Eminent Domain Report; Bill Rodwell and the Legacy of 111 Arts, Jersey City, NJ
In this edition, we sit down with William Rodwell, ex-tenant assoc. pres. of the 111 First Street building in Jersey City, NJ. He was one of the original artists in that building and provides a very vivid account of the issues surrounding the death of the "The Powerhouse Art District." This district, once supported by nearly all the politicians of the Jersey City, became another victim of a developer with an objective that no longer included artists.
Even though this isn't a direct case of eminent domain, all the same factors are in play; false verbal and/or written agreements that stipulate an objective that seemingly was never intended to be honored and ambiguity from politicians that switch positions after alleged long-term support, which results in the loss of property and/or livelihood. Long-range strategic community "development must be done in the name of the people who live in the community in question. Communities shouldn't be at the mercy of developers who have no interest in the community beyond taking rent money from it.
This edition of The Eminent Domain Report is another chapter in the infamous "Drunk Cops in Jersey City video" investigation. We will follow this thread wherever it leads us...until we find answers.
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