Dear Neighbors,
Here are your latest community updates.
Another Flood Protection Milestone for Northwest Hoboken
The City celebrated yet another major milestone in our long-term resiliency efforts — the installation of five new stormwater pumps at ResilienCity Park. This critical project, completed in partnership with the City of Hoboken and North Hudson Sewerage Authority (NHSA), and Congressman Rob Menendez significantly expands our ability to manage stormwater and protect our community during heavy rain events.
The pumps, part of NHSA’s long-term sewer infrastructure plan, can move up to 30 million gallons of water per day, reducing the risks of street and basement flooding across Northwest Hoboken. They work in tandem with the 1-million-gallon underground storage tank beneath ResilienCity Park, a major component of Hoboken’s comprehensive flood mitigation strategy.
The City’s major planning and investments in flood resiliency infrastructure, supported by $58 million in federal infrastructure funding is transforming Northwest Hoboken and the 5th Ward. Alongside green infrastructure and additional sewer upgrades underway on Adams Street and Madison Street, we are comprehensively addressing climate change and flood resiliency in a manner that is a national model.
 Our long-term investments in resiliency parks, flood pumps, rain gardens, porous pavement, green roofs, and countless other flood mitigation measures are working! Over the past decade, Hoboken has seen over an 85% reduction in flooding events. These amazing results are a credit to former Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Mayor Bhalla’s unwavering focus on sustainability and long-term resiliency for our community.
🚁 Standing up to Nonessential Helicopters 🚁
Then this week, along with a number of community members who shared their personal stories about the daily, awful impacts of nonessential helicopter traffic over their homes, I went to Trenton and testified before the Senate Transportation Committee in strong support of Senate Bill S-275, which will significantly reduce (though not eliminate) nonessential helicopter traffic that disrupts our communities and threatens public safety.
Testifying before the Senate Transportation Committee
Thanks to Senators Raj Mukherji and Brian Stack for sponsoring this legislation. The bill was voted out of committee with bipartisan support — a major step forward for a bill the helicopter industry has fought for years. We will look forward to seeing this legislation passed by our NJ legislators and signed into law by Governor Murphy.
Hoboken’s FY2025 Budget Workshops
As Chair of the Administration and Finance Subcommittee, I am pleased to invite you to participate in two virtual budget workshops to provide residents with an opportunity to learn about the proposed FY2025 Municipal Budget introduced earlier this month. The proposed budget prioritizes infrastructure improvements, climate resiliency, open space enhancements, and quality of life improvements, while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Each Department Director will present their budget to the City Council and the public, and answer questions.
Budget Workshop Schedule (via Zoom):
Thursday, May 22 (6 to 9 pm)
- Administration and Finance
- City Clerk
- Corporation Counsel
- Department of Parks, Recreation, & Public Works
- Department of Transportation & Parking
Tuesday, May 27 (6 to 9 pm)
- Department of Community Development
- Department of Climate Action & Innovation
- Water Utility
Department of Public Safety
You can join these public budget workshops here.
Building A New Future for Hoboken’s Former YMCA
Hoboken took a significant step toward reviving a long-abandoned community recreational space, as the City Council unanimously approved a partnership with the Hoboken Community Center (HCC) to redevelop the former YMCA, at Washington and 13th Streets, into a modern, 21st-century community recreation center.
This historic building opened in 1927 and served generations of Hoboken residents before closing in 2010. In collaboration with Mayor Bhalla, my Council colleagues, and HCC leadership, we’re moving to revitalize this 37,500-square-foot space, which includes an indoor pool and basketball court, into a hub of activity, wellness, and connection for our community. The design of the center will be shaped through public engagement. This effort will not impede the HCC’s vital work of providing affordable housing for 96 low-income men and operating a food pantry serving over 4,300 households.
The Hoboken Uptown Farmers Market Is Back!
Coffee with Cohen … the home edition on Monday
On Monday, May 19th at 3 pm, I will host my monthly Coffee with Cohen … the home edition community event with special guest Congressman Rob Menendez.
Congressman Rob Menendez joins Coffee with Cohen on Monday
You can RSVP to join this virtual meeting here. If you have questions, please send them to HobokenPhil@gmail.com and I will try to address them. This event—and many past Coffee with Cohen events—can be found on my Facebook page and seen here.
Staying Up To Date
If you have any questions, or I can be of assistance to you or your family, please do not hesitate to contact me at HobokenPhil@gmail.com.
Phil Cohen
Hoboken City Councilman
Hoboken, New Jersey
HobokenPhil@gmail.com
(201) 639-4082
P.S. You can learn more about me and my ideas for Hoboken (as well as read this newsletter and prior newsletters) on my website philcohen.org.
P.P.S. If you like this Newsletter, and want to support my community service, please consider a contribution in support of my efforts.
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Paid for by Phil Cohen for Hoboken City Council |
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