The Municipal Council of the City of Bayonne finds and determines that Stephen R. Gregg Bayonne Hudson County Park ("the Park"), which survives as an intact example of any early twentieth century Renaissance-style garden, was dedicated in 1916 and reflects the national parks movement at the turn of the twentieth century to revitalize urban communities and provide recreational activities in cities. It is in the public interest to preserve the historic and aesthetic integrity of the Park for the citizens of Bayonne and the residents of Hudson County. (Ord. No. O-01-63)
The Municipal Council further finds and determines that the Park meets the criteria for historic designation for the following reasons:
a. It serves as an illustration of the development of the City as an industrial community at the turn of the twentieth century and the City's commitment to the quality of life of residents at the time of its greatest population and economic growth.
b. The war and civilian memorials and rededication of the park to World War II Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Stephen R. Gregg represent significant expressions of civic pride in the community.
c. The essential design elements of the Park District, together with a majority of its contributing structures and buildings within, were designed by notable landscape architect Charles N. Lowrie.
d. It represents the parks movement of the early twentieth century with the intent to beautify the City, combining the features of a graceful classical garden within an industrial community for both passive and active recreation.
e. It is a "unique location of singular physical characteristics that make a district...an established or familiar visual feature."*
(Ord. No. O-01-63)
Stephen R. Gregg Bayonne Hudson County Park, known as Block 74 Lot 1; Block 95, Lot 1; Block 100, Lot 1; and Block 103, Lot 1 on the Tax Map, is hereby designated a historic district in accordance with Municipal Land Use Law, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq., and Chapter 37, Historic Preservation, of the Revised General Ordinances of the City of Bayonne. (Ord. No. O-01-63)
It is not the intent or purpose of this designation to hamper or delay the proper maintenance of the Park as both an active and a passive recreation area for the residents of the City of Bayonne and County of Hudson; rather, the purpose and intent is to preserve intact limited key and contributing elements which together comprise its integrity as a historic site. To that end, the Historic Preservation Commission and enforcement officials of the City of Bayonne shall implement the following guidelines for the proper preservation of the Park.
a. Key Elements.
Key elements, which are found within the major focal point of the Park, create a sense of historic time and place. The focal point of the park's design encompasses the upper level of the Park from the entrance on Avenue C and includes the terrace level beyond the entrance, the driveway and walking paths leading to the triangular plaza, the descending staircase, and the path leading to the boathouse and boat basin. A major component of the classical design is the clear vista extending from the Avenue C entrance to the waterfront below. Key elements within the focal point are:
1. Lookout houses.
2. Restrooms (Boathouse).
3. Concrete staircase with balustrade.
4. Flagpole with painted concrete base.
5. Four Ponds Lagoon.
6. Bandstand (between 46th and 48th Street).
b. Contributing Elements.
Contributing elements, which are found at the upper level of the park but outside the focal point include:
1. Concrete entrance gate (Avenue C between 40th and 41st Street) and ornaments on top of gateposts.
2. Concrete bridge (West 39th Street) with vertical round arch bands, guardrail and balustrade.
3. Concrete bridge (lower, West 46th Street) with quatrefoil openings.
4. Concrete bridge (lower West 42nd Street) with quatrefoil opening and red brick ornamentation.
5. Concrete entrance gate (Kennedy Boulevard and West 37th Street) with simulated arbor details and urns on the gateposts.
6. Concrete entrance gate (Kennedy Boulevard and West 46th Street) with simulated arbor details and urns on the gateposts.
7. Concrete wall with park benches near entrance (Kennedy Boulevard between Dillon Drive and Devlin Drive).
8. Concrete balustrade/wall between Kennedy Boulevard and Avenue B between 40th and 41st Streets; marks terrace entrance beyond Avenue C.
9. Concrete wall (Kennedy Boulevard and 43rd Street) in front of Community Center/Park Office.
10. Statue of The Hiker (Kennedy Boulevard and West 39th Street).
11. Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument (GAR Memorial).
12. Two (2) iron drinking fountains.
13. "Double Hill"- Elevated area within the Park District traditionally used in winter by children for snow sledding.
c. Noncontributing Elements. Elements that were not present during the original design of the park, or that have been changed or renovated, or that were intended for active recreational purposes rather than historic or aesthetic value to the park are determined to be noncontributing. These elements, with the exception of the renovated children's playground, tennis courts and park benches, are on the lower level of the park facing Newark Bay and extend north and south of the path extension of the park's focal point.
1. Bulkhead with waterfront promenade to perimeter of park.
2. Sheltered fishing pier and restroom.
3. Tennis courts.
4. George R. Buttner Running Track.
5. Utility buildings.
6. Public restrooms.
7. Renovated children's playground.
9. Police substation.
10. Athletic fields - football, softball, soccer, bocce.
11. Walkways.
12. Driveways.
13. Park benches restored or renovated as required for public use.
(Ord. No. O-01-63)
In addition to the procedures set forth under the Municipal Land Use Law and the ordinances of the City of Bayonne and in recognition of the special relationship between the City of Bayonne and the County of Hudson, the Mayor, the Historic Preservation Commission and other City Officials are authorized and directed to seek the cooperation of the County of Hudson in preserving intact the key and contributing elements of the historic district. (Ord. No. O-01-63)
Nothing herein shall be construed to delay or prohibit the continuing ordinary maintenance deemed essential for usage of the Park in accordance with prevailing guidelines and considerations established for public safety. Noncontributing elements and active recreational areas in the upper and lower levels of the Park may be subject to desirable and allowable development options appropriate to the purpose and intent of the use of the Park, including the continued grading and paving of walkways and driveways and renovation of bulkhead and athletic fields. (Ord. No. O-01-63)
The Historic Preservation Commission is authorized to develop and implement such further guidelines, not inconsistent with this section, as it deems necessary for the preservation and restoration of Stephen R. Gregg Bayonne County Park. (Ord. No. O-01-63)
This designation shall be noted on the Zoning Map of the City of Bayonne. (Ord. No. O-01-63)
The Municipal Council of the City of Bayonne finds and determines the following:
a. The property is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Properties for its architectural significance.
b. The Hale-Whitney Mansion is a Second Empire, single-family residence built in 1869.
c. It is in the public interest to preserve the historic and architectural and aesthetic elements of the Hale-Whitney Mansion within the parameters of the Historic Preservation Ordinance of the City of Bayonne.
(Ord. No. O-02-22 § 1)
The Municipal Council further finds that the features key to the property's significance include, but are not limited, to the following:
a. Features key to the dwelling's architectural significance include:
1. The hallmark Mansard roof
2. Diamond-shaped slates covering the Mansard
3. Three (3) porches with decorative corbels and columns; particularly reflective of the period is the side porch or veranda
4. Side bay window extending to the ground
5. First floor front windows that extend to the floor of the porch
6. Hooded dormers in the Mansard roof (rounded)
7. Wood frame two (2) over two (2) double hung windows.
b. The cobblestone drive leading to the garage is a significant historic feature of the property reflective of the period.
c. The slate sidewalks are likewise key to the property and reflective of the period.
d. Existing landscape materials visible from the street include an apple tree, large lilac, peegee hydrangea and wisteria, with two (2) of the trees being over one hundred (100) years old.
e. The garage is not part of the original structure but was constructed at a later date and is not reflective of Second Empire architecture.
(Ord. No. O-02-22 § 1)
The Municipal Council further finds and determines that the Hale-Whitney Mansion meets the criteria for historic designation for the following reasons:
a. It is one of the few remaining houses of its period remaining in Bayonne and is an excellent and well-preserved example of the Second Empire style of architecture, popular in America from the 1860's to the 1890's.
b. The main dwelling house has not been architecturally altered; however, it is noted that the original siding was covered with a brick patterned asphalt siding in 1945 and a garage was subsequently constructed, which is not reflective of the Second Empire period.
(Ord. No. O-02-22 § 1)
The Hale-Whitney Mansion, located at 100 Broadway and known as Block 356, Lot 30, is hereby designated a historic landmark in accordance with Municipal Land Use Law, N.J.S. 40:55D-1 et seq., and Chapter 37, Historic Preservation, of the Revised General Ordinances of the City of Bayonne. (Ord. No. O-02-22 § 1)
This designation shall be noted on the Zoning Map of the City of Bayonne and filed with the City Tax Assessor. (Ord. No. O-02-22 § 1)
The Municipal Council of the City of Bayonne finds and determines the following:
a. In accordance with the opinion in the Lynn Drobbin Associates report of 1994, the Bayonne Trust Company building has been "Determined to be Eligible" for the State Register of Historic Places.
b. The Bayonne Trust Company building is a two-story, Vermont granite clad structure built in 1912.
c. At the time of its construction, the bank building was located at a commercial and transportation hub of the City known as Bergen Point, and was accessible to railroad commuters and pedestrian traffic.
d. Lansing C. Holden, Sr., who was president of the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, designed the beaux-arts building. Mr. Holden also designed a Bayonne Hospital building in 1910.
e. The Bayonne Trust Company, incorporated in 1902, was one of the earliest banking organizations in Bayonne.
f. It is in the public interest to preserve the historic architectural and aesthetic elements of the Bayonne Trust Company within the parameters of the Historic Preservation Ordinance of the City of Bayonne.
(Ord. No. O-02-22 § 2)
