New Jersey

September 16, 2020

Hoboken releases plan to extend outdoor dining through the winter

Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla seems to always be one step ahead of his counterpart in NYC when it comes to social COVID preparations. And this time, he's planning to extend outdoor dining straight through to 2021. Yesterday, Mayor Bhalla and the Hoboken City Council released guidelines on safe, outdoor heating options, application information for businesses to continue participating, and procedures on snow removal.
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September 4, 2020

NJ’s American Dream mall will reopen October 1

New Jersey's American Dream megamall will reopen its doors next month after shuttering for six months because of the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier this summer, the mall's future looked bleak, with developer Triple Five Group missing mortgage payments and multiple tenants leaving the site. But with American Dream's indoor ski park officially running again and retail stores and attractions set to reopen on October 1, the mall's luck may be turning around.
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August 31, 2020

New Jersey will open indoor dining and movie theaters for Labor Day weekend

Much like his decision to open beaches ahead of Memorial Day weekend, Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey will allow indoor dining to resume across his state this Friday, just ahead of Labor Day weekend. In a Tweet this morning, Murphy said that restaurants and bars can begin operating indoors at 25-percent capacity with social distancing in between tables. In a later press conference, he also announced that movie theaters and other indoor performance venues can reopen on September 4.
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August 12, 2020

Citi Bike to launch joint bike share program in Hoboken and Jersey City

It may soon be easier to bike between two waterfront New Jersey cities. Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop announced on Wednesday plans to roll out a joint bike share program run by Citi Bike that will be compatible in both neighborhoods. Previously, the neighboring cities had agreements with two separate bike-share companies, which gave riders traveling between the areas nowhere to dock. Members of the program will be able to rent Citi Bikes in New York at no additional cost.
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August 6, 2020

New downtown Jersey City rental will have a ‘Miami-inspired resort’ on its rooftop

DVORA 175 is a new 148-unit rental building coming to Jersey City, and just like a lot of the luxury rentals springing up in the area, it has a rooftop pool, this one with a "Miami-inspired resort" vibe, according to a press lease. The 14-story building at 175 Second Street is located in what's known as the Powerhouse Arts District, a section of downtown full of old warehouse buildings. Though pricing has not yet been released, leasing will kick off next month with initial occupancy slated for October.
More on the development here
August 6, 2020

$5.9M penthouse is Asbury Park’s most expensive home ever sold

A penthouse in Asbury Park that was listed for $5.9 million just closed, becoming the most expensive home ever sold in the Jersey Shore town. Located at the 17-story Asbury Ocean Club, the duplex penthouse contains four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and boasts roughly 2,300 square feet of outdoor space, which comes in the form of a wrap-around terrace, sunroom, and outdoor kitchen.
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July 23, 2020

NJ yoga, pilates, and martial arts studios can reopen for indoor classes

Some fitness studios in New Jersey can resume indoor classes at limited capacity, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Wednesday. The governor clarified an executive order issued this week that allowed for outdoor control drills and practices to resume for "high-risk" organized sports, including football, cheerleading, wrestling, and others.
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July 22, 2020

No reopening plans for NJ’s American Dream mall as tenants flee and owner skips mortgage payments

After nearly two decades of construction delays, New Jersey's mega-mall American Dream partially opened last October. Six months later, the three-million-square-foot venue was forced to close its doors because of the coronavirus pandemic. Now, even as the state continues its gradual reopening, there is still no reopening date for the $5 billion mall. As NJ.com reported, owner Triple Five Group has missed three consecutive mortgage payments and retail tenants are getting out of their leases at the space.
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July 20, 2020

7 best hikes near New York City

Getting out of the city during the hot summer months has never felt so necessary, with the usual ways of staying cool by exploring an air-conditioned museum or taking a dip at a city pool. For those looking to reconnect with nature (while maintaining social distance), there are a number of escapes just outside of the city offering hikes and treks ranging in levels of difficulty. Some of these are easily accessible by Metro-North; some might require a car, and some happen to be in the city itself, provided you consider Staten Island within its borders. All of them feature great views, exercise, fresh air, and the occasional tree, how novel! Ahead, discover our favorites.
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July 8, 2020

New Jersey mandates that face masks be worn outside

Nearly three months after Governor Cuomo mandated face masks be worn in outdoor public spaces in New York, Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey has finally done the same. Murphy did mandate face masks be worn indoors back in April, but it wasn't until an appearance this morning on MSNBC's Morning Joe that he said he'll be signing an executive order today. "They’ve been strongly recommended out-of-doors. We’re gonna turn that up a notch today... If you can’t socially distance, it’s gonna be required." His announcement comes
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June 29, 2020

New Jersey delays indoor dining as COVID-19 cases spike in other states

Restaurants and bars in New Jersey will no longer be able to resume indoor service on Thursday as planned, Gov. Phil Murphy announced. The governor on Monday said the pause of this part of the state's reopening plan comes as coronavirus cases spike across the country and more photos and videos of maskless crowds at establishments have surfaced. "It brings me no joy to do this, but we have no choice," Murphy said during a press briefing.
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June 23, 2020

New Jersey will open indoor dining and outdoor amusement parks ahead of July 4th weekend

Yesterday, Governor Phil Murphy announced that New Jersey will allow indoor dining and casinos to begin operating at 25-percent capacity on July 2. Today, he said on Twitter that outdoor amusement parks, including rides on the boardwalk, and outdoor water parks, can open on this date with 50-percent capacity. Playgrounds can reopen with no limitations. The governor's decision comes after he allowed beaches to open ahead of Memorial Day Weekend and restaurants to open for outdoor dining on June 15, but some are concerned about taking the next step prior to the busy July 4 weekend.
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June 12, 2020

New Jersey sues Asbury Park for ignoring state order on indoor dining

Earlier this week, a beach town in New Jersey said it would allow indoor dining at some businesses next week, defying a recent executive order from Gov. Phil Murphy. The Asbury Park City Council on Wednesday approved a resolution to allow bars and restaurants to open their dining rooms at 25 percent capacity starting Monday. Earlier this month, Murphy signed an order that would allow for limited outdoor dining at restaurants starting June 15, but he said "we're not there yet," when it comes to indoor dining. In response, the governor announced today that the state would be suing Asbury to prevent this from happening.
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June 12, 2020

Jersey City moves forward with $40M renovation of historic Loew’s Theatre

The historic Loew's Wonder Theatre in Jersey City is finally set to receive the restoration it's waited years for. Built in 1929 by architect George Rapp in a gilded, Baroque-Rococo style, the Loew's Jersey was as a lavish entertainment destination for decades, until it was converted to a triplex movie theater in the '70s and almost faced the wrecking ball in the '80s. But through a grassroots preservation effort, the city bought the theater in 1987, allowing the nonprofit Friends of the Loew’s to begin restoration and operate as a nonprofit arts center. Though the group has made incredible progress, a significant amount of work remains. Now, the Wall Street Journal reports that Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop is searching for a commercial operator to help with the $40 million restoration and modernization effort of the 3,000-seat theater.
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June 10, 2020

With 8,000 units, Jersey City project will be the Tri-State’s largest mixed-income housing development

After receiving approval from the city, last week, developer BRP Companies revealed renderings for their Bayfront Redevelopment Project in Jersey City along the Hackensack River. Located on a former brownfield site, the 100-acre project will be built in phases, eventually resulting in 8,000 units of mixed-income housing (35 percent of which will be affordable), said to be the largest such project in the region. This fall, construction will kick off on the 16-acre first phase, known as Cove Pointe, which will bring 1,092 units of housing, with 382 set aside as affordable and workforce housing.
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June 2, 2020

New Jersey set to open hair salons, in-store retail, and outdoor dining this month

In his press conference yesterday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced that his state was looking to enter stage two of its reopening on Monday, June 15. On this date, outdoor dining and limited in-store retail would begin, with hair salons and barbershops following on the 22nd and youth summer programs in early July. This second stage would also phase in museums and libraries, as well as limited capacity at gyms and in-person government services such as motor vehicles.
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May 28, 2020

Hoboken will allow gyms to use parks and fields for outdoor workout classes

Hoboken, New Jersey Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla signed an executive order yesterday that permits fitness clubs to "utilize certain City fields and parks in order to facilitate safe, socially distanced outdoor workouts." Because of reopening measures outlined by Governor Murphy that will reduce capacity at indoor gyms and fitness facilities, Mayor Bhalla is encouraging owners of such businesses licensed in Hoboken to apply to host outdoor classes of up to 15 people with "strict social distancing guidelines of at least six feet between each participant at all times." With the permission of property owners, gyms can also hold outdoor classes in parking lots.
More details here
May 13, 2020

New Jersey will start reopening on Monday

In his press conference on Wednesday, Governor Phil Murphy announced that as of 6:00 am on Monday, May 18, New Jersey would begin its reopening process by allowing the restart of non-essential construction, non-essential retail stores to reopen for curbside pickup only, and drive-through and drive-in events to operate under social distancing guidelines. This is quite similar to what is allowed under New York's first phase of reopening, however, NJ's northern neighbor New York City is still not at that point. "The data we are seeing gives us confidence that we can begin the careful and responsible restart of our economy to get people back to work and to begin to set the stage for the steps to come," Murphy said.
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May 6, 2020

Iconic Asbury Park music venue The Stone Pony hosting live stream concerts

Since Bruce Springsteen got his start at the Jersey Shore music venue in the '70s (launching "the house that Springsteen built"), The Stone Pony has been a trailblazer in the music scene. Though the venue hosts big-name acts today, what's set the Pony apart over the years is its commitment to local artists and up-and-comers. And they're not letting coronavirus stop this. As reported by the Asbury Park Press, The Stone Pony is hosting "a curated live stream lineup of Jersey Shore musicians and national faves, all regulars at the venue."
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April 29, 2020

New Jersey will allow state parks and golf courses to reopen this weekend

As of this Saturday, May 2, at sunrise, all state parks across New Jersey will reopen. Golf courses and county parks will also be allowed to reopen with a social distancing mandate in effect. Governor Phil Murphy made the announcement today after he closed all state and county parks on April 7. The governor has also talked about the possibility of reopening beaches in time for Memorial Day Weekend.
More details ahead
April 28, 2020

Will New Jersey beaches really reopen by Memorial Day?

"I want to see the shore humming throughout the summer," said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy yesterday when discussing a reopening plan for his state. According to the New York Times, he said that this could come as soon as Memorial Day, considered the kick-off weekend to summer. But the suggestion has drawn mixed emotions, since yesterday New York Governor Andrew Cuomo alluded to the fact that the New York City area would not reopen when his state's current Pause order ends on May 15th. Cuomo has also been persistent in his message that reopenings must be coordinated within the tri-state region to avoid sending crowds from one state to another.
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April 20, 2020

Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Jon Stewart and more will perform on ‘Jersey 4 Jersey’ benefit

On Wednesday, April 22 at 7:00pm, the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund will host a star-studded benefit to support those in need in the severely impacted state. The event will include performances streamed from the homes of  New Jersey natives Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen and his wife Patti Scialfa, Halsey, SZA, and Charlie Puth, as well as Tony Bennett, who long had a studio in the state. Others who hail from the state will make special appearances including Whoopi Goldberg, Kelly Ripa, Chelsea Handler, Saquon Barkley, Jon Stewart, and Chris Rock.
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April 8, 2020

All of the beach, boardwalk, and park closures in NJ

As the number of coronavirus cases in New Jersey continues to climb, state and city officials are furthering social distancing measures by closing public spaces across the state. Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday signed an executive order shuttering all state parks and forests, as well as county parks. A number of Jersey Shore towns have closed beaches and boardwalks, with some even banning short-term rentals to curb visits from out-of-towners. "My focus and our focus, our sole mission right now is the health of every New Jersey family," Murphy said. "And we must not just flatten this curve, we must crush this curve." Ahead, find out which public spaces in NJ have been temporarily closed as a result of the pandemic.
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April 6, 2020

Jon Bon Jovi puts waterfront NJ mansion on the market for $20M

Fifteen acres, an 18,000-square-foot main house designed by Robert A.M. Stern, a dock and boat lift, a pool with two cedar cabanas, a personal pub, a recording studio--and that's just the beginning of what you'll find at Jon Bon Jovi's incredible Central Jersey mansion. First spotted by Mansion Global, the rocker's property on the Navesink River in Middletown has just hit the market for $20 million, and as Christie's listing agent Kathleen Coumou told MG, "He’s looking for the right buyer, someone who will appreciate what he’s done to the house."
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March 30, 2020

Jersey City rental next to Liberty State Park opens, units from $1,910/month

A new luxury rental building has opened in the bustling Bergen-Lafayette section of Jersey City, with apartments starting at $1,910/month. Located just steps from Liberty State Park, 295 Johnston Avenue, called 295J, contains 309 units, with a mix of studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. In addition to being next to the 1,212-acre waterfront park, the rental boasts an impressive landscaped courtyard with a pool, fire pits, barbecue grills, and ping pong tables.
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February 27, 2020

On the Jersey Shore, you can spend the night inside a 90-ton elephant

In the late 19th century, Atlantic City began its heydey as a booming resort town thanks to a new railroad connection. To attract prospective real estate investors and tourists, inventor James V. Lafferty received a patent to build a giant elephant statue in nearby Margate. Completed in 1881, Lucy the Elephant stood 65 feet tall (six stories) and weighed 90 tons. After a preservation battle in 1969, Lucy was restored in the '70s and has continued to be a spectacle for locals and vacationers alike. The 138-year-old attraction has even caught the attention of Airbnb, who announced that they'll be offering three overnight stays inside Lucy. The lucky Lucy fans will pay $138 (the same number as her age) for a stay on either March 17, 18, or 19.
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