Even on my spring break, I find myself at school. Coach C let me know that there would be a meeting happening on April 17th from 7 pm to 8:30 pm and I needed to be there. This meeting was to cover construction in Ward B, more specifically on 20 Carbon Place. At the bottom of the article will be in depth pictures of the plan. Right now, let me give you the details.

 

The meeting started at 6 pm with no introduction. Councilwoman of Ward B, Mira Prinz-Arey, introduced the holders of tonight’s meeting. Developer, Shergoh Alkilani and architect, Ciaran Kelly dived straight into details of this project.

This was a follow-up to a meeting from a few months ago. From what Shergoh was explaining, meetings like these are more for understanding the projects and the intentions of a new apartment complex opening up in the area and also for the speakers to gain feedback from the community on their concerns and what they can do to improve the project. While I wasn’t there for the first meeting, I felt all caught up with just this one. This housing project is catered towards the community.

20 Carbon Place is set to have the following –

Exterior

• 14 stories for the east building
• 15 stories for the west building
• 8,500 square ft of interior community space [community event rooms]
• 341 parking spaces
• A Pool

Interior

• Gym for residents
• Lounge area

Housing

• 71 x 2 bedrooms
• 289 x 1 bedrooms
• 140 studios
• 6,000 retail square ft

Keep in mind this is a housing project that has barely begun yet. These meetings are to help with planning. While there were questions about affordable housing, they couldn’t be answered because the project is that new. As far as affordable housing goes and the prices of living there, that is something that is outside of the developer’s hands and in the city’s. In figuring out things like that, there is a lengthy process to give you an exact number.

Shergoh did take notes of suggestions. This meeting was more interactive and less of a presentation-style meeting. Most of it was Shergoh and Ciaran answering questions and taking note of what would be good for affordable housing and how much would be good for a 3-bed 2-bath unit. Meetings like these are more effective. The community isn’t shy about saying what they need, but we don’t get a chance to say it to the right people. When we do, it’s too late. I really appreciate the Mira and Councilwoman Denise Ridley for organizing this meeting and making sure the community gets their questions answered.

While this project will be in Ward B, the project is almost boarding Ward A. This project may be of concern for some residents in that ward. Ward A is going through their own construction with NJCU. You can read more about that here, but it is in no way connected to the 20 Carbon Place project.

Like I said before, this is a project that hasn’t started yet so it will be a few years before seeing this place come to fruition. If there are more meetings in planning 20 Carbon Place, you’ll find them on youthinjc Instagram or Denise Ridley’s Instagram .

If you have any questions, you can email Denise or Mira.