Description
See additional pics. The owners of the Capital One building have a major tripping hazard which their scaffolding has exasperated: they fail to maintain the tree wells on their property and the dirt is approximately 2 inches lower than sidewalk level which is a tripping hazard.
also asked...
Q. Please describe the sidewalk issue using the box below.
Α. Major Tripping Hazard
Α. Major Tripping Hazard
81 Comments
Jersey City, NJ (Verified Official)
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
jerseyflea (Registered User)
The two USPS boxes further narrow the walkway.
They should be moved elsewhere on the block, NOT opposite tree pits or other obstructions like lamp posts and sign posts.
TC (Registered User)
Maria (Registered User)
RTC (Registered User)
It’s bad enough the sidewalks are narrow, and the trees are lovely and much needed, but the placement of mailboxes on an already narrow stretch needs rethinking.
Also the tree pits not covered with grates add to the tripping hazards there.
TC (Registered User)
TC (Registered User)
Code Compliance Housing unit Supervisor - Fausto (Verified Official)
Omni (Verified Official)
Omni (Verified Official)
Maria (Registered User)
Αναγνωρισμένο Code Compliance Inspector - Wayne R (Verified Official)
Omni (Verified Official)
jerseyflea (Registered User)
TC (Registered User)
Maria (Registered User)
Code Compliance Housing unit Supervisor - Fausto (Verified Official)
jerseyflea (Registered User)
Maria (Registered User)
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
Maria (Registered User)
Code Compliance Inspector - Wayne R (Verified Official)
Maria (Registered User)
jerseyflea (Registered User)
The sidewalk in front of this building is 9' wide. There are five 4' x 4' tree pits, leaving 5' maximum walking space. The sidewalk pavement slab spacing averages 40".
Even if the postal boxes are removed, there is not enough room to walk between the entrance steps and the tree pit. The distance from the corner of the tree pit to the corner of the steps is only 28".
Section II.A.1.b. of the Spacing Requirements in the 2018 Jersey City Forestry Standards (JCFS) states:
"The minimum width of sidewalks free of impediments is 5’. No tree pit will be placed that will impede upon the required 5’ passageway on sidewalks."
Clearly, this tree never should have been planted at that location.
jerseyflea (Registered User)
Section Section II.A.1.f. of the JCFS also states:
"Minimum distance between trees (trunk to trunk) shall be 20 feet to 30 feet, depending upon the tree species and other local conditions."
This is the existing trunk to trunk spacing of the five trees in front of the building:
(North) Tree 1 < 31.5’ > Tree 2 < 30’ > Tree 3 < 41.5’ > Tree 4 < 36.5’ > Tree 5 (South)
This tree (#3) is about 30' from the next tree north (#2). If possible, Tree 3 should be moved 8' north, about 22' from Tree 2.
That would also place Tree 3 about 7' away from the siamese fire department connection that extends from the building.
There are other restrictions on tree spacing near water mains, streetlights, traffic signs and parking meters. For example, there may be a water main under the sidewalk near the siamese.
If the tree can’t be moved in accordance with the JCFS, it should be REMOVED.
jerseyflea (Registered User)
CapitolOne is a tenant at 35 Journal Square. The owner is Salman Capital. They have an office on the 4th Floor. Telephone 201-680-7100. Trees on sidewalks are maintained by the Division of Parks and Forestry.
The northernmost tree (#1) is older and surrounded by a metal tree grate (see photo).
Section II.C.3. Tree Grates of the JCFS states:
“Sidewalk-level tree grates are not permitted. These restrict tree growth.”
The grates for the other four trees in front of the building were evidently removed when new trees were planted. The surrounding soil or mulch has been worn away so much that the exposed concrete edges around these tree pits are a serious tripping hazard.
II.A.2. Tree Pit Dimensions of the JCFS offers a solution:
“In areas with heavy foot traffic a surface treatment such as permeable pavement, porous pavement, or permeable pavers may be used on top of a portion of the exposed planting area of the tree pit...”
The Forester’s office told me that a porous rubberized pavement, similar to that found on playgrounds, is used in such high-traffic areas. This should be installed in the four hazardous tree pits to eliminate the tripping hazards and provide a wider walking area.
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
Don't understand no tree grates because they're safer for pedestrians, as seen in the case of these dipping tree wells. There are tree grates installed in front of the Journal Squared buildings. Why can't the owners of this Cap One building install the same?
Maria (Registered User)
Code Compliance Commercial Unit Supervisor - David (Verified Official)
jerseyflea (Registered User)
Parks & Forestry is limited in what they can do. The scaffolding is a construction code issue.
On 15 July, Code Compliance South/West Supervisor - Fausto wrote:
"The reinspection date is for 8/16/21."
Was the inspection done and what was the outcome?
jerseyflea (Registered User)
According to the 2018 Jersey City Forestry Standards (JCFS), tree grates are not allowed and the minimum width is 5'. JCFS is readily available online.
There are some exceptions for older residential areas with narrow sidewalks, but that doesn't apply here.
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
Parks Maintenance - Alphonso Lynch (Registered User)
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
jerseyflea (Registered User)
TO: Parks & Forestry - Alphonso Lynch
I posted the following on 1 August. According to someone at the Forester's office, a porous rubberized pavement, similar to that found on playgrounds, is used in such high-traffic areas.
The northernmost tree (#1) is older and surrounded by a metal tree grate (see photo).
Section II.C.3. Tree Grates of the JCFS states:
“Sidewalk-level tree grates are not permitted. These restrict tree growth.”
The grates for the other four trees in front of the building were evidently removed when new trees were planted. The surrounding soil or mulch has been worn away so much that the exposed concrete edges around these tree pits are a serious tripping hazard.
II.A.2. Tree Pit Dimensions of the JCFS offers a solution:
“In areas with heavy foot traffic a surface treatment such as permeable pavement, porous pavement, or permeable pavers may be used on top of a portion of the exposed planting area of the tree pit...”
The Forester’s office told me that a porous rubberized pavement, similar to that found on playgrounds, is used in such high-traffic areas. This should be installed in the four hazardous tree pits to eliminate the tripping hazards and provide a wider walking area.
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
Κλειστό Forestry (Verified Official)
Reopened jerseyflea (Registered User)
Angelina,
Closing this issue is the WRONG MOVE!
Are you seeking to wipe out a year's worth of discussion and research?
Forestry still hasn't done anything to fix the problem.
It's very clear what has to be done:
1 Move the tree opposite the two mailboxes to the north, remove the tree pit and restore the concrete sidewalk.
2 Install a porous rubberized pavement in the 4 tree pits, level with the sidewalk.
A new issue was opened today, evidently based on a phone call to RRC:
https://seeclickfix.com/issues/13484599?poi_token=eb47b3e59961b6f6fc25576bbe26f29b9fcc4792&utm_campaign=poi-notice-email&utm_content=issue-card-header&utm_medium=email&utm_source=poi-email&utm_term=issue-image
That's the duplicate issue, not this one.
KEEP THIS ISSUE OPEN!
RTC (Registered User)
This may be private property but the building owner needs to correct the problem and shame on the city for not
addressing the issue.
Closing the complaint solves nothing. Out of town property owners are plaguing this city with their inability to maintain their properties correctly, all the while making big money here.
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
TC (Registered User)
TC (Registered User)
L (Registered User)
Email Councilman Richard Boggiano of Ward C. Also include a copy of this link so he can see for himself how the city has been dragging their feet with this issue. And it's been an issue for much longer than a year!!
RBoggiano@jcnj.org
(201) 547-5159
(201) 547-5172
280 Grove Street
Room 202
Jersey City, NJ 07302
RTC (Registered User)
Forestry (Verified Official)
Good morning all,
Just to give you some clarity, the Forestry Division has gone through many changes since this request was initially put in. Yes it's taken a very long time, I agree with all. The owners of the Capital One Building are responsible for the planning and placement of these trees. Being that it hasn't been done, I was able to speak to the Forestry Division and the Buildings and Streets Department. Their plans are to remove the trees and pave the sidewalk for better accessibility. Due to their backlogs, they will both do their best to complete this request within the next 90 days.
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
One tree needs to be moved(the one in the photos). Not removed but moved.
The rest can stay and should stay with proper leveling off of the dirt in their tree pits.
We're all asking that the sidewalk be opened up by the bank's entrance and the tree wells to be made safe. We're not asking for the only trees on the block to be slaughtered.
Forestry (Verified Official)
TC (Registered User)
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
jerseyflea (Registered User)
Angelina,
Please scroll up and look at previous posts about the mailboxes.
On 7 July 2021 I asked:
Has the [Code Compliance] Inspector/Investigator notified the Post Office (in the next block on Bergen Ave.) that the two mailboxes must be relocated?
And again on 15 July 2021:
Was the Post Office (in the next block on Bergen Ave.) notified that the two mailboxes must be relocated?
On 28 July 2021 I posted a photo and commented:
Even if the postal boxes are removed, there is not enough room to walk between the entrance steps and the tree pit. The distance from the corner of the tree pit to the corner of the steps is only 28".
I wish you success getting the mailboxes relocated. But even if they are moved from this location, it does nothing to widen the accessible walkway.
Is the next step (so to speak), to have the building owners cut out some of the steps?
If Forestry moves the tree, removes the tree pit and restores the sidewalk, the accessibility problem at that location is solved.
Then the last task is to install a porous rubberized pavement in the 4 tree pits, level with the sidewalk.
TC (Registered User)
RTC (Registered User)
Maria (Registered User)
I know that some local officials, like the RRC folks, generally care, but, sadly, it's not enough.
PEKJC (Registered User)
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
TC (Registered User)
RTC (Registered User)
I would bet this wouldn’t be the case if it was downtown JC.
Maria (Registered User)
Forestry (Verified Official)
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
RTC (Registered User)
ADA should be all over this mess.
Maria (Registered User)
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
RTC (Registered User)
TC (Registered User)
Maria (Registered User)
How about collecting taxes from all these developers so that there will be enough revenue to address issues like this? Assigning issues and issuing citations isn't enough.
RTC (Registered User)
It’s clearly an ADA issue
TC (Registered User)
Bergen Square Resident (Registered User)
Κλειστό RRC Supervisor - Antonio (Verified Official)