Debris floats in the water at the scene where a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Jersey City, N.J. (Ted Shaffrey / AP Photo)
Residents are rallying together in light of the helicopter crash in the Hudson River and local businesses can apply for a couple of opportunities. Those are just a bit of the news from this week’s Hudson County news roundup.
Here’s more from this week.
Locals Calling To ‘Stop The Chop’ On Nonessential Helicopters
A tourist helicopter ride carrying family members from Spain crashed into the Hudson River at the waterfront in downtown Jersey City, killing six people, including three children this past Thursday.
A number of New Jersey officials including Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and Councilman James Solomon have called to address concerns over helicopter tourism.
A petition has been circulating to urge NJ officials and elected representatives to support a ban of nonessential helicopter rides, which would reduce helicopter noise and pollution. The goal of the petition is to get to 800 signatures; at the time of its writing, it has gathered 783.
“Waterfront communities along the Hudson River are subjected to endless noise pollution as this waterway has now become a ‘helicopter highway’ … For-profit helicopter companies treat the NY/NJ region’s skies and neighborhoods as their private domain without regard for the millions of people who are negatively affected on a daily basis. Tourist “joyrides” have been allowed to dangerously proliferate, while wealthy commuters seek to literally rise above the rest of us, heedless of the misery they inflict on the many below,” reads a section of the petition.
You can sign the petition here.
Jersey City Is One Of Three Worldwide Pokémon GO Fest Locations
Jersey City is getting ready to catch ‘em all. Jersey City is among just three cities across the world that is hosting Pokémon GO Fest as part of just two other locations: Osaka, Japan and Paris, France.
From June 6 to 8, attendees will explore Jersey City while they compete and hunt for Pokémon. Local businesses are also being encouraged to join in on the fun.
The Historic Downtown Jersey City Special Improvement District is accepting applications from local businesses to offering themed specials, hosting events or even setting up charging stations for trainers on the go.
If any local business is interested, you can fill out the form here by May 1.
Want To Renovate A Park Or Run A Preservation Project? This Grant Is Now Open
The applications are now open for the Open Space, Recreation, and Historic Reservation Trust Fund.
The Jersey City Open Space Trust Fund (JCOSTF) sponsors land acquisition, park improvement and historic preservation projects. These are each made possible by the Open Space Trust Fund.
According to the form, eligible projects include:
- Acquisition of land for conservation and recreation purposes. Property must be clean and the City must be placed on the Deed.
- Development and redevelopment of land existing or acquired for recreational and/or conservation purposes.
- Historic preservation of historic properties, structures, facilities, sites, etc.
- Improvements or new amenities in a public park.
- Minor repair, such as a broken bench or swing, should be reported to The Resident Response Center online or by phone at (201) 547-4900.
Those eligible to apply include: the city of Jersey City, all Jersey City government agencies and affiliates plus local entities, non-profit corporations, and qualified charitable conservancies located within the city.
Applications will be open until May 12.
For more information or to apply, click here.
Looking For Summer Fun? The Riverview Farmers Market Is Back
The Riverview Farmers Market is just weeks away!
On Sunday, May 4, the 15th season of the Riverview Farmers Market will begin in Riverview Park in the Jersey City Heights. There will be a full slate of returning vendors as well as new ones.
Their main market season will run every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting May 4 through November 23, 2025, rain or shine.
Those that are interested in being a vendor with Riverside, you can find this year’s vendor application and more details here.
The 2025 festival dates are now live and featured on their Events Calendar. Some highlighted events include:
- May 4: Opening Day
- June 1: Sustainability Day
- June 22: Summer Solstice
- July 27: Peach Pie Contest
- September 28: Fall Harvest Festival
- November 2: Day of the Dead
- December 6: Heights Holiday Market
You can keep an eye on their Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates on their events.
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Turnpike Widening And New Ferry Service Underway In Bayonne, Aimed To Help Commuters
City officials in Bayonne are booked and busy with two projects that aim to make commutes in and out of Bayonne run more smoothly. The two projects include an $11 billion turnpike extension and a Bayonne ferry terminal.
Despite heavy controversy, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority is going forward with its plans to change and replace the nearly 70-year-old Newark Bay Bridge, which gets drivers from the Turnpike into Manhattan through Bayonne.
The new bridge would double the lanes on each side of the road to four, which according to Davis would lift the burden off of commuters to New York City and Bayonne’s vital local shipping jobs.
“You’re sitting in traffic,” said Davis. “There are days, it’ll take you 20 minutes just to get through the toll, and it could take you anywhere from a half hour to 40 minutes to get over the bridge. I don’t know a point in my life that they weren’t fixing the roadway on that bridge, except for now.”
The second project Bayonne is meant to be another solution for commuters, specifically for getting them to Manhattan faster. Back in February, Bayonne closed in on a long-awaited deal to get ferry service from their city to New York City.
Bayonne City Council is projected to approve a ferry operator within the next month with a targeted launch date late this year.
Jersey City Approves Hotel Project To Some’s Dismay
A hotel is expected to fill in the space at 201 Newark Avenue, right in Downtown Jersey City, replacing what once was a Capital One bank branch.
The Albion, a 72-room hotel and hospitality project has been approved by Jersey City’s Zoning Board. The plan was unanimously approved during a special meeting held by Jersey City’s Zoning Board on March 27. The project has been in talks for several years and was expanded from a seven-story version that first emerged last year.
Landmark Hospitality is leading the development. They own other high-end hospitality services in New Jersey including several Jersey City venues:
- Liberty House
- Hudson House
- The View at Lincoln Park
72-room hotel and hospitality project called The Albion has been approved by Jersey City’s Zoning Board. (Courtesy of Michael Graves via Jersey Digs).
Most of the original structure will be kept and be preserved under the plans. Among a number of listed plans, the hotel will also include two Asian-themed restaurants, an art gallery, green roof and a rooftop with indoor theater space and outdoor rooftop deck with a bar and indoor grand room.
The approval of The Albion hotel was met with some controversy and upset residents during public comment speaking and in online threads. The development is nearly double the allowable height of 64 feet under current zoning, according to Jersey Digs.
“They’re literally forcing everyone who’s lived in Jersey City all their lives out so that they can
turn it into Manhattan. Fulop sounds like someone else who’s only caring about him and
his,” commented one user on FaceBook.
“Illegally building 9 stories in the only downtown area only allowed to have up to 5 stories. So
disgusted that the zoning board is allowing this blatant violation,” commented another.
Meanwhile, some residents were excited about the new development.
“Fantastic to see! A great addition to the vibrant Grove Street pedestrian area, and they’re
keeping the beautiful integrity of the building,” said one user.
While the zoning board approved it, a possible legal challenge could still be in the cards.
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at saccettola@sliceofculture.com!
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