Sidewalk Concern PLUS

There is no SeeClickFix category for Street Obstructionm, so I used Sidewalk Obstruction.

I already spoke with people at the Office of Code Compliance. They will send someone to investigate.

A small triangle of land next to the condominium apartment building at 278 Magnolia was recently acquired by the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency (JCRA). This is part of the Loew’s restoration project and will eventually allow tractor trailers to back up to a future loading dock at the rear of the theater.

The original traffic permit P-TP-240618163137612 was for three parking spaces in front of 278-282 Magnolia to facilitate demolition of a fence and short wall. The original permit was for 24 June to 13 July. It was later extended for two more weeks and expired last weekend.

That work was completed on 26 June. During that time no barricades or fencing were erected and pedestrians were able to use the pedestrian walkway and safely walk around the dumpsters and the work site. NO other visible work has been done in that area since then.

On 27 June, AFTER the work was completed, the ENTIRE end of Magnolia Ave. was fenced off, including the parking garage entrance and the pedestrian walkway.

The pedestrian walkway between Magnolia and Pavonia was closed until 1 July, after the fencing was changed to allow pedestrian traffic around the small plot next to 278 Magnolia.

More than 200 feet of construction fencing was erected to construct a roundabout narrow walkway around the end of Magnolia near the Loew's theater and to enclose a large area that has ONLY been used for parking a Phelps Construction pickup truck and cars.

This fencing restricts pedestrian and vehicle access to the buildings on both sides of the Magnolia St. dead end.

The construction fencing blocking the end of Magnolia was NEVER needed and SHOULD BE REMOVED!

To Whom It May Concern,

I am a resident of Jersey City, and I am writing to report a serious safety hazard that caused my husband to fall and sustain injuries. The incident occurred at the corner of West Side Avenue and Duncan Avenue, where there is a raised platform in front of a corner store. The raised area is the same color as the surrounding sidewalk and is difficult to distinguish, especially when walking.

While turning onto Duncan Avenue from West Side Avenue, my husband did not notice the elevated platform and tripped, falling hard onto the pavement. Thankfully, he did not hit his head, but he sustained injuries including bleeding wounds, a bruised and cut knee, injuries to his palm, and damage to his wrist joints. We have photographs of both the sidewalk hazard and his injuries, which we are willing to provide upon request.

This step/platform is extremely dangerous and poses a serious risk to pedestrians. I am confident that others may have experienced similar accidents in this area, and I urge the city to take immediate action to correct this hazard—whether by painting it in a contrasting color, adding signage, or redesigning the sidewalk.

Please confirm receipt of this letter and let me know what steps will be taken to address this issue. We trust the city will take public safety seriously and act swiftly to prevent future injuries.