Dear Neighbors,
As we head into spring 🌸 here are your updates.
New Federal Funding for 800 Monroe Resiliency Park
The City has secured $850,000 in federal Community Project Funding to support the development of the 800 Monroe Resiliency Park. The funding, secured through the efforts of Congressman Rob Menendez, will help advance the creation of a park that combines recreational amenities with critical green infrastructure. Plans for the site include both passive and active recreational spaces such as dog runs, tennis courts, and a bike path, while helping the neighborhood better manage stormwater during severe rain events. Groundbreaking is expected in mid-2027.
Residents Invited to Provide Input on Hoboken’s 2026 Budget
Residents are invited to participate in an online survey to help inform the development of the City’s 2026 municipal budget, as the City seeks to address a projected $17 million budget gap. The survey seeks your feedback on potential cost reductions, revenue opportunities, and priorities for the City’s services and investments.
Please complete the budget survey here. Seniors can get assistance at the Multi-Service Center (124 Grand St.) to complete thee survey. The survey is open until Sunday, March 22 at 11:59 pm. Your answers, along with feedback gathered during upcoming public budget workshops, will guide the Administration’s crafting our municipal budget, expected to be provided to the Council next month.
Several big cost drivers contribute to the City’s projected shortfall, including approximately $3 million in increased health insurance expenses, $2 million in previously approved infrastructure payments, and $3 million in contractual salary obligations and public safety personnel. Without adjusting revenues and expenses, closing the $17 million gap would require more than a 20 percent municipal tax increase, something no one wants.
Hoboken’s financial situation reflects years of short-term decisions to “raid” the surplus to fund operating expenses, dramatically reducing the City’s reserves. Our surplus declined from about $24 million in 2018 to $10 million in 2025. Rebuilding and maintaining a sustainable surplus consistent with best practices is important. Hoboken’s rating agency, Standard & Poors, recently gave Hoboken a downwards rating guidance citing these issues, while maintaining — for now — Hoboken’s AA+ bond rating. A credit downgrade would make future bonding for necessary infrastructure projects much more expensive. I believe it is critical to maintain Hoboken’s hard-earned, excellent bond rating, and look forward to your feedback from the budget survey.
I am regularly meeting with members of the administration and my Council colleagues to understand all available options to ensure we do our best to mitigate impacts on taxpayers. I am working with Mayor Jabbour and her directors to identify every opportunity to find new revenues and streamline City Hall’s services to generate meaningful cost savings, while delivering the outstanding municipal services that our community expects and deserves.
Our Waterfront Walkway is Reopened!
A key section of Hoboken’s Hudson River Waterfront Walkway is open again. The temporary path on the east side of Sinatra Drive is available for pedestrians, runners, and cyclists to enjoy between Fifth and Sinatra Dr North.
Several improvements were completed during the walkway’s months-long closure, including: restored pavers along the promenade, ADA accessibility upgrades, new footings for 37 new pedestrian lights, new benches, railings, drinking fountains, and life-saving flotation devices.
My colleagues and I bonding for a year-long construction project to replace the aging bulkhead along Sinatra Drive. The original wooden bulkhead, built in the early 1900s, had deteriorated over time, leading to erosion, sinkholes, and structural instability. After conducting detailed inspections and testing, the City temporarily closed the waterfront walkway to replace the deteriorated seawall underpinning Sinatra Drive and our waterfront walkway, to restore the stability of the waterfront corridor, and to protect the nearby roadway infrastructure. Additional finishing work, including permanent lighting installation and minor touch-ups along the walkway should be completed by May.
Turnpike Expansion Plan Halted
I’m pleased to share some great news for Hoboken and Hudson County. Governor Mikie Sherrill ended the ill-conceived proposal to widen the New Jersey Turnpike extension to the Holland Tunnel — a plan I strongly opposed, including championing a resolution calling on former Governor Murphy to stop the plan.
Instead, the state will build a new Newark Bay Bridge, in a $6.7 billion project supporting 19,000 jobs — allowing traffic to begin shifting off the aging Turnpike extension bridge. This decision protects our quality of life, creates important union jobs and living wages, and advances needed regional transportation upgrades.
Join Me Monday for March Office Hours
I hope to see you Monday morning March 16th at 8 am for my March office hours at Bwe kafe — a great locally-owned and operated 5th Ward business! Come for coffee ☕️ croissants 🥐 and conversation about the issues that matter to you.
What: March Office Hours
Where: Bwe kafe, 1002 Washington Street
When: Monday, March 16th from 8 to 9:30 am
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. 
