Photo by Neidy Gutierrez / SOC Images.
A local cafe is giving back to the community with a backpack drive, Hudson County Complete Streets is advocating for better light rail services and more in this week’s Hudson County news roundup.
This Union City Coffee Shop Is Having A Backpack Drive!
Roast & C.R.E.A.M., located at 1620 Bergenline Avenue, in Union City has launched their first Annual Backpacks to the Future Community Backpack Drive.
They’re looking to provide 150 local students with a backpack filled with essential school supplies like notebooks, crayons, pencils and more.
“Every donation, big or small, brings us one step closer to our goal and reminds a child that their community believes in them,” read the cafe’s Instagram post.
To help the school drive, you can:
- Sponsor a backpack for $40 via Venmo (@roastandcream)
- Shop the Roast & C.R.E.A.M. Amazon Registry (click here for access)
- Donate brand-new school supplies
- Local businesses can sponsor students or become collection locations
The Jersey City Free Public Library Has ‘Temporarily’ Closed This Major Branch
The Jersey City Free Public Library (JCFPL) is “temporarily closing” the Five Corners Branch due to failure of the building’s original heating, cooling and ventilation systems, which can no longer be repaired or maintained through temporary solutions, according to an Instagram post.
The JCFPL said it has invested in short-term measures over the years to keep the branch open, but those efforts are “no longer sufficient and financially sustainable” as major interior improvements and extensive environmental remediation would be needed in order to do lasting repairs.
The library will have one of their Bookmobiles outside of the Five Corners library to provide access to library services during this time as they identify another temporary location. Nearby branch locations—Marion and the Heights—will be open with in-person library services.
“Our immediate priority is maintaining access to library services for the Five Corners community,” read a letter posted by the JCFPL. “One of JCFPL’s two Bookmobiles will be stationed outside the branch to assist patrons while we actively work to identify an additional temporary location that can accommodate expanded library services.
“These measures are intended to support the community during this transition, but they are not a replacement for a fully functioning neighborhood library.”
In the letter, the JCFPL stated they are actively exploring options for a new permanent home for the Five Corners Branch.
For more updates, you can follow the JCFPL on Instagram or go to their website.
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A Long Time 99 Cent Store Is Set To Be Replaced By A Mixed Use Development
A 99 cent store in downtown Jersey City is set to be demolished and replaced by a mixed-use development building.
The discount store located on Newark Avenue has been a longtime go-to store in the community for household items.
The development project is yet another construction project affecting the Jersey City landscape. An exact timeline for the project has not been disclosed.
Better Light Rail Campaign Aims To Extend The Hudson Bergen Light Rail
Hudson County Complete Streets has started the Better Light Rail campaign looking to improve and extend the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail services (HBLR).
The Hudson Bergen Light Rail carries more than 55,000 riders a week and currently runs through North Bergen, Weehawken, Union City, Hoboken, Jersey City and Bayonne.
The campaign is looking to create:
- A Northern Branch extension to run about nine miles north to Englewood with seven new stations
- A Bayfront (Route 440) extension with a 0.7-mile viaduct west of Route 440 to a new Bayfront terminal, with upgrades to West Side Avenue Station with provisions to allow for an extension to Newark Penn Station via Kearny
The campaign also calls for the HBLR to run every 10 minutes during off peak hours and fix accessibility ramps, signage and time clocks at all NJ TRANSIT Light Rail stations.
Advocates, including local politicians, have been canvassing the area for petition signatures. The next canvassing will take place on Wednesday, July 29 at 8 a.m. at Exchange Place Light Rail Station.
To learn more, you can check out the Hudson County Complete Streets website.
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at [email protected]!
