Could not agree more. Thank you OP. This whole stretch invites cut-thru traffic on a residential street with TWO schools, a seniors building, and a church.

totally agree with you, they'll fix it maybe when someone gets unalived by a car or truck

ok, I have to double check this because my understanding is it is one way

However, you are saying that is not what the striping is showing. Is this correct?

It’s a double yellow and there is no indication that it’s one way. I think you are saying it’s essentially a one way bc in theory westbound 139 traffic can’t turn onto Saint Paul’s bc of the barrier and east bound traffic is supposed to turn earlier. I speculate that it’s a double yellow for people leaving that stupid parking triangle. Either way it’s not a functioning design for the reasons above as well as other reasons. Thank you!

I was saying in theory it is designated as one way for that tiny section.

The below is a street view dating November 2020. Is this sign no longer there? Even with the sign, it still looks like part of that section is 2-way so I get it. I always trusted what you were saying, but I always check back with the requestor so I don't screw up how I convey his to the engineers.

Here is the link to the map - https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7373873,-74.0597972,3a,75y,109.98h,75.1t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sxNjrNRrz5IHbTduklMUEXQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

It looks like the ONE way sign is only at where it meets 139 and not exactly where someone is pulling out of the parking lot... not that they wouldn't just ignore it anyways.

I'm very human and I rush to get so many things done and I rely on you to set me straight. I am sorry that takes a little extra work, but in the end your request gets put before the engineers crystal clear :D

Wait, I need more info!

Why is it bad that people exit the parking lot onto St Pauls instead of Bevan? I mean for pedestrians. Where do they fit into this picture? Are they traveling to and from the Heights to Journal Square (transportation hub) or are some traveling from JSQ to the park?

There is a crosswalk on St. Pauls and pedestrians crossing are likely not expecting drivers on the painted "no driving" area/shoulder. They are also unlikely to be able to see people driving on the shoulder while they are crossing due to the normal traffic lane. Also, as illustrated, drivers continue on and cut across traffic to get to the left lane of 139 which many people use a shortcut because of the poorly designed crosswalk across 139. Have personally seen many close calls from that. So it's pretty dangerous for pedestrians, especially since it's the main route for parents and kids to get to PS26 from JSQ.

I would hope the city would consider making the no-driving deterrents physical or, more optimistically, converting that Bermuda triangle of parking into an actual park for residents. I'm not an accredited regional infrastructure optimization specialist and urban growth strategist but below are some ideas.

The City can't just alter traffic intersections touching County or State roads, BUT you brought this up at just the right moment.

#1 in the picture is what NJDOT is turning into a park. The timing is to be determined and they say they will be sharing a draft copy of the park with the City. As soon as the City gets it, we will share with the public. This would be the time to get them to make safety changes.

#2 is not at all accurate, but the new development there is creating a park opposite of #1. This goes to show the more pedestrians that will need a safe passage to the open spaces.

So That you for the detailed explanation and image. It is more helpful than you could know. Let me put this in front of the engineers and planners who will be interacting with the State.

looks like i forgot to attach the image.

However, I got #2 incorrect. That bit of public space is between Summit and Central, but the idea is the same. The pedestrian traffic will only increase.

UPDATE: I had a conversation with staff members in Infrastructure and apparently they have more than thought about this issue and the very concerns you brought up. I will update you if I find out anything further on this odd triangle.

Althea seems to be the ONLY one who works and follows up! Keep up the kick a$$ job girl!!!

Althea — again, just want to express my appreciation for your diligence, time, and respectful approach to supporting residents. Many thanks.

Ditto! Althea ROCKS!!!

#2 is private property of 201 St. Pauls Condo Assoc....

I'm one of the few following up on SCF. The RRC also works hard to follow up, but honestly there are ton of really hard working people in the City that don't have the time to communicate.

There are also many in different divisions that follow up. Got to love the RRC. Code Compliance puts us all o shame. Daniella kicks butt on signs.

I think though, you mean this is where we connect the City and the residents with the long term requests.... this is by far the hardest thing to do and is a full time job until we can get all of these requests in a queue with two way communication and follow up.

At first I did not want the accolades, because I am doing the bare minimum that the City should provide. Now I am really appreciating them. It is feed back. I also appreciate negative feed back.

I admit though, I love Infrastructure. I feel like not only are the engineers and planners I work with great (especially since we have moved away from a car-centric perspective), I feel like I can support so many other divisions and departments. You all make this fun to boot!

That might be true, but we ONLY see you respond and take the time, maybe the others should take at least 30mins out of their day to just respond and input info

I also wish some others — mainly from
sanitation — who engage on SCF requests would be more respectful and courteous with residents. We are all trying hard to make our community better — cleaner and safer. Althea, you approach our requests with a partnership mindset. I hope others can learn from you.

Totally agree with 👆🏼

Althea it’s great that there will be future green space in nearby areas and this does heighten the need for more safety on this section of Saint Paul’s. There is zero benefit to the community to keep these highly unsafe conditions which are present due to this parking lot and wide travel lanes. Thank you for you attention as always!

I am trying to figure out the property owner of the parking lot, but cannot find it. It is a very odd piece of property. It might be Conrail or NJDOT, but I do not know who would be parking on their land. Maybe employees of either organization or perhaps there is a lease to a 3rd party.

It was always my impression that it was owned by jersey city. It’s public parking with signage. I will see if I can snap a pic.

This is a sign inside the parking lot which seems to indicate that there is street sweeping in here, so is this just a roadway?

Would love to see this parking lot go and be used as some kind of pocket park or playground. The buildings here have their own parking lots.

Soooooo..... it was definitely a staging area for the NJDOT while they were upgrading Rt 139

Then somewhere between 2016 and 2019 it was redone and made into a parking lot. I just don't know by whom.

2007 I want that car!!!! the street view and the car look like they are from the 70's!

Why do I have the theme song to Barrett in my head? i am too young to know that show.

It would make sense that it’s part of 139 but why would it have that parking sign for sweeping. Don’t we only sweep city owned streets 🕵️‍♀️

It has always been Jersey City and considered a street, even though they had nose in parking. It looks like NJ DOT revamped it and now it is back under the aegis of Jersey City. I am going to follow up with the engineers and planners on Monday.

Ok, here is the update. The parking lot is the City's. The NJDOT upgraded it after having used it as a staging area. When I brought this issue to the engineers, they are very familiar with it and have tossed around a few thoughts on what to do here.

I'm going to be honest though, this deserves a well thought out plan and community input. The engineers and planners are at full capacity with some of the issues dating back to 2018. It looks like we will be able to review in the fall/winter to see what we can do for next season.

I promise you this is on the list and will not be forgotten.

Thanks for the update AND the transparency Althea. I know MANY community members would love a pocket playground in the area. With all the changes coming to that corner it will be interesting to see what opportunities arise in the immediate area and what can be placed here to compliment those new amenities. The existing condos in this area have their own private green space and their own private playground so they have so much more than their surrounding community. We are forced to walk 20 minutes across 139 to go to Pershing or about 20 minutes across Tonnelle and Broadway to Gussy's playground in ward B. Having even a small playground within walking distance would be a life changer for many children. There are kids in my area that play in a parking lot they have to break into. Its not ideal but its the only choice currently. I know the city is working with many new developments to include public green space but there is no way to ensure the developer actually executes their promise so its imperative to also have truely public areas, not just public/private areas that fall through the cracks.

100 percent agreed with the comment above mine. Thank you.

now would be a good time to put out thoughts of what you want for the future. I will then summarize all the ideas and put it in the report so that when the time comes, we can revisit this request and see how people feel and share them with the engineers and planners.

I know there might be some short term stuff we can do in the near future to make it safer concerning the one way/two way confusion.

So throw every idea out there :)

I have another question that would greatly help. Where do you get your community info/updates? In case area stuff comes up, like the next Courthouse Park meeting, we can make sure people are looped in.