start throwing some friggin bombs on them? God knows the Bergen Democrats had no problem villifying Essex Democrats in this matter. Then again, our punkish leaders only know how to beat each other up. When they get outside of Essex, they just love 'Massa Charlie'.

Just in case no one has informed you of the crap that is in this project, let's do a quick review.

1. INDOOR SKYDIVING. WTF? How can you INDOOR SKYDIVE? The sky, by its definition, is OUTSIDE. Being indoors means you aren't in contact with the direct sky. But yet somehow, these guys are going to do indoor skydiving. Please tell me what market researcher told them that indoor skydiving is going to be a success.

2. INDOOR SKIING. Agian, wtf. Who would want to go INDOOR skiing in the swamp? The demograghics you're reaching for is MOVING OUT of Bergen - and quickly. Another boondoogle - it won't last 5 years.

3. SWAMP Ferris Wheel: This sh!t is almost too sad to laugh at. WTF is there to see in the swamp? At the apex of the ride, you get a good view of bumper to bumper traffic of Route 3 and you probably also get the wafting oders of car emissions.

4. Swamp Shopping Mall: I don't know what idiot would build a mall in a saturated area like Bergen. Again, 5 mega malls within 25 minutes and this is DONE during an era in which malls are losing population to BIG BOX stores. The dynamics of the market should preclude any development of a mall, especially in this market in this area. Again, just DUMB. No market research would support this venture.

5. Swamp movie theater. Again, 5 megaplexes within 15 minutes of that. There's one in Newport, North Bergen, Clifton - you get the point.

6. Swamp rail lines: Again, the grand myth is that somehow if they build a rail line, that people will come to the area. This 100 MILLION DOLLAR boondoggle has no TIME LINE of when it will pay for itself (BECAUSE IT WON'T). If I build train tracks to the middle of the Utah desert, that doesn't mean people will choose to ride it. And again, the whole notion of a rail line and the swamp is done to confirm the hegemony of NYC. Newark, however, is far better located for events. The rail lines can draw people NOT JUST FROM NY and Bergen (North Jersey) but also from Central and South Jersey.

7. Swamp Highway Expansion: The estimated costs for this puppy is at LEAST 50 MILLION (but wait until they put all the bells and whistles on it - the costs will skyrocket toward 100 million)

Between all of this crap and the fact that the Swamp Sports Authority is still trying to lure a baseball club (even though the swamp HAS NEVER proven to be a draw for any sports teams except football.) no one says a word. Which, BTW, just follow the 'creative financing' that they come up with to get the 700 MILLION dollars for the new Giants Stadium. I GUARANTEE YOU the Swamp Sports Authority will float those bonds. In other words, it won't be a corporate bond.

Newarkers should be disgusted by this. The racism that permeates this land development deal is over the top. And yet, the Fox Ledger gives these people a pass. The Newark Arena, TO DATE, has not lost New Jerseyans ONE SINGLE DIME. The Swamp Sports Authority has LOST HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of dollars for decades and yet people have blind faith that they can make something work in the largest land development deal in NJ history. UNBELIEVABLE.

[counterattack]

5 you are so correct these spineless essex county officials will say nothing about this, but that maybe because accept for newark the good ol boys own this county as well and they are just as racist, we all know they don't fight in public they make backroom deals.

I give Sharpe and the council cudos for going forward with the arena.

[MrTim1955]

2. INDOOR SKIING. Agian, wtf. Who would want to go INDOOR skiing in the swamp? The demograghics you're reaching for is MOVING OUT of Bergen - and quickly. Another boondoogle - it won't last 5 years.


I've always wanted to learn to ski. The only thing that has stopped me is the damn cold. Now that we are going to have an indoor ski slope I will finally be able to learn and keep warm at the same time!!

/tongue in cheek mode off.

[MrTim1955]

The whole place will have to shut down whenever there is a game going on so that there will be no distraction for the teams that are playing.

[jmax]

I've been saying from the beginning that the Essex County powers that be are more satisfied with funding for a parking deck in West Orange than getting any real state funding for the project in Newark.

However-- this brings up another problem: none of the leaders in Essex have any real credibility outside the county. That is-- except for our soon to be Acting Governor. That being said-- Codey was-- at times-- always more interested in maintaining his leadership position than he was in fighting for county projects. To be fair-- Newark is not even in his district and he did step up to the plate in publically supporting the arena project.

While public support is nice-- all our other legislators have ZERO hope of statewide office (I know ProSouth has a "Mims Hackett-- Governor for the People" poster on his wall :) ) They should be yelling and screaming about the Xanadu boondoggle... and attracting attention to it.

[Doofus1]

J, nobody wants to bite the hand that feeds them. Acting Gov. Codey gets to make political appointments and stand at groundbreaking ceremonies in the most populated county in the state. The rest of the politicos are taking deals--like nice positions on the Passaic Valley Sewer Commission, etc.--and don't want to rock the boat.

[Houseguest]

Notice the difference between the Star (Fox) Ledger's business article and the Times article (particlularly the INCLUSION of the OPPOSTION side):


October 5, 2004
New Jersey Sports Authority Approves Lease for Xanadu
By RONALD SMOTHERS

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Oct. 4 - The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority gave the go-ahead on Monday to an ambitious, privately developed $1.3 billion sports and entertainment complex abutting the Continental Airlines Arena in the Meadowlands.

The project, known as Meadowlands Xanadu, will spread across 106 acres and feature a year-round indoor ski jump, a mini Formula One racing oval, an indoor wave pool and a 35-screen movie theater billed as the nation's largest.

The authority voted 8 to 0, with one abstention, to approve a 175-year lease with the project's developers, the Mills Corporation, a mall developer based in Arlington, Va.; Mack-Cali Realty of Cranford, N.J.; and KanAm, a real estate firm based in Germany. The action followed three years of debate over the project, which had been strongly supported by Gov. James E. McGreevey.

Under the deal, the state will receive a total of $160 million in nine installments from the developers, which will be used to retire the arena's outstanding debt. The lease also requires the developers to sell 600 acres of wetlands to the state for $26 million. The Mills Corporation had hoped to use the land to develop a shopping mall but dropped that plan in the face of vigorous opposition. The land will instead be preserved as wetlands.

The agreement also calls for the developers to contribute $65 million for road improvements and the construction of a rail spur to the Meadowlands sporting sites, and $12 million in annual payments in lieu of taxes to the 14 towns in the Meadowlands area that will be affected by traffic and other disruptions.

The governor, who attended the authority's meeting, called the action a "momentous occasion in the life of the state." He said the project represented a grand vision that would provide an economic engine for the surrounding area.

Despite the euphoria in the authority's boardroom on Monday, George R. Zoffinger, the authority's president and executive director, noted that a lawsuit brought by unsuccessful bidders could derail the project. Hartz Mountain Industries and the Westfield Group claim that the bid process was improper and that the Xanadu proposal violated bid requirements that the project not be a mall. If a court blocks the project between now and April 2005, the lease allows the developers to cancel the deal and recoup their initial lease payment but not money spent on construction.

Critics of the deal, including Hartz officials, call it a giveaway of tax dollars. They noted that the state was paying the Mills Corporation $26 million for the wetlands even though it was highly unlikely the company would have been allowed to build its proposed mall.

The leases held by the Giants, Jets, Nets and Devils would require that Xanadu negotiate arrangements to make sure its activities and those of the teams do not conflict.

"I think they should put a big dry cleaners in their mall because they have just taken the taxpayers to the cleaners," Jeff Tittel, director of the Sierra Club of New Jersey, said. "With the state paying for most of the needed transportation and road improvements and picking up the tab for all of the problems down the road, this is the most one-sided deal since we got Manhattan for $24."

The project's developers said the complex could open as early as 2006. The pace of the project has already outstripped the proposed development of an arena in Newark, the plan that gave birth to Xanadu. When the owners of the Nets and the Devils proposed building a new arena in Newark in 2000, Bergen County residents cried foul over the potential loss of jobs and taxes. Gov. Christie Whitman, then her successor Donald T. DiFrancesco and finally Mr. McGreevey vowed to build the Newark arena, but not without giving Bergen County residents a replacement development at the Meadowlands site.

As the Meadowlands planning began in 2000, the Newark arena got bogged down in financing fights and state politics. The Nets then decamped to Brooklyn, and the Devils were sold to new owners. As the Meadowlands Xanadu deal was being signed on Monday, Newark was still in the process of condemning land for the proposed arena, negotiating lease terms with the Devils and fending off prickly opposition from the City Council.

James F. Dausch, president of Mills's development division, provided the sports authority with new details about the tenants and activities planned for the complex.

Mr. Dausch said the complex would include a child-size city, a digital playground, television studio, indoor sky-diving and ski jumping, a cooking school and theme-oriented tenants like Nickelodeon, Fox Sports, House of Blues and Nascar.

While there would be retail areas related to the theme-related spaces, he said, "this doesn't make it a mall any more that having feathers makes a duck a chicken."

[Doofus1]

At least the Bergen Record is more critical than the Ledger. Here is a good article noting that many of Zoffinger's promises were hot air:

http://www.bergen.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk1MCZmZ2Jl bDdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5NjU5ODA0MSZ5cmlyeTdmNzE3Zjd2cWVlRU V5eTI=

Here is a nice summary at the beginning of the article:

A lot of promises were made in February 2003, after the Xanadu plan was chosen for the Continental Arena site redevelopment.

But a lot has changed in the past 20 months, culminating with Governor McGreevey signing a 75-year ground lease Wednesday for the $1.3 billion entertainment, retail, office and hotel complex.

A few examples:


New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority President George Zoffinger has backed away from a pledge to use advance rent money from the Xanadu developers, Mills Corp. and Mack-Cali, to pay off the entire $160 million arena debt immediately.


Sports Authority Chairman Carl Goldberg assured skeptics that the developers would stick to their plan for 600,000 square feet of retailing in the 5 million-square-foot project. But the ground lease lists 600,000 square feet of "traditional retail," 275,000 square feet of "entertainment/retail" tenants such as a Virgin Records mega-store, and 255,000 more square feet available for the same hybrid category.


More than 12,000 of the 20,000 jobs that Xanadu is supposed to create would be within the four, 440,000-square-foot office towers that would be built only in the second phase of the project - a phase Mills/Mack-Cali is not required to construct under the developer's agreement signed in December.

[John Sharpe James, J.D.]

The deal is 200 times worse and more expensive than Newark's deal, but no gripes from the Anti-Arena folks....NOT ONE GRIPE OR COMPLAINT :mad: :mad: :mad:

[5Reasons]

Not one PUBLIC complaint from Sharpe, Rice, Cody, Senator Long Braids or any of the Essex Assembly members like Buddy Hackett, relatives of Payne the Latino judge et al. PATHETIC.

Bergen County can punk Essex Democrats. Essex Democrats can beat the he!! out of each other, but become step and fetch it outside of the county line. What a sad, feckless delegation we have.

[JoefromPGH]

Isn't the whole centerpiece of this massive crazy project, the luring of the Mets to NJ? Well, if thats so, Fred Wilpon has already made it publicly known that he is not interested in moving out of Queens. Certainly Wilpon's stance could change but at least for now there will not be a major league baseball team committed to this sight.

[jmax]

Doofus-- I know they're happy with a seat on the sewage commission. That, however, is the problem. Our delegation can be downright gutless.

On another front-- has anyone seen that Governor-to-be Codey and Zoffinger want to stop paying the Devils during the lockout. Instead of worring about contracts the Authoritry already signed-- how about saving money by NOT paying 26.5 million dollars for UNDEVELOPABLE Wetlands as part of this boondoggle.

[Doofus1]

has anyone seen that Governor-to-be Codey and Zoffinger want to stop paying the Devils during the lockout.

Of course, it is classic NJ politics. Dodge the real problem and blame the prior opposition administration for something was negotiated 5 years ago and cannot be changed. I had hoped Codey was not going to fall into that trap. Oh well.

[jmax]

It's a lack of creative thinking. Everyone is afraid to fail-- as opposed to being afraid NOT to succeed.

[Houseguest]

Oh yes folks, the lawsuits keep piling onto "Scamadoo"



http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2MDYmZmdi ZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTY1OTkyNTAmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZU VFeXkz

[Doofus1]

More "outrage" over the Arena (hey John, how does it feel to be the son of Ahab?). http://www.nj.com/columns/ledger/moran/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/109816768619500.xml

Where is the outrage over Xanadudu?

Well, here it ISN'T. NJT is proposing hundreds of millions in new rail links, most conveniently connected to Xanandudu (although there is no need to really do this). Me thinks Codey is starting his election campaign early.

http://www.bergen.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2MDgmZmdi ZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTY1OTg4MjkmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZU VFeXky

[John Sharpe James, J.D.]

At least Sharpe isn't hiding in a closet like Booker :eek:

[5Reasons]

Doofus,

This was the whole point of my thread. WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE FROM ESSEX'S "leaders"? :mad:

I just read in the SL this morning that there's going to be a 30 FOOT CHOCOLATE WATERFALL at Zanydodo. WTF? Willie Wonka lives in the swamp???

And again, NO ONE complains when Newark has to take in all of the State's unwanted sh!t. The Fox Ledger isn't even trying to keep any sort of balance in this matter. They talk about how this project doesn't improve Newark but THEY NEVER MENTION all of the other nonrevenue projects that NWK has taken on. Geez, give me a break.

[black4rob2]

I don't understand how a project is appove when the town that it is going to be built on doesn't want it there. Do you think the Newark "The Bricks" Arena would have be approved if the city and Sharpe said hell no.

Politics sure is a beautiful thing. :mad:

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1098252705304390.xml

[jmax]

Carlstadt's lawyer, Stuart Lieberman, is one of the best environmental lawyers in the state. Doofus-- he co-wrote the cover story in the Law Journal's Environmental Section this week. The pwers that be on this better watch it-- because he is no joke.

As for the other points-- of course Codey is starting his reelection bid. The democrats know they can take Essex County for granted-- so Bergen County becomes the equal of Ohio nationally-- a "swing state" so to speak.

[Doofus1]

He's good, J, but he has a long road with lots of hurdles. Suits based on environmental or environment protection laws are still crapshoots unless Uncle Sam is on your side.

Life as a lawyer. One big anti-climax. You graduate from law school, but you can't enjoy it because you have to study for the bar. You take the bar, but you can't enjoy that because you start work before you know if you even pass. Then when you finally pass, you've been working for 3 months, and nobody really gives a rat's behind.

[5Reasons]

Jay,

Is ANYONE paying attention to this boondoogle? The article in the SL today says that NJ won't see any profits FOR AT LEAST the first 15 YEARS (in other words, at least 2021.). Indoor skiing? Indoor skydiving? Swamp Ferris Wheel? Swamp rail ways? 30 foot friggin chocolate water fall? Unncessary duplication on everything from retail to movies in a saturated market. And yet, the Fox Ledger hasn't even done ONE critical piece on the subject.

And for the record, ONCE AGAIN. To date, the Newark Arena has NOT lost NJ one single dime. The Swamp Sports Authority has lost HUNDREDS of MILLIONS over decades. Only racism can keep this project moving forward.

[jmax]

Doofus-- I think you're right-- but he's really good. Frankly-- I'm hoping one of these crap shoots rolls a 7.

5-- this state's political leaders are the height of hypocracy. I am fully committed to cleaning house in both Essex and Hudson Counties. The race for Jersey City mayor will be a start-- Lou Manzo is a really good guy and independent thinker. You and I have been saying this stuff for, literally, years now.

But I think this stuff really does go beyond racism. Bergen County is New Jersey's Ohio. As the swing county-- it will get more pork barrel projects than any other this side of Atlantic City. Is racism a factr? Of course. But I think basic political factors play big here as well.

[5Reasons]

You are SUCH an apologist.

QUESTION: Would this boondoggle be going through if NOT for the way it was marketed in response to the "Newark Arena"?

Answer: HE!! NO.

No profits for 15 years from an agency that has lost HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS over decades. Willie Wonka-like 30 foot CHOCOLATE WATERFALL and it's all because "they are our Ohio." Give me a friggin break. The SILENCE from our leaders is deafening.

[jazzyken]

One question, if everything about this swamp arena is so bad, what are the "positives" that is granting this type of project to move forward (or what is believed to be the positives)????

[myhomenewark]

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/essex/index.ssf?/base/news-6/109816749219500.xml

They're trying to kill this arena by hook or by crook.

Amazing how this Xanadu crap gets no grief when THE ONLY REASON IT EXISTS WAS AS A RESULT OF WANTING TO BUILD AN ARENA IN NEWARK!

Even today, on the NJ.com page (they've deleted my screen name yet again for no reason), there was a link to the Newark forum stating "not everyone in Newark is in favor of the arena" serving to entice people to participate in the barely breathing Newark forum. Unbelieveable!

Again, my vote for the arena is like a vote for Kerry. It is better than what we got. In order for Newark to survive, it needs to have the type of amenities an arena and an adjacent upscale neighborhood could generate (i.e., the Mulberry Redevelopment). The arena, the core development, the new neighborhood, along with other pieces of the puzzle may allow Newark to carve out a new identity. I'm less than enthusiastic about the prospect of the arena for outlying neighborhoods EXCEPT that any ancillary tax generation and perception change for Newark will be good for the city as a whole.

The problems of Newark are a lot bigger than any collection of development projects, but at least it's a chance to unplug the "sink" that, unfortunately, I see large areas of Newark continuing to be--reservations for NJ's low-wage labor pool and undesirables.

Where are the leadership on this issue? Why aren't they speaking out against the blatant in-your-face disrespect this city is getting?

[jazzyken]

I am still sitting on the fence about the arena in Newark. I DO NOT think this arena will save our fair city. A real and true effort to stop the crime, drugs and prostitution, better city services, more quality of life issues enforced. Those things will save our city. Yes, an arena is nice (its pretty :D ) to have and it "may" bring jobs to our citizens. Honestly, what will be the use of getting a new job and getting mugged at the check cashing place downtown by a junkie that was just begging you for a dime. I believe this city needs developments, I am just not so sure it needs a hockey arena.

As far as the mulberry street redevolpment, I think it is a horrible idea. I think any development that will force homeowners to move and tear down where they have raised their children and grandchildren (where they paid taxes for over 30-40 years) is a bad idea. Instead of saying your houses are horrible but we need your land to make a parking lot... help residents fix their homes and bring them up to par with the times.:( If it will happen on Mulberry street, it will happen anywhere!

[black4rob2]

But I believe that with such an investment and to the fans that Hockey caters too (predominately)...there will be an increase of police or security presence.

Take Madison Square Garden for instance...It doesn't matter what time I go through their, but I will always see police officers on foor walking around..Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter...they are always out there.

i agree with you completely about the mulberry street development...In so many cases these residents aren't even being rightfully compensated for their properties....INCLUDING the cost of relocations.

Any word about the Connecticut case involving Eminent Domain?

[myhomenewark]

The Mulberry St area is an eyesore of mostly dilapidated buildings and surface parking lots that needs to go! I agree that the people should be fairly compensated. Eminent Domain should always be a last resort--if ever used. But to keep it as-is should not be allowed to happen if Newark is to become the city it once was.

[5Reasons]

Jazz,

The Mulberry people are just making a lot of noise to make sure that they get their fair share - AND THEY WILL. But let's be clear - the area is an eyesore.

I wonder who's being treated unfairly? Europa motors and their stolen cars (and yet somehow STILL in business)? Or perhaps one of the many tire/hubcap shops in which I've seen regularly buy stolen parts from crackheads?

A high-income district is coming to Newark. The Mulberry people will get MORE than their fair share. But progress is bigger than a few quasi-legal businesses.

[jazzyken]

Just because it is an eyesore to some does not mean we should take it from the homeowners and tear it down.
80% of the buildings on Clinton Avenue are an eyesore why isn't that a hot topic? The buildings on Clinton Ave are just homes for squatters and prostitutes, hell they do not pay any taxes to our city and yet they are still up!
This is what I mean about priority in our city. I just asked 6 white people at my job about going to the arena and they all said outside of work they would not come here. Let's keep it real!!!

[jazzyken]

Take Madison Square Garden for instance...It doesn't matter what time I go through their, but I will always see police officers on foor walking around..Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter...they are always out there.

One train ride there and one train ride back... think about the drive into Newark that the outsiders must go through to get to see the hockey games. Clinton Avenue, Elizabeth Avenue, High Street, Frelinghuysen Avenue all are off 78 and all have the same problems with drugs, prostitutes and violence. Who will protect them in these areas?

My point is that we have to build a "safer" reputation before we invite folks over. I would never invite people over to my house if my bathrooms were dirty. That is just nasty and they would NOT come back.

[5Reasons]

Jazz,

What Mulberry business do you own? Are you in one that buys stuff from the crackheads? The ONLY person on this forum that believes that it isn't a sh!t hole is YOU. Again, I understand your tactic. Make a lot of noise to get your best settlement. But don't bullsh!t the people on this forum as though it is a "real" neighborhood (We're smarter than that). If you're looking for a little scratch, then say so.
;)

[jazzyken]

But don't bullsh!t the people on this forum as though it is a "real" neighborhood (We're smarter than that)

R U saying that the people that have raised their children and grand-children in this area does not live in a "real neighborhood"???

R U okay today??? Did you miss your meds?? :eek:

I did not say that it was not an eyesore! I said there are more pressing things that should be on the agenda. There are plenty of properties that are eyesores in the city that are NOT generating any cash for the city and the city does nothing about tearing them down.

Just because it is an eyesore to some does not mean we should take it from the homeowners and tear it down.

is my exact quote!!!

I gain nothing if they tear it down or they do not!!! I do not own any properties in the area and nor will I buy in that area anyway. I am AGAINST making people leave their homes after living there for over 40 years to tear it down for parking lots. That is my stance!! If you do not like it then oh well this is an OPEN forum!!!

[black4rob2]

One train ride there and one train ride back... think about the drive into Newark that the outsiders must go through to get to see the hockey games. Clinton Avenue, Elizabeth Avenue, High Street, Frelinghuysen Avenue all are off 78 and all have the same problems with drugs, prostitutes and violence. Who will protect them in these areas?

My point is that we have to build a "safer" reputation before we invite folks over. I would never invite people over to my house if my bathrooms were dirty. That is just nasty and they would NOT come back.

For the outsiders...Even if they did nothing at all to fix up the locations that you mentioned it wouldn't matter...because if you take 78 like you suggested it would put you on broad street, which is all commercial and 21 which is all commercial.

What do you think the "Outsiders" use now when they go to NJ PAC 21 to 78.

Hell when I go visit my mother who lives in Maplewood...I take 21 and 78...


By the way Jazzy...I'm not jumping on you...Not unless you want me too. :D

[jmax]

First of all %, I am not an apologist. I've been railing for years about how poorly our reps represent us. However-- the reality is that Bergen County is now considered, right or wrong, as a swing county. Therefore-- any politician who even dreams of winning statewide office will support this boondoggle.

Sadly, people like Craig Stanley and Mims Hacket, along with Ron Sr., who have absolutly NO SHOT at higher office, are silent. McKeon can't say anything because he owes his career to Codey. Frankly, even if Sharpe said something no one would listen. Caraballo? He would be a logical choice-- but the only time I've seen his name in the paper was to speak AGAINST pay-to-play legislation. Nia Gill? She would also be a good person to speak up. Payne? Please.

The two republicans we have representing Essexz County are Kean Jr. and Kevin O'Toole. We all know Kean's aspirations. O'Toole-- he cares more about his Bergen base than he does his Essex base anyhow (part of his district is in Bergen County).

5-- you are missing the big picture. The reason it is being built is about race. The reason no one is talking against it is because of votes or incompetance.

[Mulberry Street Coalition]

The Mulberry St Redevelopment Area has 65 different property owners. 2/3 of them have joined our coalition and have pooled funds to fight an unjust taking of their properties.

The largest property owner owns approximately 5 acres and is under contract and/or is a partner with the developers. Development can take place without wiping out our neighborhood. If that approach was taken, no one would argue.

Instead, the developers tried to ambush the people in this area figuring they were incapable of resisting. The city council saw our plight and rescinded the first blight study, which was paid for by the developers.

Since the plan was stopped in May 2003, the developers and their affiliates have been pumping huge amounts of monies into campaigns of our city officials. Somehow, between May 2003 and January 2004, 6 votes changed on the city council.

Our group has contacted the US Attorneys office and has asked for an investigation into the goings on in city hall pertaining to this project.

We believe there may be something wrong with this picture.

It has been 17 months since it was rescinded in May 2003, this past week the planning board-appointed by the administration-voted against us and our fate now lies with the city council once again. The developers are very close "friends" with members of the city council - can we get an unbiased vote?

The US Supreme Court is hearing a case from Connecticut about property rights that sounds very similar to ours. It will be the first time they hear a case like this since the 1950's. It would be irresponsible for anyone to vote to condemn our properties until this benchmark case is heard and ruled on.

If your home or business, which you have worked all your life to obtain, was in this area what would you do?

http://www.mulberrystcoalition.com

[bqribs]

If your home or business, which you have worked all your life to obtain, was in this area what would you do?

http://www.mulberrystcoalition.com

Keep fighting! What in the world does Newark need a Hockey Arena for? Newark does not have the waterfront or proximity to NYC like Jersey City does so who will be attracted to come to Newark? The arena will make zillions of dollars just like Bears Stadium, really LOL.

I remember the days when you couldn't find a parking spot on Mulberry Street on a Saturday morning to go shopping at one of the markets. That was the days!

[5Reasons]

Why does the Swamp need an arena? Do you not agree that the Swamp Sports Authority has lost hundreds of millions over decades?

[myhomenewark]

Newark needs more than just being a sink for the poor. You know, there are a lot of towns with "good old days," however those towns were able to annex their wealthier areas even while their cores rotted. It is only because those wealthier areas were part of the city that many of those towns sought to rebuild their downtown core. That process was thwarted in Newark because of NJ's home rule. (Of the 100 largest cities in this country, Newark is the second smallest largest city--in other words, Newark's 23.5 square miles of urbanism is only dwarfed by one other entity known as a city--which happens to be Jersey City, only saved by its 24-hour PATH subway and its proximity to Manhattan).

Therefore, Newark has to fight. Its so-called suburbs have no vested interest in the urban core. The urban core gets relegated to the anti-urban agenda of this country/state and is left to rot. The urban core has to beg instead of transferring wealth from one district to another. Of course it doesn't help when the face of that urban core is predominantly black (or brown).

So how do we bring back the "good old days" for Newark? Or do you believe that the city should just be left to high unemployment and low wages. What is to become of the bantustan that NJ and US urban policy created?

I'm still not sure if the arena is the most efficient use of the dollars, but it's coming whether you like it or not. I would vote for building an underground 24-hour running subway, but that would be cost-prohibitive.

Mulberry Sreet people should be fairly compensated for their properties, but that skid-row dilapidated area does not belong at the heart of downtown. To be sure, I am a big proponent of affordable housing, but this can be accomplished within the renewal plan.

I would ask what you think should be done that will help make the city great again?

BTW, Newark has quite a bit of waterfront in the Passaic River as well as Newark Bay.

The only thing that will jumpstart Newark from being a fading city is a development project large enough that will make folks believe in the city again. It seems the city can't even BUY a break!

[5Reasons]

Myhome,

No one actually believes the arena is going to "change" Newark; however, people are realistic to beleive that it can be a catalyst for other economic activity, as well as be used to change Newark's image to the State and nation.

And again, have you noticed that NO ONE has actually answered any of my questions. How come NO ONE complains when Newark has to take in all of the State's unwanted sh!t? And, how come the no one questions the Swamp Sports Authority which has lost hundreds of millions over decades? To date, the "Newark Arena" has not lost NJ one single dime.

[myhomenewark]

I get so tired of Newark's fall being blamed on black people and the riots of 1967. Newark was on its way down prior to the riots. The riots didn't happen in a vacuum either. All of this "I remember Newark" talk about how "great" it was gets old and tiresome. Let's make the city better today!

[5Reasons]

I like to go through all of the old newspapers, from the Ledger to the local newspapers. Trust me - they are remembering things a WHOLE BETTA than it really was. Newark was in decline from the late 20s. By the early 40s, Ellenstein was begging slumlords to stop gouging in rents and improve housing conditions. By the early 50s, white flight had already begun (upper-class white flight had occured more than two decades before that). The history of police brutality was reported on in a black weekly in the late 30s. (it was rumors of a police brutality incident that sparked the '67 riots). Newark was systemically redlined for funds for nearly 30 years in the early to mid 20 Century. By the late 50s, Newark was in full decline and with the emergence of the suburbs, the middle class was OUT. The riots only ended what was a long DECLNE. Of course, the leadership in the post-riot era has been as concerned with making themselves wealthy as they have with revitalizing Newark. That's the true problem.

Perhaps in 2006 NWK can go in another direction.

[John Sharpe James, J.D.]

5.....I make you my campaign manager! :D

[John360]

Newarkers should be disgusted by this. The racism that permeates this land development deal is over the top. And yet, the Fox Ledger gives these people a pass. The Newark Arena, TO DATE, has not lost New Jerseyans ONE SINGLE DIME. The Swamp Sports Authority has LOST HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of dollars for decades and yet people have blind faith that they can make something work in the largest land development deal in NJ history. UNBELIEVABLE.

Your comment about the Arena not losing a dime is rather silly. It hasn't been built yet so how could it possibly cost anything?!

[jmax]

He's talking about the Continental Arena-- which has cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars.

[Houseguest]

Xanydoo becoming political football? :o




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