Dear Neighbors,
As 2024 begins, it seems a good time to reflect on 2023 and the highlights of the past year. Here are some memorable moments and milestones from the past year.
Finalizing the Monarch Settlement and Finding a New DPW Garage Home
Sometimes accomplishments include working to stop bad things from happening! Last year we worked on completing the Monarch settlement, ensuring Hoboken’s waterfront remained public, and eliminating the threat of Ironstate’s planned two 11-story residential towers atop the 15th Street Hudson River piers.
In January, as the City worked to identify a new site for its DPW garage as required by the settlement, 5th Ward residents were concerned the DPW garage might temporarily be located at the City’s 13th and Adams parking facility. I reassured the residents of 1200 Grand, 1300 Grand, and 1100 Adams, that the garage would not be relocated — even temporarily — near their homes, and successfully worked with my Council colleagues and Mayor Bhalla’s administration to find a better location — Academy Bus’ property at 15th and Adams, adjacent to the North Hudson Sewerage Authority.
Standing up For Tenants Against Illegal Rent Hikes
In 2023, we grappled with management companies’ exorbitant and illegal rent hikes. Working with residents and Mayor Bhalla’s Administration, we fought back and made great strides to help 5th Ward renters, including at The Harlow, The Rivington, The Jordan, and The Artisan buildings, and many other buildings across the city.
In April, I authored and introduced a resolution that garnered unanimous support from my Council colleagues, declaring unwavering support for tenants hit with unconscionable rent hikes from corporate property management companies, and calling out the companies. I worked with the City’s lawyers to bring legal pressure when reasonable accommodations for the tenants could not be achieved. Our efforts made a real impact — empowering residents to renegotiate lease renewals with significantly reduced rent hikes and allowing tenants to remain in their homes.
The Rivington's management company reversed the proposed 2022 market rent increases and agreed to be subject to Hoboken’s Rent Control Ordinance forever. Because of our efforts, Rivington residents’ rent increases will never exceed the Consumer Price Index (currently about 3.5%) or 5%, whichever is lower.
The Ballpark’s residents got new, fairer leases re-issued after management met with me and Mayor Bhalla in May, and management committed to a new, fairer approach on rent calculations. Managementt also agreed to address long-standing maintenance concerns. Our efforts resulted in significant rent hike reductions and a continuing, constructive dialogue with management supporting The Ballpark’s tenants.
ResilienCity Park Opens and Transforms Northwest Hoboken
In June, we celebrated the grand opening of ResilienCity Park and the City’s first new athletic fields in a decade opening at 12th and Jefferson. As your Councilman, I worked closely with the Mayor's Administration on this transformative project, ensuring it not only enhances our community's recreational spaces and beautiful passive places, but also protects this 5th Ward neighborhood from the disastrous flooding we experienced during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. More good things are coming to ResilienCity Park when Alessio’s Cafe opens later this year.
Confronting Antisemitism
Standing Up to Book Bans
In September, along with my City Council colleagues, we took a united stand in support of the Hoboken Public Library’s Board of Trustees against book censorship, declaring Hoboken a Book Sanctuary City. I am proud to have co-sponsored the resolution ensuring that diverse opinions and beliefs are protected. I am also proud to have participated in the Library’s Banned Book Read-a-Thon in June, during Pride Month, as part of our commitment to have all types of books accessible to our community.
Harborside Park Groundbreaking — Rebuild by Design’s Next Chapter
With the groundbreaking of Harborside Park in October, we marked a significant step in our efforts to combat storm surges and strengthen Hoboken's resiliency. As chair of the Council’s Ad Hoc Rebuild by Design Subcommittee and a member of the Rebuild by Design Citizens Advisory Group since 2017, I have been actively engaged in this critical resiliency program.
Harborside Park is a $330 million state project, part of the Rebuild by Design initiative, which will effectively create a barrier preventing the Hudson from breaching its banks at Weehawken Cove while also creating beautiful new public spaces on our waterfront — a testament to our longstanding commitment to safeguard our community for generations to come.
Groundbreaking with NJ DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, NJ DEP Director Dennis Reinknecht, and Mayor Bhalla
Improving Pedestrian Safety
Celebrating our Election Success
Thanks to the nearly 1,700 5th Ward residents who participated in our City Council election in November. I was proud to be re-elected with 56% of the votes cast, after being elected in 2019 with 53% of the vote. I appreciate your support and look forward to continue serving you and our amazing community for another four years.
Sinatra Drive Redesign
I worked closely with the Parking and Transportation Department to ensure that the Sinatra Drive Redesign Project enhances public safety – with a beautiful, two-lane protected bike path along the river, safer crosswalks across Sinatra Drive for pedestrians, and even adding 66 new parking spaces for neighborhood residents and visitors to use. Our collaborative efforts resulted in a final design unveiled in December.
A New Plan for Maritime Park
In 2019, as a Council candidate I pledged to work to connect our public waterfront for all to enjoy. Collaborating with the City, Mayor Bhalla, and my Council colleagues, we acquired the 8.2-acre Union Dry Dock site last year and now, as legal owner of the land, we are planning for Maritime Park, including a vast active and passive recreational area, a spacious flexible lawn, an improved and expanded skate park, a larger beach, a new pier, a community building, a play area featuring natural materials and structures, and additional amenities, ensuring a beautiful and accessible waterfront space for all to enjoy.
Looking Forward to a Great 2024
I am energized by the progress and accomplishments we made together in 2023. Your support, engagement, feedback, and thoughtful ideas have been instrumental in all that we accomplished. I am committed to continue working together to make Hoboken an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.
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.
Thank you for being an important part of our community's success. Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy New Year.
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. 
