Dear Neighbors,
Happy Pride Month! As we head to the first day of summer tomorrow, I hope you are all able to appreciate the lovely weather this week, both as we move slowly towards returning to a more normal existence and as we learn to live with COVID-19.
COVID-19 Incidence Update and a Bending the Curve
As of Thursday, 572 Hoboken residents have tested positive for COVID-19.
Since March 30th, 30 Hoboken residents have died due to COVID-19. For those of you who have endured such a difficult loss at this extraordinary time, please know that you have the full support of your neighbors and our entire Hoboken community. We are with you. Together, we send you our prayers and extend to you our wishes for your comfort, healing, and peace.
Standing up to Unfair Amenity Fees at 1000 Jefferson
During these uncertain times, additional economic burdens are hard. In early May, residents of 1000 Jefferson reached out to me and Mayor Bhalla complaining that after paying $850 in annual amenity fees, management refused to make any accommodations to residents despite the fact that the building’s community spaces had been unavailable for months. On May 4, Mayor Bhalla sent a letter to the 1000 Jefferson property manager requesting that they work together with their residents to offer residents a pro-rata credit for the time period the building’s amenities were unavailable to the residents.
On May 15th, a lawyer for the owners responded, stating in part, “While we are empathetic to each resident’s individual situation, refunding even a portion of every resident’s amenity fee would be detrimental to my client.” Though we received that frustrating lawyer’s response, we did not back down, and on May 29th, Hoboken’s Corporation Counsel responded asking management to reconsider giving the residents a refund and challenging the legal basis asserted by 1000 Jefferson’s counsel. On June 8, we were pleased to learn from 1000 Jefferson’s lawyers that they were willing to compromise this dispute. Management agreed to give each unit a $100 credit if they paid the Amenity Fee, which credit can be applied towards future rent or any other expense on the unit’s account. I’m glad that the City’s advocacy helped give some relief to the tenants at 1000 Jefferson.
Restaurant and Store Reopenings -- A Great Milestone on the Road to Recovery
Monday was an exciting day for Hoboken and the rest of New Jersey, with the much-awaited resumption of outdoor dining in our restaurants! I know that so many residents and restaurant owners alike are thrilled to have this bit of normalcy returned to our lives that has been on hold since March 14th, more than three months ago. Outdoor dining in Hoboken is now permitted until 11:00 pm Sunday through Thursday, and until midnight on Friday and Saturdays, although parklets are only permitted to be open until 11:00 pm every day of the week.
I was proud to attend the City’s ceremonial ribbon-cutting at Leo’s Grandevous on Monday afternoon, recognizing Leo’s and all the other great Hoboken businesses that are emerging from their period of dormancy, as we welcome them back to more-regular-business in the Mile Square City. In the picture below, behind our masks, we were all smiling wide as Mayor Bhalla cut the ribbon we held with Leo’s happy owners.
Leo’s is one of over 50 businesses that have been approved for parklets and sidewalk cafe expansion. The reason it was possible for so many restaurants to be open on Day 1, as granted by the State, was because the City Council worked seamlessly with Mayor Bhalla and his Administration on amending ordinances authorizing parking spaces to be used for restaurant and cafe seating. This allows for socially distant service at a time that indoors dining is not yet permitted. So, take advantage of our efforts, and make your reservations now! Outdoor tables are limited (separated by 6 feet from each other) and in huge demand.
Thinking of dining out uptown? Great idea! Here are just a few of our gems that are now open for outdoor seating, right now: Anthony David’s, Ali Baba, Elysian Cafe, Johnny Pepperoni, the Malibu Diner (their parking lot has never looked better!), Napoli’s, Sakú, Sorrelina, Tenth Street Pasta and Pizza, and Tenth and Willow, just to name a few. Call ahead and make your reservation to avoid a long wait and to have the best experience possible. You can go here for a list of all Hoboken restaurants reopening!
Restaurants are doing their best to keep their employees and their customers are safe. Businesses should be conducting daily health screenings for employees and providing face masks which employees are required to wear. All customers are required to bring and wear face masks when going inside the business or using the restroom. It’s also strongly advised that you wear your face cover while you wait for your table and maintain your social distancing of six feet at all times. You can also help ensure that our restaurants are doing the right thing, by observing whether social distancing and face cover requirements are being observed by our establishments. If you want to make a complaint addressing a business that is not providing an appropriate and safe dining experience, you can do so by emailing businessrecovery@hobokennj.gov. The City will then contact the business owner to ensure that regulations are being followed. To report face mask violations at businesses, residents can email covid19@hobokennj.gov.
Monday was also the first day that non-essential retail stores were permitted to re-open indoors at 50% capacity. Remember, wearing face masks are still required by all employees and all customers inside stores. It is so good to see our local businesses back in business!
Rental Assistance for Those in Need
New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs is hosting the Covid-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program. CERAP is a lottery that will provide temporary rental assistance to low- and moderate-income households that have had a substantial reduction in income or who became unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Enrollment Period is Monday, July 6, 2020, at 9:00 am until Friday, July 10, 2020, at 5:00 pm. You can find out more information about the program here.
Hoboken Relief Fund Music Festival
Next Thursday, June 25th at 7 pm, the City of Hoboken will host the Hoboken Relief Fund Music Festival. As the Co-Chair of the Hoboken Relief Fund, I can’t tell you how excited I am by the incredible line-up of musicians that have donated their talents for a concert benefiting the Hoboken Relief Fund. The Hoboken Relief Fund is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, and all donations will go to support Hoboken businesses and individuals who have been adversely impacted by COVID-19. All donations are tax-deductible. You can make your donation here!
Check out this crazy line-up! After Frank Sinatra, the most famous band to come out of Hoboken is Yo La Tengo. And yes, Yo La Tengo, will perform, heading up the bill. Also appearing -- the legendary, Marshall Crenshaw, Jim Babjak (The Smithereens), Julio Fernandez (Spyro Gyra)(amazingly back for a second performance for his beloved hometown and the Hoboken Relief Fund), Freedy Johnston, Graham Maby (Joe Jackson Band), Glenn Mercer (The Feelies), N'Kenge (Motown The Musical), Frankie Morales (Tito Puente Orchestra), Maxima Alert, Ry Lee Kortes, Joe Taino, Rebecca Turner, and many other great performers, and special guest Todd Abramson! You can RSVP to see the show here and you can watch the show here on June 25th at 7 pm!
All tax-deductible contributions go directly to fellow Hobokenites and the small local businesses that are suffering these days and are the backbone of our community. You can learn about the Hoboken Relief Fund and donate here.
Critical Census Filing
Despite the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hoboken’s 2020 Census participation rate has been impressive, and as of June 18th, we are at 62.6% participation citywide! However, we still have a way to go and are falling behind NJ’s response rate of 63.4%.
I strongly encourage all residents to respond online at www.my2020census.gov, over the phone, or by mail. While the self-response period has been extended, we need you to respond ASAP to avoid the need for in-person follow-up from the Census Bureau.
In order to be eligible for critical funding for our schools, roads, housing initiatives, non-profits, Medicaid, Medicare, and so much more, it is critical that all Hoboken residents complete the 2020 Census. It takes less than ten minutes to fill out the questionnaire online, but your response makes a big impact on our community. You can learn more about the importance of completing the Census here and here.
Coffee with Cohen . . . the home edition
To practice social distancing, rather than eliminate my monthly Coffee with Cohen constituent events, I turned to the internet. On Monday, June 15th, I hosted my latest Coffee with Cohen Livestream event. I enjoyed updating you on what’s going on with Hoboken’s COVID-19 issues, antibody testing, outdoor seating for Hoboken restaurants, voting by mail, and other miscellaneous information for residents. If you tune in, you will also learn the results of my poll in which I ask if you have received COVID-19 or Antibody testing. There have been over 260 views of Monday’s event as of yesterday. The event is hosted on my Facebook page @Philcohenforcouncil and you can view it here.
As long as we have this state of emergency, I plan to continue hosting this event twice a month on the internet, and I hope you join me at noon on Monday, June 29th for the next one!
In the interim, I encourage you to like my City Councilman Facebook page, where I make regular posts of interest to the community here or follow me on Twitter here, or Instagram here.
As always, if you want to reach out with any questions or concerns, or if I can be of any assistance to you or to your family, please do not hesitate to contact me at HobokenPhil@gmail.com
Stay safe everyone!
Phil Cohen
5th Ward Councilman
City of Hoboken, New Jersey
HobokenPhil@gmail.com
(862) 234-9053
P.S. You can learn more about me and my ideas for Hoboken on my website,
