Harsimus Stem Embankment
The Harsimus Stem Embankment, also called Sixth Street Embankment, is a half-mile-long historic railroad embankment, now abandoned and largely overgrown with foliage, in the heart of Jersey City's historic downtown. Twenty seven[clarification needed] high,[1] it runs along the south side of Sixth Street, west from Marin Boulevard to Brunswick Street and is the border between the Harsimus and Hamilton Park neighborhoods. The overhead tracks of the beam bridge west of Brunswick Street have been dismantled and the stone abutments remain.[2]
This elevated stone structure once carried seven tracks of the Pennsylvania Railroad's Passaic and Harsimus Line to its freight yards and carfloat operations on the Hudson River at Harsimus Cove, and its vast warehouse and distribution facility, now Harborside Financial Center. The line was part of the railroad's vast holdings on the waterfront which included the Exchange Place passenger terminal and the Greenville Yard. The Embankment is listed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places, is eligible for the National Register, and is a Jersey City municipal landmark.[3]
A local citizens' movement is lobbying local governments, chiefly Hudson County and the city of Jersey City, to acquire the land and convert the Embankment to a public park. The developer who owns the land that the Embankment sits on is opposed. In September 2010 a federal court ruled that sale to the developer was legal and that the city has previously not exercised its first option to buy the right-of-way from Conrail. The decision may lead the city to take the structure through eminent domain.,[4][5] though a $1 million grant request was not honored.[6] The developer's proposals to sell portions of the land to the city have been rejected.[7][8] The case is being brought to a higher appeals court.[1][9]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Lynch, Jake (September 12, 2011). "High Hopes for the Harsimus Embankment: The Fight to Create an Elevated Rail-Trail in New Jersey". Rails-to-Trail Consevervancy. http://www.railstotrails.org/ourWork/whereWeWork/northeast/harsimus.html. Retrieved 2011-09-25.
- ^ Martin, Antoinette (November 5, 2010). "Conflict in Jersey City Over a ‘High Line' Park - In the Region". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/realestate/07njzo.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=jersey%20city&st=cse.
- ^ New Jersey Register ID #131 "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places - Hudson County". NJ DEP - Historic Preservation Office. January 8, 2009. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/hpo/1identify/nrsr_lists/hudson.pdf. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
- ^ http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2010/06/25/council-report-dpwjcia-bonding-approved-embankment-deal-moves-forward-and-more/
- ^ http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2010/09/federal_judge_rules_for_develo.html
- ^ http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2010/09/hudson_county_plans_to_fund_62.html
- ^ http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2011/05/jersey_city_city_council_rejec.html
- ^ http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2011/05/13/jersey-city-rejects-settlement-offer-regarding-6th-street-embankment/
- ^ http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2010/10/25/6th-street-embankment-case-heading-to-federal-appeals-court/
[edit] External links
- Harsimus Stem Embankment Preservation Coalition
- "6th Street Embankment". http://www.jclandmarks.org/6thStreetEmbankment.shtml. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
- 40°43′31″N 74°02′39″W / 40.7252°N 74.0441°WCoordinates: 40°43′31″N 74°02′39″W / 40.7252°N 74.0441°W
- Conservation Resources Inc
- National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Appellate court brief regardin Conrail transfer
