Bay Street, sidewalk shut after 111 First inspection
Saturday, August 06, 2005
The street and sidewalks along Bay Street between Washington and Warren streets were closed this week after building code officials noticed unstable facets of the beleaguered 130-year-old former tobacco factory at 111 First St.

Daniel Horgan, an attorney for Lloyd Goldman of New Gold Equities, the owner of the building, said fire and building code officials inspected the vacant brick structure last week and found one building leaning on the other.

Horgan said officials agreed to close the street Tuesday only under threat of court action.


Sidewalks surrounding the building - which takes up one full square block - are also closed to pedestrians.

The latest development comes after the Jersey City Historical Preservation Commission refused to grant the owner's request to tear down the building on the grounds that it is unsafe and too expensive to repair.

Horgan said he plans to file a lawsuit in Superior Court next week, challenging the commission's decision.

BONNIE FRIEDMAN