Mike and I have been working up a master plan which would enable us to purchase that monstrosity and convert it into the bitchin'est living quarters/den of sin Jersey City has ever seen! I have visions of indoor basketball court/Wiffle Ball stadium, rooftop pool/sun deck/garden and maybe a slide out my window, down to the ground as to cut down on my commute time. The exterior brick walls are 28" thick, which sound like it should be well insulated from the cold or winter and the hot of summer and may withstand the explosions of suicide bombers too. There is ample parking for those who like to drive and it is convenient to public transport too. It's gonna be awesome!
I was just doing some research on the matter and found that our desired old powerhouse, built way back in 1906 is on the National Register of Historic Places. Our plan gets cooler by the second. There is even a web site devoted to the ol' beast here. I like these pluses:
- The Powerhouse is in a State Urban Enterprise Zone and qualifies for grants, low interest loans, reduced sales taxes and other benefits.
- Because the building is eligible for historic designation, historic tax credits equal to 20% of redevelopment costs would be available.
- New Jersey's new adaptive re-use building codes save 10% - 30% on renovation.
Now, I am guessing, despite all these fine money-saving points this may still be a bit out of our price range, so I am willing to accept donations of materials, gear, money, labor, legal assistance, suggestions, etc. In exchange you can consider yourself always welcome for some swimming, Wiffle Ball or sliding down my window slide AND when the place is properly sectioned off into individual apartments you can have one at a reduced rate.
I can't wait.
3 comments:
i have a 24 foot aluminum extension ladder you can borrow.
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aw! those pictures really bring back JC memories.
i think your window slide should extend not into your swimming pool, but all the way to the office. it could go right over the tram-car thingy & you could slide over it like "see ya suckers!" & then plop into your chair.
I've been having visions of turning that thing into a eco-friendly organic co-op. I want to make the top floors into organic gardens, and the rest of it would be turned into a school devoted to teaching more people about the environment and all that fun stuff. It would be so great, and bring a sense of community to the j.c.
but then again of course there is also the den of sin idea...
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