The Jersey City Municipal Council heard multiple speakers in strong support of ordinances tied to a settlement over the Harseim's (Sixth Street) Embankment, with advocates calling the package a rare opportunity to secure an elevated urban forest and trail through downtown.

Why it matters: The proposed settlement and associated ordinances aim to resolve long-running litigation, transfer embankment parcels to public ownership, and preserve more than five acres of open space in a built-up section of the city. Backers said the project will deliver environmental, historic-preservation and resiliency benefits and provide a new publicly accessible greenway.

What supporters said
Speakers from community groups and neighborhood associations — including the Embankment Preservation Coalition, Friends of Liberty State Park and the Journal Square Community Association — urged council approval of three ordinances and urged the city to require stronger enforcement mechanisms to ensure promised public benefits are delivered on schedule.

Concerns and conditions
Several public speakers and at least one resident urged the council to build enforcement into the settlement: suggestions included mortgage liens or other security interests on parcels so the city could enforce completion if developers failed to deliver agreed blocks and park elements on time.

Legislative timing
Council members announced the ordinances related to the embankment settlement will be considered at a later meeting. A number of speakers asked the council to adopt the measures at the November hearing, noting extensive public engagement over 25-plus years.

Ending: Supporters urged unanimous approval when the ordinances return to the council, saying the transfer would protect the embankment’s mature urban canopy, restore a public right-of-way and create a connected trail with regional benefits.