News
Oldest Building in Warehouse District Suffers Wind Damage
JCLC Urges Swift Action to Repair Machine Shop
 Juan Ribon Machine Shop |
The Historic Warehouse District, already threatened due to the actions of developers and compliant city officials, suffered additional damage yesterday from the elements of nature.
The roof of Juan Ribon Machine Shop, the oldest building in the district, was damaged by Sunday's heavy winds. Built in 1868, the building is the only remaining remnant from the era of the foundries and machine shops owned by local entreprenuers, which were later displaced by larger buildings run by commercial titans such as the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, Butler Brothers, and Lorillard Tobacco Company. The building is also notable as it was owned by one of the few minority entrepeneurs in Jersey City.
The Conservancy strongly encourages Jersey City not to allow the loss of another industrial treasure and to ensure that the building is quickly repaired.