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I don't think people are against the Beacon, real estate development or urban rejuvenation per se, but people probably do take offense to the possibility of anyone with a vested interest (realtors, developers, owners, etc.) spreading misinformation for their own economic benefit.
Like you said, development and growth of any city's less agreeable parts would be "good for everyone" but that does not allow anyone in the RE business to ignore any issues or mislead unsuspecting folk
bingo, if the guy had said honestly for example "the area is not good but the building is nice etc..." noone would have problem with it. Instead of the flat out lies "Its not really that dangerous of a part of Jersey City. Its average city crime area , minor stuff..." what a load of bs.
bottomline beacon is a nice building, the developer did a great job restoring it, but the area outside sucks. If all you do is drive in and out and find some good valued units for sale, it might be worth considering. Just remember location X3 and decide for yourself.
They've done a lot to the old medical center, and I'm sure they're beautiful inside. But as long as Montgomery Gardens sits right across Cornelison Street, I wouldn't move there no matter what they cost. I'll pony up more $$ and buy at Newport, or other spots near the waterfront. Even parts of lower Greenville near West Side & Danforth Ave aren't too bad. I have a cousin who's a speech therapist for the board of Ed and she won't go into Montgomery without an escort after she almost got caught a the crossfire of bullets one day while attempting to see a child.
It's been said that Montgomery won't come down for years because the city has to wait for everyone to leave. I'm sorry to sound cruel, but if you're living on the public dole, the city shouldn't have to wait to set their demolition plans to YOUR schedule. The city needs to set a hard deadline, and if you're so dysfunctional that you cannot find alternate low-income housing after 2 years notice (and there are layers of gov't agencies to hold your hand through this process), then there is no hope for you.
This Beacon area will not begin to thrive until Montgomery goes the way of Curries Woods and Duncan (if the city quits dragging their feet on them too). And probably not until a light rail line runs up to the Beacon area.
Recently the third building at the Beacon complex, The Mercury, sold 5 units. These units range in price from $850,000 to $1.2 million. So there are still people who can actually afford it, not like most of the nay sayers on this thread, that are willing to buy a place at the Beacon. Sarah Jessica Parker did a photo shoot for a major fashion magazine at the Beacon a couple of weeks ago. How many magazines are doing photo shoots where you live? Let me guess, not many. The Montgomery Projects will be coming down faster than Duncan because the Montgomery demolition is a partnership between the government and private developers. Still, it will take 5 years to get it done, but I didn't buy a the Beacon to flip it, I bought there to live there. When Montgomery Gardens comes down there will be mixed income housing and retail in its place. I don't want to call anyone names either, I understand there are a lot of people in Jersey City that the gentification of the city has passed by.Mod cutYes there is violence in the areas around the Beacon complex, but that is true downtown too. Try going through Van Vorst Park late at night. This is a big city. To denigrate our home because the area around it has problems brought about by institutionalized poverty, racism, and the failed drug war, is unfair. Every area of the city has some crime, so what. If you are that afraid you should move to the suburbs. And by the way, I'm not a realtor. I work at a law firm in NYC. I report on this thread how it is to actually live at the Beacon, and what I see from the inside and walking the perimiter, and an occassional walk to Journal Square. What most of you are saying, since you don't live there, or even near it, is speculation on what it must be like, Mod cutnot how it is.
"Sour grapes from the working class poor huh"? Wow its good to know that JC is attracting pretencious "white collars" (sarcasm). You must be one of those types that just moved here yet have all the answers. Most of the people telling you the facts about the building and neighborhood have spent many years in the city. I know this because their other posts reveal this. I say hey live there if you want, its your choice, I just think its hilarious people shell out those bucks to live in that once known "dump" and yes I have personal experience with the place and its surroundings. I also hope you are never a victim of crime, but you should be ok if you use your noggin. But something tells me if God forbid something happens to you in the neighborhood, you'll be singing a much different tune. Most people who move into bad neighborhoods have the same mentality as you until they get mugged or something then they're the first to high tail it outta there. Oh and I dont think theres much to worry about in Van Vorst Park, the place is just another generic yuppie hangout now.
bingo, if the guy had said honestly for example "the area is not good but the building is nice etc..." noone would have problem with it. Instead of the flat out lies "Its not really that dangerous of a part of Jersey City. Its average city crime area , minor stuff..." what a load of bs.
bottomline beacon is a nice building, the developer did a great job restoring it, but the area outside sucks. If all you do is drive in and out and find some good valued units for sale, it might be worth considering. Just remember location X3 and decide for yourself.
That's it in a nutshell. glad the old Medical center was restored and put to good use..it's the neighborhood or should I say lack of that sucks
I hear you Costanza, and I love the Seinfeld reference. A lot of shills out there. Just seems to me that even when Beacon owners go on these boards to talk about how much they like living there, they get pummelled. Strange how people get so worked up over these things.
I hear you Costanza, and I love the Seinfeld reference. A lot of shills out there. Just seems to me that even when Beacon owners go on these boards to talk about how much they like living there, they get pummelled. Strange how people get so worked up over these things.
Mod cut
To also tar the entirety of JC with his broad, sweeping "violence" brush doesn't help anyone either. It seems a bizarre strategy to talk up Beacon while talking down all of JC. It's the opposite of your "urban rejuvenation is good for all" sentiment
Last edited by Viralmd; 03-05-2010 at 12:10 PM..
Reason: No discussion of moderator actions.
The Hudson County Chamber of Commerce kicks off their new Hudson County History Series with the first event highlighting “The History of Jersey City” at the Beacon on Montgomery Street in downtown Jersey City. The event will be held this Tuesday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Just because someone says nice things about a building complex that you don't agree with doesn't indicate that they work for the developer or they are in real estate (I am neither). Also, those old timers who spent a lot of their time in JC and think they know what the Beacon is like, or who think they know the area, do not compare to those of us who actually live there every day. I've walked my two little 20 pound dogs around the perimeter of the Beacon from Montgomery to the end of Clinton Place up until 11 p.m. at all times of the year without a problem. I've been solicited for change twice (I said no) - that's it. Montgomery Gardens is coming down (the Beacon developer and another developer are doing it as a joint project) but realistically they are projecting that project will take 5 years. They will do it in stages, moving people that remain in some of the buildings to other buildings, so they can take them down one at a time. The law in NJ concerning renters is fairly generous, so they have to deal with that, but Montgomery Gardens is not accepting any new tennants (since a year ago) and the relocation of existing residents has begun. I agree, we would like the area around the Beacon to look better, and to have more shops geared toward quality and our interests, but we are in a "Catch 22" situation. The local shop keepers say they won't stock what we want until we shop there, and we say we won't shop there until they stock what we want. The local licquor store has seen their business rise substantially since we moved in, but they haven't put a dime into their store decor. The corner Greek diner has great cheap food, but they also haven't put any money into their building since the 1970's (at least it looks that way). We have very easy access to the shopping and restaurants around Grove St and Exchange Place because our shuttle busses go there once every 10 min. during rush hours and once every 30 min other times, including weekends, so we do not engage the area around the Beacon as much as we might. Cornealison is much different today than it was 2 and a half years ago when I moved in, because the Police Motorcycle Squad is housed in a Beacon building on that street now. As a result, the dealers and prostitutes that used to frequent that area, have moved South and West. So you can believe the people who "know the area" or you can believe someone who lives there and experiances it every day. Take your pick.
Found this interesting article about what the developer of The Beacon has done to restore the buildings and convert them to condos: New York House - Living Larger than Life
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Here we go again
