This message from the City of Hoboken provides updates on three open space projects – the expansion of the Southwest Park, acquisition of the Union Dry Dock site for public purposes, and design of the Northwest Park. Two of the projects involve matters that will be considered at the upcoming Council meeting. Please note next week’s City Council meeting will take place on Monday, November 13th at 7:00pm.
Union Dry Dock
The City Council will consider an ordinance on second reading to authorize the use of eminent domain if necessary for the acquisition of the Union Dry Dock site. The City was just advised by NY Waterway that a subsidiary of NY Waterway had acquired Union Dry Dock for $11.5 million with the intention of using the property as a repair facility for its ferry fleet. NJ Transit advised the City today that it will be entering into an agreement with NY Waterway for the option to purchase the property. The authorization of eminent domain provides the City with the tools necessary to facilitate negotiations and does not mean that eminent domain will be implemented.
“Now more than ever, the City needs all the tools available to be in the strongest position to negotiate in the best interest of our residents,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer.
Southwest Park
The City of Hoboken is seeking to acquire Block 10, Lots 1-7 and 30-36 for the expansion of the Southwest Resiliency Park for open space and stormwater management. The City’s first appraisal determined a value of $3.975 million, which the City Council previously approved as an offer price to the property owner. A second appraisal determined a value of $5.3 million. An ordinance to accept the second appraisal and authorize a new offer amount was approved on first reading by the City Council and will be considered for second reading at Monday’s Council meeting.
“This appraisal will enable the City to move forward with acquiring the property to create a larger Southwest Park separate from the redevelopment process,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer.
Northwest Resiliency Park
Residents are invited to complete the online survey for the Northwest Resiliency Park at www.hobokennj.gov/nwparksurvey.
The project team will also host a public design charrette to work together with the community on design concepts for the park. The public charrette will be held on Thursday, November 30th, 2017 from 7pm to 9pm at the Wallace School Cafeteria, located at 1100 Willow Avenue.
Hoboken’s largest park will provide recreation and public space for our community. It will also be a fundamental part of Hoboken’s resiliency strategy by integrating green infrastructure and innovative stormwater management measures to mitigate flooding from rainfall events. In 2017, the City of Hoboken opened a temporary pop-up park at the site which will remain in place during the design process for the permanent park. The park is located between Adams Street, Madison Street, 12th Street, and 13th Street.
