The Pep Boys/Bruce Ratner development could be in trouble

How funny would that be? Hey it'd hopefully save Jersey City from writing Bruce Ratner and Forest City a check from OUR city bank account.

James Riffin is a man who knows how to file a lawsuit. He's filed quite a few. He's filed one that seems to have the Forest City folks up in a tizzy, calling a legal claim he's filed on their property as "sinister." Riffin has made the following argument:

In his lawsuit, filed on July 20, Riffin alleges that because the lines of rail that formerly traversed the Metro Plaza property were never abandoned by Conrail, the developers of the high-rise don't have rights to the property. He says because he told the STB last year that he intends to acquire the entirety of the abandoned rail line, he could end up owning the site and re-starting a rail line on it. He wants construction on the residential tower halted until that federal matter is resolved.

Sure be a shame if that project just died. Have you seen that first building going up Jersey City? It'll make your eyes bleed. While this lawsuit stands little chance of success, it is trying to protect your eyesight because the architects who drew up that hideous look must have come from the Greg Brady school of design.

Today is the day, now is the time

Contact your city councilperson and let them know that in no way do you expect them to approve a tax abatement AND bonds to Forest City and CEO Bruce Ratner, also an owner of the Brooklyn Nets. Johnny understands the economics here, he understand the PILOT payments and Abbott school funding, THIS is an extremely bad deal for Jersey City taxpayers.

Contact your city councilperson, tell them while certain tax breaks can be advantageous but this one is beyond the pale.