Title
Dept/ Agency: Offices of Municipal Council/City Clerk
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Urging Support of the Essex-Hudson Greenway Project
Purpose: To urge support for the Essex-Hudson Greenway Project, including the revitalization of the section that is located within the City of Newark and for the State of New Jersey to set aside sufficient funds to effectuate the acquisition of the right-of-way and to support the annual debt service associated with the purchase and construction of the greenway.
Sponsor(s): Council Member, Anibal Ramos, Jr. and Council Vice President, Luis A. Quintana
Additional Information:
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WHEREAS, the Open Space Institute Land Trust, Inc., has entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Norfolk Southern Railway Company, to acquire the 8.63-mile rail right-of-way of the former New York and Greenwood Lake Railroad, beginning at the point of abandonment in Montclair Township, and lying within the municipalities of Glen Ridge Borough, Bloomfield Township, Belleville Township, and the City of Newark in Essex County and the Town of Kearny, the Town of Secaucus to the point of abandonment in the City of Jersey City in Hudson County; and
WHEREAS, the right-of-way passes through portions of two (2) counties and eight (8) municipalities, and will connect users to a myriad of schools, businesses, transit stations, and facilities providing a safe corridor of travel for students and commuters alike; and
WHEREAS, the County Commissioners of Essex and Hudson have previously signaled their support for the creation of a linear park and greenway along the abandoned rail right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, the Municipal Council has previously signaled its support for the creation of a linear park and greenway along the abandoned rail right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, the completion of the purchase of the right-of-way from Norfolk Southern Railway Company requires the agreement on the part of the State of New Jersey to confirm its commitment to set aside sufficient funds to effectuate the acquisition of the right-of-way and to support the annual debt service associated with the purchase and construction of the greenway; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Essex-Hudson Greenway enters Newark along the northern end of Branch Brook Park, runs parallel to Verona Avenue and intersects with Mt. Prospect Avenue, Broadway, and McCarter Highway; and
WHEREAS, the Newark section of the Essex-Hudson Greenway is approximately 1.1 miles long and will connect Branch Brook Park with surrounding neighborhoods and communities; and
WHEREAS, the portion of the Essex-Hudson greenway located within the City of Newark (the “Project”) will provide Newark residents, employees, and visitors with safe bicycle and pedestrian connections to the communities, parks, schools, colleges, commerce, and other destinations along the route; increase property values; ease local congestion on roads; and provide a venue for active and passive recreation; and
WHEREAS, the Project will address Combined Sewer Outfall (CSO) and stormwater flooding by incorporating stormwater mitigation measures and “green” infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, to qualify for potential grants and/or federal and state funding, a resolution of support endorsing the Project from the City of Newark may be required.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Municipal Council hereby re-affirms its support to the Essex-Hudson Greenway Project, including the revitalization of the section that is located within the City of Newark.
2. The Municipal Council hereby conveys its enthusiastic support for the State of New Jersey to set aside sufficient funds to effectuate the acquisition of the right-of-way and to support the annual debt service associated with the purchase and construction of the greenway.
3. The Mayor of the City of Newark and/or his designee, the Deputy Mayor/Director of the Department of Economic and Housing Development are hereby authorized to file grant applications, as they come available, for undertakings related to the Project that will support the Newark portion of the Essex-Hudson Greenway.
4. All successful grant applications shall be presented to the Municipal Council for approval prior to the acceptance of grant funds.
5. The City of Newark is not required to provide any funds for this Project.
STATEMENT
Resolution supporting the Essex-Hudson Greenway Project, including the revitalization of the section that is located within the City of Newark and for the State of New Jersey to set aside sufficient funds to effectuate the acquisition of the right-of-way and to support the annual debt service associated with the purchase and construction of the greenway.