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GLENN D. CUNNINGHAM MAYOR CITY HALL JERSEY CITY, NJ 07302 TEL:(201) 547-5200 FAX:(201) 547-4288

While an economic downturn plagues our nation and New York City across the Hudson, Jersey City is a safe harbor for development and jobs. I am proud that construction continues along our waterfront and we can now see signs of development in our neighborhoods. The pace of development has been incredible.

We have $2.5 billion of construction under way, including 6 buildings with four million square feet of office space. We also have 10 residential buildings under construction with 2,238 apartments.

And in Journal Square, we will soon break ground on the first new project there in 20 years, at the site of the State Theater. This new building will have 130 apartments and storefront retail space, and 30 of the residential units will be reserved for people with low or moderate incomes.

In the Powerhouse District, the first artist's housing project has just been approved, and will include 60 new apartments and retail space. 10% of those apartments will be for low and moderate income residents.

And new in-fill housing is sprouting up in our neighborhoods. Where we had vacant lots and abandoned homes, we now have 312 units of low and moderate income housing. There are another 105 units under construction, and 352 units approved for construction.

Jersey City is continuing its spectacular growth as a major economic force in the metropolitan area.

Greenville Yards will soon be home to the largest new industrial warehouse in the Metropolitan area. Keystone Development is building 2 new warehouses with 550,000 square feet of space. Polar Logistics has also begun a new industrial project. These projects bring 480 new jobs to Jersey City.

Also on the horizon is the new Jersey City Medical Center, which will open on Grand Street next year. It is the first new Medical Center in the Tri-State region in 25 years.

We are working with the Board of Education to build two new High Schools over the next two years. One will be a medical academy for students who want to prepare themselves for medical careers.

And we will have better shopping in Jersey City in the coming year, with three national retail stores opening in our community. On route 440 we will have a new "Lowe's Home Improvement Center" at the old Shop- Rite site. And a new "Target" store and a new "Linens and Things" will open later this year at Newport.

I am very proud that Jersey City has continued the revival that began over 20 years ago. Every mayor, including Tommy Smith, Gerry McCann, Tony Cucci and Bret Schundler can share the credit for the waterfront we are so proud of.

But when I ran for mayor in 2001, the Jersey City story was "a tale of two cities." While our "Gold Coast," was experiencing tremendous development, our neighborhoods were neglected. I am focusing on all our neighborhoods, so that all of Jersey City benefits from the construction boom.

That is why I am especially happy that we have welcomed a new tenant to anchor the development at the HUB. Through the leadership of Bishop Robinson and the Ministerial Alliance, the community rallied to make sure that this important project thrives. (pause for intro of Bishop Robinson)

I'd like to thank Extra Supermarkets for coming to the HUB and making a commitment to the residents of Jersey City and the HUB neighborhood. The Extra Supermarkets story is a page from the American Dream.

Their success in supermarkets began in 1980, when a small Cuban family emigrated to the United States with special dreams. They opened small grocery stores in Hudson County, servicing the Latino community.

In 1993 Extra opened its first large supermarket in East Orange, serving a diverse of African Americans, Latinos and Asians. These markets thrive today. I welcome Extra Supermarkets, and its record of success, to Jersey City. Historical Preservation.

While we continue a fast pace of development, my administration has launched an all out effort to preserve Jersey City's historic past. This year we were able to save the Whitlock Cordage Building from the wrecking ball. Whitlock, built in 1860, was a major producer of rope and cord.

We have not only saved this historical treasure of Jersey City's industrial past, but we will convert the Whitlock buildings into new housing. The new Whitlock will provide affordable housing for 198 families, and 220 market-rate units.

In downtown Jersey City, we are saving the 6' Street Embankment, and improving the quality of life. A $700,000 grant has been dedicated to creating attractive streetscaping, and a nature trail along the embankment for our residents to enjoy.

And in Journal Square, the Apple Tree House, which served as the meeting place for General Washington during the Revolutionary War, will be preserved. We have dedicated $500,000 from our capitol funds to begin the rehabilitation of this historic building. By next year the Apple Tree House should be a "living museum," depicting Jersey City's heritage from the colonial era to 20`' century.

We have also preserved an important part of Jersey City's more recent history. Before glass towers began to replace the abandoned rail yards and industrial sites, on what is now our magnificent "Gold Coast," there were a few bold merchants, who planted the seeds for what has become the financial center of New Jersey. One such person was Andreas Diakos, owner of the Flamingo Diner. I'm happy to say that the Flamingo is here to stay. It will not fly away from where it has nested for so many years.

Last month I took great pleasure in announcing that the plan approved by the City Council to condemn the property, will be scrapped. During the 1980's, when I was the City Council president, I fought to protect the Flamingo when others wanted to take it down for new development.

While I believe we need to continue to encourage development, and to do everything possible to make Jersey City a great place for business, we must not sacrifice the spirit of what makes Jersey City special. (pause – please meet Mr. Diakos).

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