111 First owner is a step closer to demolition; historic status KO'd
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
By BONNIE FRIEDMAN
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
A New York City developer who has been fighting for more than a year to demolish a former industrial building in Downtown Jersey City won a major victory last week when Superior Court Judge Maurice Gallipoli vacated a city ordinance granting historic status to 16 buildings in the Warehouse District.
Gallipoli's ruling leaves in doubt the fate of 111 First St. - a onetime artist enclave that had served as the centerpiece of the Powerhouse Arts District - unless the city files an appeal.
The historic preservation ordinance, adopted by the City Council last year, stated buildings in the district would be protected "from demolition or alteration without review by the Jersey City Historic Preservation Commission and the city's historic preservation specialist."
In July, five commissioners rejected an application from building owner Lloyd Goldman of New Gold Equities to demolish 111 First St. The commission didn't agree with Goldman's claim that the 130-year-old brick building is in imminent danger of collapse and would be too costly to repair.
Gallipoli vacated the city ordinance, saying several of the commissioners were serving expired terms and thus were not legal members of the board, said Victor Herlinsky, an attorney for the city.
However, according to city records, the nine members and two alternates on the historic preservation commission are all within their current terms.
Mayor Jerramiah Healy said through his spokeswoman that he is consulting with the legal department before deciding whether to appeal Gallipoli's ruling.
But many of the building's former tenants - who have continued to stay involved with the building since moving out in March - think it's the beginning of the end for the former P. Lorillard Tobacco Co. warehouse.
"It's such a shame to see it go," said Paul Sullivan, a sculptor and former tenant. "But it's more of a loss for the city. The artists will figure out other places to work."
Several other lawsuits have yet to be heard by the courts. The parties will meet in federal court Monday to hear Goldman's claim that the city is in violation of his constitutional rights.
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Wednesday, November 23, 2005
By BONNIE FRIEDMAN
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
A New York City developer who has been fighting for more than a year to demolish a former industrial building in Downtown Jersey City won a major victory last week when Superior Court Judge Maurice Gallipoli vacated a city ordinance granting historic status to 16 buildings in the Warehouse District.
Gallipoli's ruling leaves in doubt the fate of 111 First St. - a onetime artist enclave that had served as the centerpiece of the Powerhouse Arts District - unless the city files an appeal.
The historic preservation ordinance, adopted by the City Council last year, stated buildings in the district would be protected "from demolition or alteration without review by the Jersey City Historic Preservation Commission and the city's historic preservation specialist."
In July, five commissioners rejected an application from building owner Lloyd Goldman of New Gold Equities to demolish 111 First St. The commission didn't agree with Goldman's claim that the 130-year-old brick building is in imminent danger of collapse and would be too costly to repair.
Gallipoli vacated the city ordinance, saying several of the commissioners were serving expired terms and thus were not legal members of the board, said Victor Herlinsky, an attorney for the city.
However, according to city records, the nine members and two alternates on the historic preservation commission are all within their current terms.
Mayor Jerramiah Healy said through his spokeswoman that he is consulting with the legal department before deciding whether to appeal Gallipoli's ruling.
But many of the building's former tenants - who have continued to stay involved with the building since moving out in March - think it's the beginning of the end for the former P. Lorillard Tobacco Co. warehouse.
"It's such a shame to see it go," said Paul Sullivan, a sculptor and former tenant. "But it's more of a loss for the city. The artists will figure out other places to work."
Several other lawsuits have yet to be heard by the courts. The parties will meet in federal court Monday to hear Goldman's claim that the city is in violation of his constitutional rights.
- bill 11-24-2005 6:43 pm