DECORATING PARTY AT THE BARROW pushed to DECEMBER 8th, 5-9pm!

General Meeting November 21st, 7pm

We will be kicking our meeting off early with an in-person mixer from 6:30-7 to meet your neighbors in person before the hybrid meeting starts at 7pm.

In person: Barrow Mansion. 83 Wayne Street.

Zoom: with the Meeting ID: 851 7077 0500 and passcode: VVPA. https://zoom.us/j/85170770500

AGENDA:

6:30 In-Person Mixer

7:00 Welcome from Craig Zehms, VVNA President

7:10 Board Member Elections

7:20 Bates St. Redevelopment Presentation (Image below)

8:10 AOB

REMINDER There will be no general meeting in December. Instead, we hope to see you at our Holiday Party, co-hosted with the Barrow Mansion on Dec. 9th.

In & Around the Park,
A letter from VVNA President Craig Zehms

Dear Neighbors,

As we embrace the Holiday Season, please join me in giving thanks for the many wonderful people and institutions that grace our neighborhood and make it such a special place to live.

I am thankful for:

1. Van Vorst Park and Marc Wesson and his team of volunteers who maintain it’s beauty.

2. The memories we share of Jeff Schwind and his devotion to the park.

3. Our Library, the staff, and their outreach to the community.

4. The Barrow Mansion and the St. Matthews Food Pantry.

5. Our vibrant arts scene.

6. The vital business district that inspires us to eat and shop locally, as well as our farmer’s market.

7. Our diversity, compassion, and involvement.

I suspect that your list is much longer. In the spirit of the season, please share your thanks with the people who contribute to this unique place.

The VVNA Board of Directors and our volunteer committee members look forward to celebrating the season with you at the Holiday Party on December 9th.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Craig Zehms
VVNA President

Board Positions up for Election/Re-election:

President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Director at Large (1 of 2 open)

Click HERE for details on each position.

Bates St. Redevelopment will impact these buildings:

Upcoming Events:

VVNA & Barrow Mansion Holiday Party 12/9, 6-10pm

Decorating for the Holiday Party will be on 12/8, 5-9pm!

A Message from Friends of Liberty State Park:

Input needed by 11/17!

We urge you to please express your opinions on the DEP's consultants' recommendations in the DEP's Public Comments webpage by their deadline of Friday, 11/17. Your participation will mean a tremendous amount in shaping what the DEP Commissioner eventually approves. He needs to hear from a whole lot of us who care about and know LSP.

The Public Comment Form is here. It is divided into 9 categories with small photos and brief questions with boxes to check, and a blank box for your optional comments. The categories are Transportation, Circulation, Recreation, Athletics, Nature, History & Culture, Art, Community Center, and The Train Shed.

We're urging you to specifically oppose the 3 worst proposals below which are totally wrong for LSP. Please use your own words or our suggested brief language below, but first and foremost please express your own opinions.

1.In the Recreation Category, please state in the comment box: The sacred and beautiful Grove of Remembrance, a 740 tree Grove memorializing NJ's 9/11 victims, should be left as it is! The NJ Tree Foundation created and maintains the peaceful Grove and opposes a trolley or scenic train on tracks on the Grove lawn adjacent to the trees. LSP needs electric shuttle buses!)

2. In the Recreation Category, in the same box: The cement Skate Park (Option "E") belongs in the Interior's 50 acres of active recreation, and not in the unstructured open space lawn by the corner of Zapp Drive and Freedom Way (just east of the Grove of Remembrance) and used for unstructured and passive recreation activities and enjoying its 2 gardens. Please also state your opposition to a Skate Park in the N. Side in the Athletics Category blank box. (There's a terrific Skate Park in nearby Berry Lane Park).

3. Also in the Recreation Category box, please support a fantastic Band Shell in the North Cove Field behind the ferry parking lot and OPPOSE a sloping amphitheater with concrete benches (Option "K") - as the North Cove Field continues to be needed for free and admission-fee festivals; start/finish of nonprofit fundraising 5K Runs/Walks; Sunday lawn concerts, etc.

Join us at the December 7th Board of Adjustment Meeting!

68 Wayne Street Case: Z22-107 is scheduled for the December 7th Board of Adjustment Meeting. The Applicant is seeking the following;

- ‘c’ Variance: Curb cut Description: Applicant proposes to remove existing chain-link fence in front of the property and create a curb cut along Wayne Street. Installation of an electronic gate to permit Community Center visitors to access the parking lot. 

Wreath Decorating Workshop at the Barrow Mansion

Saturday, December 2nd, 10am-Noon

Get into the holiday spirit and unleash your creativity as we guide you through the process of making a stunning wreath. Whether you're a seasoned decorator or a beginner, this hands-on workshop is perfect for everyone. Bring your friends or make new ones as we dive into a world of festive foliage and beautiful bows. Don't miss out on this opportunity to add a personal touch to your holiday decor. Come and create a wreath that will make your neighbors green with envy! Spots are limited and sell out quickly, so purchase your ticket today!

Bi-weekly MUA Meeting for 2nd and York St. Sewer Replacement Projects

Bi-weekly meetings with JCMUA's contractor, Kevin Wynn, will continue. Hosted by Councilman Solomon, the goal is to provide progress updates, answer questions and discuss concerns about 2nd St. and York St. construction.

Please find the Zoom details below.

Topic: BI-Weekly Meetings (York and 2nd St Sewer Replacement Projects

Time: 05:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Every 2 weeks on Tuesday

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89477562333?pwd=OUpMbk1pQ0ZmZnR4SHRYT21kdDBpdz09

Meeting ID: 894 7756 2333

Passcode: 12345

Schedule Update: Please see below for the tentative construction schedule that Smith Sondy has provided. Please keep in mind that the schedule is weather and unforeseen conflicts/changes dependent. 

Tentative schedule pertaining to York St., Varick to Marin and 2nd St., Manila to Jersey Avenue:

• November 20th to 27th - York Street and Jersey Avenue installation of bump Outs

• November 28th - milling  2nd St., Manila to Jersey  also milling York St., Varick to barrow 

• November 29th - 2nd Street, install Bluestone and concrete repairs 

• November 30th - York Street install Bluestone and concrete repairs 

• December 1st - York Street install Bluestone and concrete repairs 

• December 4th - York Street concrete repairs

• December 5th - Paving York St., Varrick to Jersey Ave., 

• December 6th - Paving York St., Jersey to Manila also 2nd St., Paving Manila to Jersey

To subscribe to the Jersey City Free Public Library Newsletter, please follow this link.

For a full list of upcoming events at the Priscilla Gardner Main Library, click here.

Thank you to all those who came out to set up or participate in Halloween at the Park put on by FVVP! It was another great year of celebration!

Neighborhood History

Do you have historical photos/flyers from the Van Vorst Park Neighborhood? Send them in to us for a chance to be featured at welcome@vvnajc.org

Have you seen our new brochure?

In partnership with the Barrow Mansion and the Friends of Van Vorst Park (FVVP), the Van Vorst Neighborhood Association (VVNA) has published a new brochure highlighting all three organizations.

Check it out here!

Graphic Design Volunteer Needed!

Passionate about graphic design and your local community? We are looking for a local graphic designer to help us create or update approximately 4 graphics/month for events, etc. Lots of creative freedom offered! Must be proficient in canva.

Email us at welcome@vvnajc.org to volunteer!

Reminder

The VVNA has a new email address and website that reflect our new name; the Van Vorst Neighborhood Association (VVNA), as well as new social handles! @vvnajc

Please reach out to us at vvnajc.org, www.instagram.com/vvnajc, and welcome@vvnajc.org

Thanks to Our Generous Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors: Barrow Mansion Development Corporation, Brightside Tavern, Two Boots Pizza, and the Friends of Van Vorst Park!

The VVNA depends on fundraising and sponsorships from local businesses and community members. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email welcome@vvnajc.org.