The people in the Jersey City area are making themselves heard on a proposition that probably “seemed like a good idea at the time.” An ordinance was proposed that would create “pedestrian plaza” on Newark Avenue from Barrow Street to Grove Street, and a stretch of Erie Street from Newark Avenue to Bay Street. It was proposed as a way of making the citizens of the Jersey Area safer.
The proposal was met with swift opposition, especially from the doctors whose offices are in the targeted area of the proposition. Most of those in opposition began by acknowledging the good motives of the initiators of the project, namely the safety of pedestrians in the high traffic area. If traffic is not allowed in the area, however, it would work a great hardship on the elderly and the handicapped people who are frequent users of the businesses and doctors there.
If the patients who have to go to the doctors on Newark Avenue can’t be dropped off in front of their doctor’s office, they would have to make their way on foot for blocks. This would be nothing more than a nuisance for a healthy person, but if you have to navigate by way of crutches or a wheelchair, it is a grave safety risk. Elderly patients, or heart patients would be of great concern, also.
Another problem would affect the stores and restaurants on Newark and the other affected streets. Many of their patrons are older people, some with arthritis or other debilitating ailments, who come down because they are reached easily from a car or a bus. If they have to walk for blocks to get there, though, this will reduce the business of these establishments.
These reservations about the project were voiced at the City Council meeting. The Council then voted to table their vote. No clear decision was made on when it would vote on the proposal again. It looks like the City Council is at least listening to the concerns of the citizens and business owners in the Jersey area.
What do you think about the proposed pedestrian plaza?
Edward