New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-31
JERSEY CITY PROJECTS
Building Boom in the GreenviIle
HeiuhtS Section.

Houses are being built in large numbers
in the Greenville Heights section Of Jersey
City and along the westerly slope Of the
ridge across the lowland toward the Hack
ensack River and Newark Bay. The rapid
development causes establishment even to
those who came in with the building boom,
as houses appear almost as rapidly az II a
company OF Aladdins, possessing wonderful
lamps had an army of slaves working.
This remarkable growth is especially no
ticeable i'm the Greenville district 1t
seemed five years ago as II this former
town, at the extreme southerly end of the
city. across the canal from Bayonne, was
at standstill and had reached the limit OF
expansion, and was destined to have truck
farms as an important industry. But the
farms have vanished, and mere plots Of a
few lots are kept by the farmers for breath
ing space about the old farmhouses.
Lots away from the cluster Of buildings
that composed the improved portion of the
settlement could be bought a decade ago for
500 that to-day command $1,000 or more.
Dwelling houses are filling these vacant
spots. either two-family or cosey homes
for single family. The majority are at
tractive frame structures OF the up-to-date
type Recently there has been a DISPOSE
ton to put up cement buildings.
The West Bergen and Johnstown sec
lions on the fats west of Bergen Heights
have experienced a spirited boom since
the opening OF the County Park between
them, with its broad sweep from the Boule-
ward to the Hackensack. Lots in the
vicinity Of the park are held at almost pro-
hibitive prices. And ten years ago 500
would have been considered big figure
for the choicest of these lots
In the former Hudson City district, north
of the Pennsylvania Railroad cut, which
separated 1t from the city Of Bergen before
they were consolidated with Jersey City,
building Is brisk on the west slope OF the
hill. Dwelling houses predominant Few
tenement houses are being erected The
improvements that are required to be put
in under the law make them no longer
profitable. They are not needed.
The lower and old section OF the city
has ceased to be attractive as a residential
part, owing to the encroachment OF fac
tories anu Similar lIuuSllItS' anu lli' oH''
stately and fashionable houses are going
to decay and are now divided into apart
ments and rented to poor families In the
current year Building Superintendent Saul
has issued 1928 permits for buildings, main
~ for one and two family houses The
aggregate cost of these new structures is
s, 297. $50 And this has been regarded as
an off year for building. The total ex-
pended for buildings last year in Jersey
City was S6932.j70, a decrease of $685., 3lf.
But there have been issued thus far this
year thirty-five more building permits than
were issued last year, and this success was
for homes, as this year is far ahead OF
1910 I'm the erection of dwelling houses.
This is sustained by the activity of the
building and loan associations during the
current year, for a large number of the
buildings were put up by shareholders on
money advanced by the associations.
To the opening Of the McAdoo tunnels
is attributed much of Jersey City's growth.
But the acreage Of unimproved land Is be
coming considerably smaller every year,
and within A few years Jersey City will
have reached the limit.