Eric Allen Conner
@eaconner.bsky.social
Better Blocks New Jersey | Father to one eggshell plaintiff and one tortfeasor | M&A Lawyer
Interested mostly in posting about Jersey City, transit-oriented development, urban fiscal policy, and Star Trek.
Interested mostly in posting about Jersey City, transit-oriented development, urban fiscal policy, and Star Trek.
Pinned
Eric Allen Conner
@eaconner.bsky.social
· May 21
@3underscores.bsky.social and I are launching
@betterblocksnj.bsky.social — a new political advocacy group focused on working with elected leaders and candidates starting in Jersey City to:
🏘️ Build more housing
🚆 Improve mass transit
🚸 Make our streets safer
🌳 Protect our public parks
1/
@betterblocksnj.bsky.social — a new political advocacy group focused on working with elected leaders and candidates starting in Jersey City to:
🏘️ Build more housing
🚆 Improve mass transit
🚸 Make our streets safer
🌳 Protect our public parks
1/
Reposted by Eric Allen Conner
January 9, 2026 at 7:12 PM
I don’t think any local YIMBYs were rallying to support Jim McGreevey who ran a strange nativist campaign.
A lot of pro-housing people ended up supporting Bill O’Dea in the general election. He unfortunately placed third, a few points behind McGreevey.
A lot of pro-housing people ended up supporting Bill O’Dea in the general election. He unfortunately placed third, a few points behind McGreevey.
December 23, 2025 at 1:23 PM
I don’t think any local YIMBYs were rallying to support Jim McGreevey who ran a strange nativist campaign.
A lot of pro-housing people ended up supporting Bill O’Dea in the general election. He unfortunately placed third, a few points behind McGreevey.
A lot of pro-housing people ended up supporting Bill O’Dea in the general election. He unfortunately placed third, a few points behind McGreevey.
Reposted by Eric Allen Conner
The bill on Hochul's desk mandating 2PTO on the MTA, Assembly Bill A4873, still hasn't been vetoed. If it's not by the end of the day it will automatically be law and worsen service on small shuttle trains and off-peak services as a result
Call her office at (518) 474-8390 and demand she veto this
Call her office at (518) 474-8390 and demand she veto this
December 18, 2025 at 7:53 PM
The bill on Hochul's desk mandating 2PTO on the MTA, Assembly Bill A4873, still hasn't been vetoed. If it's not by the end of the day it will automatically be law and worsen service on small shuttle trains and off-peak services as a result
Call her office at (518) 474-8390 and demand she veto this
Call her office at (518) 474-8390 and demand she veto this
This is a big reason I support projects like the Albion Hotel right on the pedestrian plaza in Jersey City.
It’s a good way to expand our tax base, support local businesses, and take advantage of New York’s failures.
Instead we’re letting an old bank building rot away because of NIMBY opposition.
It’s a good way to expand our tax base, support local businesses, and take advantage of New York’s failures.
Instead we’re letting an old bank building rot away because of NIMBY opposition.
December 18, 2025 at 4:16 PM
This is a big reason I support projects like the Albion Hotel right on the pedestrian plaza in Jersey City.
It’s a good way to expand our tax base, support local businesses, and take advantage of New York’s failures.
Instead we’re letting an old bank building rot away because of NIMBY opposition.
It’s a good way to expand our tax base, support local businesses, and take advantage of New York’s failures.
Instead we’re letting an old bank building rot away because of NIMBY opposition.
Reposted by Eric Allen Conner
Want more affordability? Build more housing!
Housing markets are complex. There are many confounding factors at play beyond simple supply and demand, but the research is clear. More supply is needed to make housing more affordable in the midst of our regional housing shortage.
1/4
Housing markets are complex. There are many confounding factors at play beyond simple supply and demand, but the research is clear. More supply is needed to make housing more affordable in the midst of our regional housing shortage.
1/4
Want Lower Rent? Build More Housing
All of us in Jersey City share a desire for housing policy that creates broader affordability, increased urban vitality, better economic opportunities for residents, and setting the city…
https://betterblocksnj.org/2025/12/15/want-lower-rent-build-more-housing/
All of us in Jersey City share a desire for housing policy that creates broader affordability, increased urban vitality, better economic opportunities for residents, and setting the city…
https://betterblocksnj.org/2025/12/15/want-lower-rent-build-more-housing/
December 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Want more affordability? Build more housing!
Housing markets are complex. There are many confounding factors at play beyond simple supply and demand, but the research is clear. More supply is needed to make housing more affordable in the midst of our regional housing shortage.
1/4
Housing markets are complex. There are many confounding factors at play beyond simple supply and demand, but the research is clear. More supply is needed to make housing more affordable in the midst of our regional housing shortage.
1/4
I don't own an e-bike.
I have never even ridden an e-bike.
But, good Lord, I feel much safer around e-bikes than I do the average car or truck driver here in Jersey City.
I have never even ridden an e-bike.
But, good Lord, I feel much safer around e-bikes than I do the average car or truck driver here in Jersey City.
Legislators in Trenton should vote against the e-bike bill because it:
1) is a de facto ban on Citibike and other popular bike share programs in NJ;
2) puts the livelihoods of many restaurants at risk; and
3) makes low-cost transportation unaffordable and inaccessible.
1) is a de facto ban on Citibike and other popular bike share programs in NJ;
2) puts the livelihoods of many restaurants at risk; and
3) makes low-cost transportation unaffordable and inaccessible.
Speed Kills: Restricting low-speed e-bikes will lead to more dangerous streets
The New Jersey Legislature is currently considering the most restrictive low-speed e-bike laws in the…
https://betterblocksnj.org/2025/12/14/speed-kills-restricting-low-speed-e-bikes-will-lead-to-more-dangerous-streets/
The New Jersey Legislature is currently considering the most restrictive low-speed e-bike laws in the…
https://betterblocksnj.org/2025/12/14/speed-kills-restricting-low-speed-e-bikes-will-lead-to-more-dangerous-streets/
December 15, 2025 at 12:00 AM
I don't own an e-bike.
I have never even ridden an e-bike.
But, good Lord, I feel much safer around e-bikes than I do the average car or truck driver here in Jersey City.
I have never even ridden an e-bike.
But, good Lord, I feel much safer around e-bikes than I do the average car or truck driver here in Jersey City.
Reposted by Eric Allen Conner
Legislators in Trenton should vote against the e-bike bill because it:
1) is a de facto ban on Citibike and other popular bike share programs in NJ;
2) puts the livelihoods of many restaurants at risk; and
3) makes low-cost transportation unaffordable and inaccessible.
1) is a de facto ban on Citibike and other popular bike share programs in NJ;
2) puts the livelihoods of many restaurants at risk; and
3) makes low-cost transportation unaffordable and inaccessible.
Speed Kills: Restricting low-speed e-bikes will lead to more dangerous streets
The New Jersey Legislature is currently considering the most restrictive low-speed e-bike laws in the…
https://betterblocksnj.org/2025/12/14/speed-kills-restricting-low-speed-e-bikes-will-lead-to-more-dangerous-streets/
The New Jersey Legislature is currently considering the most restrictive low-speed e-bike laws in the…
https://betterblocksnj.org/2025/12/14/speed-kills-restricting-low-speed-e-bikes-will-lead-to-more-dangerous-streets/
December 14, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Legislators in Trenton should vote against the e-bike bill because it:
1) is a de facto ban on Citibike and other popular bike share programs in NJ;
2) puts the livelihoods of many restaurants at risk; and
3) makes low-cost transportation unaffordable and inaccessible.
1) is a de facto ban on Citibike and other popular bike share programs in NJ;
2) puts the livelihoods of many restaurants at risk; and
3) makes low-cost transportation unaffordable and inaccessible.
Reposted by Eric Allen Conner
Interesting to illustrate the math of how you get to 20% affordable units in Newark. 30-year PILOT by Newark AND $90m in ASPIRE tax credits. www.roi-nj.com/2025/12/10/r...
Walker & Dunlop arranges $230M+ financing package for 22 Fulton in Newark | ROI-NJ
Walker & Dunlop, Inc. announced that it arranged a comprehensive financing package for the development of 22 Fulton Street.
www.roi-nj.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Interesting to illustrate the math of how you get to 20% affordable units in Newark. 30-year PILOT by Newark AND $90m in ASPIRE tax credits. www.roi-nj.com/2025/12/10/r...
@3underscores.bsky.social — are these just buzzer beater deals at this point?
December 11, 2025 at 4:35 AM
@3underscores.bsky.social — are these just buzzer beater deals at this point?
Reposted by Eric Allen Conner
My very first week working for Jersey City in June 2023, this project was thrown to me by my boss as a bit of a baptism by fire. Exciting to see it ready to break ground.
360 homes (including 90 affordable)
a pedestrian gateway to the PATH
0 parking spots
jerseydigs.com/homestead-ga...
360 homes (including 90 affordable)
a pedestrian gateway to the PATH
0 parking spots
jerseydigs.com/homestead-ga...
$200 Million Financing Secured for 34-Story Homestead Gateway Tower in Jersey City’s Journal Square | Jersey Digs
A $200 million structured capitalization commitment has been secured for the Jersey City tower, which will include 360 residences, 90 affordable units, and ground floor retail along an expanded pedest...
jerseydigs.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
My very first week working for Jersey City in June 2023, this project was thrown to me by my boss as a bit of a baptism by fire. Exciting to see it ready to break ground.
360 homes (including 90 affordable)
a pedestrian gateway to the PATH
0 parking spots
jerseydigs.com/homestead-ga...
360 homes (including 90 affordable)
a pedestrian gateway to the PATH
0 parking spots
jerseydigs.com/homestead-ga...
Reposted by Eric Allen Conner
In advance of tomorrow’s run-off election in Jersey City, @upzonenj.bsky.social provided an analytical look at the results of last month’s general election.
betterblocksnj.org/2025/12/01/a...
betterblocksnj.org/2025/12/01/a...
Jersey City Mayoral Election: James Solomon's Surprising Lead
Discover the surprising election dynamics in Jersey City as James Solomon leads in the mayoral race. Explore voting trends and district data.
betterblocksnj.org
December 1, 2025 at 2:37 PM
In advance of tomorrow’s run-off election in Jersey City, @upzonenj.bsky.social provided an analytical look at the results of last month’s general election.
betterblocksnj.org/2025/12/01/a...
betterblocksnj.org/2025/12/01/a...
Reposted by Eric Allen Conner
This is astounding given the number of ambulances I saw on the road last night. Passing a law to ensure more people die.
New Jersey state legislators want to ban Waymo for at least 5 years. www.nj.com/news/2025/11...
New legislation threatens to hit the brakes on bringing driverless cars to N.J.
Disability advocates are pushing back against a New Jersey bill that would delay driverless cars in the state for five years, even as 25 other states already allow them.
www.nj.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:15 PM
This is astounding given the number of ambulances I saw on the road last night. Passing a law to ensure more people die.
The key is to be honest with the electorate about the costs and not promising that someone else will pay for affordable housing.
Funded inclusionary zoning is good!
Good news: New data suggest that Portland's inclusionary zoning program is finally working as intended, after being fully funded in 2024 www.sightline.org/2025/11/25/p...
November 25, 2025 at 7:49 PM
The key is to be honest with the electorate about the costs and not promising that someone else will pay for affordable housing.
Isn’t Cuomo the one who said he himself was “Italian” to justify his predatory behavior?
So here's Andrew Cuomo reacting to Maria Bartiromo wondering if Mamdani will "change the look of New York" and have Muslim women "completely covered up," telling her that Mamdani "doesn't understand New York culture" because he has "dual citizenship" and "he's a citizen of Uganda."
October 29, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Isn’t Cuomo the one who said he himself was “Italian” to justify his predatory behavior?
Reposted by Eric Allen Conner
Read our Voter Guide to the Hoboken Mayoral election.
Our choice for a December runoff would be Ruben Ramos who has the best housing policy in the race and Emily Jabbour who is strongest on Vision Zero, transit alternatives, and street redesigns.
Our choice for a December runoff would be Ruben Ramos who has the best housing policy in the race and Emily Jabbour who is strongest on Vision Zero, transit alternatives, and street redesigns.
The Hoboken Mayoral Candidates Voter Guide
November 4, 2025 is election day. Hoboken voters will go to the polls to elect a new governor, mayor, at-large city council candidates, and members of the board of education. This voter guide focuses only on the candidates running for mayor. If no…
November 4, 2025 is election day. Hoboken voters will go to the polls to elect a new governor, mayor, at-large city council candidates, and members of the board of education. This voter guide focuses only on the candidates running for mayor. If no…
The Hoboken Mayoral Candidates Voter Guide
November 4, 2025 is election day. Hoboken voters will go to the polls to elect a new governor, mayor, at-large city council candidates, and members of the board of education. This voter guide focuses only on the candidates running for mayor. If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote on November 4, then a run-off election will be held in December.
betterblocksnj.org
October 29, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Read our Voter Guide to the Hoboken Mayoral election.
Our choice for a December runoff would be Ruben Ramos who has the best housing policy in the race and Emily Jabbour who is strongest on Vision Zero, transit alternatives, and street redesigns.
Our choice for a December runoff would be Ruben Ramos who has the best housing policy in the race and Emily Jabbour who is strongest on Vision Zero, transit alternatives, and street redesigns.
Reposted by Eric Allen Conner
We did the math on Solomon’s affordable housing plan so you don’t have to.
Unfortunately, it provides very little affordability or housing for homeowners and renters alike and could raise property 22% by forcing the city to subsidize all new development.
Unfortunately, it provides very little affordability or housing for homeowners and renters alike and could raise property 22% by forcing the city to subsidize all new development.
October 28, 2025 at 1:39 AM
We did the math on Solomon’s affordable housing plan so you don’t have to.
Unfortunately, it provides very little affordability or housing for homeowners and renters alike and could raise property 22% by forcing the city to subsidize all new development.
Unfortunately, it provides very little affordability or housing for homeowners and renters alike and could raise property 22% by forcing the city to subsidize all new development.
Reposted by Eric Allen Conner
Better Blocks NJ endorses Bill O'Dea for mayor of Jersey City.
https://betterblocksnj.org/2025/10/16/the-jersey-city-mayoral-voter-guide/
https://betterblocksnj.org/2025/10/16/the-jersey-city-mayoral-voter-guide/
October 16, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Better Blocks NJ endorses Bill O'Dea for mayor of Jersey City.
https://betterblocksnj.org/2025/10/16/the-jersey-city-mayoral-voter-guide/
https://betterblocksnj.org/2025/10/16/the-jersey-city-mayoral-voter-guide/
Reposted by Eric Allen Conner
While we work on our voter guide and potential endorsements, we want to hear what voters thought of the candidates' answers to the Better Blocks questionnaire.
Let us know who your choice for mayor and council would be in this quick survey.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Let us know who your choice for mayor and council would be in this quick survey.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Who's the Best Candidate on the Block?
We want to hear from voters who rely on Better Blocks to learn about policy and inform their decisions on election day in Jersey City.
Based on the candidate responses given to the Better Blocks can...
docs.google.com
October 11, 2025 at 10:10 PM
While we work on our voter guide and potential endorsements, we want to hear what voters thought of the candidates' answers to the Better Blocks questionnaire.
Let us know who your choice for mayor and council would be in this quick survey.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Let us know who your choice for mayor and council would be in this quick survey.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
How long until the regime starts throwing people out of helicopters into the Atlantic?
September 18, 2025 at 7:05 AM
How long until the regime starts throwing people out of helicopters into the Atlantic?
Reposted by Eric Allen Conner
We sent our mayoral and council survey to the candidates running for office in Jersey City.
Questions focus on housing, transit, street safety, and public parks. Candidate answers will inform any endorsements we make.
Take the survey and think about how you would respond!
Questions focus on housing, transit, street safety, and public parks. Candidate answers will inform any endorsements we make.
Take the survey and think about how you would respond!
Candidate Surveys for Jersey City Mayoral and City Council Elections
Better Blocks New Jersey sent this candidate questionnaire to all the candidates running for mayor and city council. We…
https://betterblocksnj.org/2025/09/17/candidate-surveys-for-jersey-city-mayoral-and-city-council-elections/
Better Blocks New Jersey sent this candidate questionnaire to all the candidates running for mayor and city council. We…
https://betterblocksnj.org/2025/09/17/candidate-surveys-for-jersey-city-mayoral-and-city-council-elections/
September 17, 2025 at 2:40 PM
We sent our mayoral and council survey to the candidates running for office in Jersey City.
Questions focus on housing, transit, street safety, and public parks. Candidate answers will inform any endorsements we make.
Take the survey and think about how you would respond!
Questions focus on housing, transit, street safety, and public parks. Candidate answers will inform any endorsements we make.
Take the survey and think about how you would respond!
Cities should make rent rolls more readily available so economists and data scientists can easily replicate studies on the effect of new supply on the change in rent increases.
September 17, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Cities should make rent rolls more readily available so economists and data scientists can easily replicate studies on the effect of new supply on the change in rent increases.
Reposted by Eric Allen Conner
I’m going to be going back to the tape of that Zoning Board meeting because there were some spicy moments. I never thought a debate over the definition of Accessory could be so riveting.
September 12, 2025 at 3:53 AM
I’m going to be going back to the tape of that Zoning Board meeting because there were some spicy moments. I never thought a debate over the definition of Accessory could be so riveting.
Reposted by Eric Allen Conner
We should be building this stuff in NJ. Traffic is awful, trains are overcapacity and poor air quality is making us sick. @mikiesherrill.bsky.social we’re just wasting lots and lots of money demolishing an expressway and rebuilding it just to add a lane - which will just make traffic worse!
September 12, 2025 at 2:06 PM
We should be building this stuff in NJ. Traffic is awful, trains are overcapacity and poor air quality is making us sick. @mikiesherrill.bsky.social we’re just wasting lots and lots of money demolishing an expressway and rebuilding it just to add a lane - which will just make traffic worse!
This is great information.
Thanks!
Thanks!
September 12, 2025 at 2:54 AM
This is great information.
Thanks!
Thanks!
A benefit in and of itself.
I’m trying to assemble information for future posts and to send to the council.
I’m trying to assemble information for future posts and to send to the council.
September 12, 2025 at 2:53 AM
A benefit in and of itself.
I’m trying to assemble information for future posts and to send to the council.
I’m trying to assemble information for future posts and to send to the council.