Dear Neighbors,
Wishing you and your families all the best for the holidays and the new year.
Here are your year-end updates.
800 Monroe Resiliency Park Final Design
The final draft concept design for the upcoming resiliency park at 800 Monroe Street has been released. The proposed design features dog runs, passive lawn spaces, native gardens, a pedestrian plaza, tennis courts, a water spray feature, fitness equipment, and a protected bike lane. Additionally, above and below-ground infrastructure will store up to 430,000 gallons of stormwater.
I proudly supported the Monarch litigation settlement ending the threat of two 11-story condos being built over the 15th Street piers. Mayor Bhalla’s landmark swap agreement with Ironstate, initiated in December 2021, paved the way for Ironstate to transfer the property and develop the 800 Monroe Resiliency Park — instead of a 150+ condominium development. Over the course of nearly 12 months, this project underwent an extensive public planning process. The final concept design, crafted by the City’s project consultant AECOM, incorporates residents’ input through community meetings and online surveys.
The park is funded in part by up to $15 million in community contributions from the 930 Monroe St. redevelopment project. When complete, this resiliency park, along with the 5th Ward’s ResilienCity Park, and two other resiliency parks, will allow Hoboken to retain — and then discharge — approximately 3.4 million gallons of rainwater!
You can learn more about the 800 Monroe Resiliency Park and see the final design presentation here.
💃🎶🎄Fox Hill Christmas Party 💃🎶🎄
Last week, my friends at Fox Hill celebrated a memorable Christmas 🎄 holiday, where the festive spirit came alive with a holiday dinner, and musical performances by Danny Matos y La Zaborínquen that I sponsored. The combination of great company, delicious food, and salsa dancing 💃 made for a memorable Christmas holiday for the Housing Authority’s residents to enjoy.
Councilman Quintero and I Serve Holiday Dinner
I am grateful for the Fox Hill community, where the magic of the 🎅 season arrived with music 🎶, dance🕺💃, and the spirit of togetherness.
Danny Matos y La Zaborínquen Performed for Fox Hill
Hoboken’s Housing Improvement Program
The City has introduced a Housing Improvement Program initiative to assist low-to-moderate-income residents in undertaking essential home repairs. This program is funded by the City's Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
Qualified applicants can receive up to $24,000 in a no-interest, 10-year forgivable loan. The funds can be applied to various major home repairs, including roofs, foundations, heating, electrical, windows, insulation, and plumbing.
Applicants must be Hoboken homeowners or landlords who have a gross annual household income below the set maximum limits (see chart below). Interested individuals are encouraged to apply for limited funds here, on a first-come, first-served basis, or call (609) 664-2769 Ext. 9 to learn more.
December Office Hours . . . Coffee with Cohen
On Tuesday, I hosted my 92nd Coffee with Cohen community event at Tosti, a great locally-owned and operated 5th Ward business. Thanks to the neighbors who stopped by for coffee, croissants, and lively, thoughtful conversations with leaders of the Hoboken Shelter who addressed homelessness and housing insecurity in our community, public safety, and opportunities to volunteer for and support the Hoboken Shelter.
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. 
