December 2016

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has several development projects in the pipeline. In addition, Midtown Manhattan will see construction begin on a super tall 90-story condominium. These new “super buildings” are designed as self-contained neighbor- hoods. Planners are incorporating gro- cery stores, hair salons, doctor’s offices, day-care facilities, pet grooming and boarding, gyms, restaurants and movie

theaters into the footprint of the building. The idea that one can walk to every needed store and jump on public trans- portation for work, has become very attractive to many in the housing market. Some projects have taken forward thinking steps of incorporating electrical energy generation and water recla- mation facilities. Even outside of the cities, new neighborhoods are being designed to contain all of these features within walking distance of each home. But not everyone feels that this “smart growth” or these “super condos” are a benefit. In each of these areas, local and long-time residents have voiced opposition to the proposed project. In Bayonne, a group of residents banded together and took action seeking for the recall of the city’s mayor. Opposition can be based on feelings that the new developments erase history, lead to gentrification, destroy the neighbor’s spirit and numerous other objective or subjective concerns. In addition, these super buildings change or block the ever important view of the neighboring buildings. As these super buildings and self-con- tained neighborhoods multiply, young families find that their living choices have become limited. Many parents can not even find a home in a tradi- tional neighbor which mirrors the one in which they grew up. These parents have come to the realization that the neighborhoods of yesterday have been replaced. We now find more families living within a block, yet never getting the chance to really know their neigh- bors that may live above or below them. One can only wonder what memories of their neighbors the children of tomorrow’s generation will have. n

buildings. Old factory buildings have been renovated for residential use. Vacant lots have been combined and built upon to form high-end condo- miniums which tower over nearby buildings. But these shifts are only the beginning. The City of Bayonne

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