Dear Neighbors,
Happy Pride Month 🏳️🌈 everyone! Here’s the latest in the Mile Square City.
Join us Monday Morning For the Grand Opening of the NW Resiliency Park
Please join me Monday morning for the official grand opening of the NW Resiliency Park. We will celebrate a ribbon-cutting of the City’s largest resiliency park — complete with a basketball court, splash pad, play areas, passive green spaces, a new flood pump, and infrastructure to retain, and discharge, 2 million gallons of rainwater — putting the “resiliency” in the NW Resiliency Park!
What: Ribbon-Cutting for New Northwest Resiliency Park
When: Monday, June 12, 2023, at 11:30 am
Where: 12th & Adams Streets
As your Councilman, I worked closely with Environmental Services Director Jennifer Gonzalez the past three years, addressing construction schedules, answering your questions, and updating the neighborhood on construction status. The park’s completion is a testament to the progress we made together – and signifies a major milestone for the Fifth Ward and our community – fulfilling the promise I made to many of you, to help provide the support and resources necessary to make our vision a reality.
So, come on out Monday morning, join leaders of our community, friends, and family, and celebrate a great community milestone as we open the City of Hoboken’s largest resiliency park. Great things are happening in the 5th Ward, and I couldn’t be prouder of our progress to make Hoboken an even better place to visit, live, work, or raise a family.
Celebrating Pride
Hoboken kicked off Pride Month with a special LGBTQIA+ Pride flag-raising ceremony on June 1st, and then last Saturday I, along with many members of our community, together painted a beautiful rainbow crosswalk at the intersection of Newark and Washington Streets.
It takes a village to paint a pride rainbow!
Other City of Hoboken Pride events this month include:
On Saturday, June 17th, starting at 11 am in Church Square Park, the Hoboken Public Library is hosting its Banned Books Read-a-Thon featuring guest readers sharing books that have been "banned" across the country. The day includes a captivating Drag Queen Story Hour with the always-fabulous Harmonica Sunbeam. For more information, click here.
This Pride Month, let’s celebrate the diversity, love, and acceptance that makes Hoboken such a special place where everyone feels welcome and at home.
Making Willow Avenue Safer
I am pleased to see the City of Hoboken recently was awarded a substantial $1.3 million grant from the NJ Department of Transportation for Willow Avenue Vision Zero safety improvements.
The grant will help improve Willow Ave. from 11th to 16th Streets, a key component of our Vision Zero Action Plan, as this corridor has been identified as a priority to address pedestrian safety. I regularly hear constituents’ concerns about these intersections, particularly near Trader Joe's, Walgreens, Fox Hill, and the Wallace School.
As we work on creating new neighborhoods 'west of Willow' between 15th and 16th Streets, securing this funding comes at a great time. I am eager to participate in a robust public planning process to implement these crucial Vision Zero upgrades. Kudos to Mayor Bhalla and Transportation and Parking Director Ryan Sharp for their leadership in their effort to secure this important grant award.
Court Street Historic Rehabilitation Project and Survey
It is important to preserve historically significant aspects of our community when possible. So, I am glad to share an update on a plan to preserve and improve Hoboken’s historic Court Street blocks.
The City has developed two alternative concept designs to upgrade and improve Court Street between Newark and 7th Street. Both designs incorporate invaluable community feedback and prioritize the preservation of the street's historic nature by reusing existing historic stones while incorporating two-way circulation to improve accessibility and enhance drainage systems through the center of the roadway.
Now, the City needs your input! Submit your feedback on the design concepts in an online survey here. The survey will remain open until June 15th at 6 pm. The City also is hosting a virtual community meeting on June 14th, at 6:30 pm that you can register for here.
To learn more about the Court Street Historic Rehabilitation Project, click here.
One of the Court Street design concepts
Extended Office Hours with the City’s Social Workers
Did you know that this year two full-time social workers now work for the City of Hoboken? Our compassionate social workers play a vital role in helping residents access essential community resources. Whether you or someone you know is in need of mental health support, facing homelessness, or experiencing food insecurity, our social workers are here to assist and offer valuable support.
Next Tuesday, June 13th, from 4 to 6 pm at City Hall, the Office of Constituent Services, in collaboration with Hoboken's dedicated social workers, will be extending their office hours. No appointment is required. Simply drop by during the specified time (entering City Hall at the Newark Street entrance) and our dedicated social workers will be there to help you and your family.
COVID Vaccinations and Vaccination Records
To get current information on Hoboken’s COVID vaccination clinics click here. If you are a Hoboken resident and would like a copy of your vaccination record, please contact LMedeiros@hobokennj.gov. Vaccination records also are accessible for New Jersey residents through the Docket app.
Coffee with Cohen … the home edition
On Monday, I hosted my 81st Coffee with Cohen community event at The Hive, a great locally-owned and operated business in the 5th Ward.
Thanks to The Hive for hosting my June office hours and thanks to Councilmember Emily Jabbour, my wonderful wife Rebecca, and the many neighbors and friends who stopped for coffee, croissants, and conversations about parking, movie shoots, supporting local “mom and pop” businesses, and more.
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. 
