Dear Neighbors,
Wishing everyone an enjoyable and relaxing Labor Day weekend, as we honor the American labor movement and all the contributions American workers have made to our nation.
Good luck to all the families going back to school 📚🍎next week.
Here’s the latest updates for the Mile Square City.
New School Zones with 15 MPH Speed Limits
As a member of the Council’s transportation subcommittee, I am proud to take a leadership role in protecting our students in school zones. Last week, the Council unanimously voted to extend 15-mph school zones for all Hoboken K-12 educational institutions. This Vision Zero speed reduction initiative is an important step to protect our families and provide safe routes to our schools.
With a new school year soon to start, beginning September 12, the new 15-mph speed limits will be enforced during school arrival and dismissal times and recess periods. Look out for new signage coming soon marking these 15 MPH areas, which are mapped out here.
These slow speed school zones bolster a host of other recently completed Vision Zero projects in the city aimed at protecting Hoboken’s students and seniors, including concrete curb extensions near Hoboken High School, Columbus Park, and Wallace Elementary School; high-visibility crosswalks and all-way stops at intersections near Hoboken High School, Tessa International School, and Hoboken Catholic Academy. You can learn more about Hoboken’s Vision Zero action plan here.
A New Stop Sign is Coming at 12th and Grand
One intersection which I have focused on during the last three years is 12th and Grand. Many neighbors have expressed concern about the speed of vehicles traveling through this residential neighborhood and drivers not stopping for pedestrians at a crosswalk. A few years ago, after my renewed requests, the City added in-street pedestrian crossing warning signs which helped, but the neighbors really wanted a new stop sign at 12th and Grand. Installation of new stop signs requires a full-blown engineering study, but the then-ongoing construction at ResilenCity Park meant a meaningful study couldn’t be done until April of this year when new traffic patterns were established.
Well, the results of the traffic study are in, and they confirmed what I and many residents believed: a new stop sign is justified for this intersection. So, last week the City Council unanimously approved an ordinance I am co-sponsoring to add a new stop sign to the Grand Street approach at 12th and Grand, and I expect that after final Council approval we could see our new stop sign by the end of the month.
Thanks to Mayor Bhalla, Transportation and Parking Director Ryan Sharp, and City Engineer Olga Garcia for working with me on this sustained effort that will better protect this 5th Ward neighborhood.
The Youth Advisory Commission is Looking for 12 Special Kids
If you are, or know, a Hoboken resident aged 13 to 18, please consider encouraging them to apply for a spot on Hoboken’s Youth Advisory Commission (the “YAC”). The YAC is a vehicle for young residents to develop leadership skills and seek positive community change on issues that matter to them.
12 dedicated individuals will form the YAC, appointed by Mayor Bhalla and the City Council, after a careful selection process. Eligible Hoboken residents’ birthdays should fall between the ages of 13 and 18 on September 1, 2023. A term on the YAC spans the 2023-2024 school year. Want to apply? Visit the online application portal. The application deadline (both online or in-person at the City Clerk's Office) is Friday, September 15th at 4 pm.
Hoboken’s Shade Tree Commission Seeks Commissioners
Residents are invited to apply to serve on Hoboken’s Shade Tree Commission (STC). The STC is a dedicated group of volunteers who work to establish and oversee a robust and secure shade tree program, and by doing so, foster and enhance the environmental, economic, and social welfare of our community.
Comprised of five primary members and two alternates (all of whom are appointed by the Mayor), this board plays a central role in nurturing Hoboken's green spaces. All Hoboken residents are eligible to serve on the STC and can apply here.
Coffee with Cohen … the home edition
On Monday, I hosted my 85th Coffee with Cohen community meeting featuring special guest Hoboken Councilman at Large Joe Quintero.
We discussed protecting our community against rodents, new regulations for containerized garbage cans, and more. I also addressed my ordinance, unanimously adopted by the City Council last week, lifting bans on tattoo parlors and body art shops, updates on Hudson County’s plan for pickleball courts under the viaduct, and much more.
More than 120 people have already watched this event, which you can watch here. This event, and many past Coffee with Cohen events — are recorded and hosted on my Facebook page and you can watch them here.
Staying Up To Date and Seeking My Assistance
I issue this newsletter every other Friday. You can stay up to date by following me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. 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
(862) 234-9053
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.
