Dear Neighbor,
As hints of Spring peek through this winter, here is an update.
Supporting and Assisting Hoboken’s Homeless Community
I have heard concerns from many about the rising number of homeless people in Hoboken. So, last year the City Council authorized Mayor Bhalla to take a new approach to address this issue, hiring two full-time social workers dedicated to assisting Hoboken’s homeless population — connecting them with appropriate care providers and resources.
Last week, Hoboken officially welcomed Lori Hetzel and Bianca Hoffer as the city's first-ever social workers. With two full-time social workers at City Hall, we are taking an innovative and thoughtful approach to assisting our homeless population by getting them the support and services they need, including addressing housing insecurity. Our social workers also will provide guidance and support to clients referred by the Hoboken Police Department to assist with family disputes, issues of abuse, and juvenile delinquency. I welcome this new proactive approach to helping our residents.
Making our Neighborhoods Safer
Two weeks ago, a resident reached out to me and asked whether the intersection at 10th and Garden could be “daylighted.” The resident pointed out that with cars parking illegally near the corners, and with no stop sign westbound on 10th Street, cars heading south on Garden approached the intersection completely blind to oncoming traffic, and pedestrians entering the intersection also were at risk.
I shared my concerns with Transportation Director Ryan Sharp on a Friday. Impressively, by the following Monday afternoon, Director Sharp and his team had created a much safer intersection for our neighborhood.
If you have any quality of life concerns, please reach out to me at HobokenPhil@gmail.com and I will do my best to address them along with Mayor Bhalla’s administration and City Hall staff.
Big Improvements at 10th & Garden
Expanding the City’s “Daylighting” Program
A number of people have reached out to me asking whether other problematic intersections can be “daylighted”. As your Councilperson, I proudly supported, at our February 1 City Council meeting, a contract to purchase 500 flexible bollards just like those installed last week at 10th & Garden in the above photo.
The 500 new bollards will protect 200 corners at 50 intersections this year. This low-cost, high-impact, quick-installation Vision Zero safety strategy will improve intersection safety by improving sight lines for drivers and pedestrians. To learn more about Hoboken’s Vision Zero program, click here.
More Weehawken Cove Improvements
Resiliency efforts I have long supported continue moving ahead. With the long-abandoned sailboats⛵️finally removed, the City’s second phase of restoring Weehawken Cove has begun. This effort aims to rejuvenate the cove's ecosystem and protect the area breached by the Hudson during Superstorm Sandy by natural means, including building a living shoreline to foster the growth of marine mollusks and filter feeders.
First, the City will fix the 16th Street bulkhead, enhance the surrounding waterfront walkway, install new drainage, and upgrade existing lighting and seating. Then, the City will start building Harborside Park at 15th and Garden, as part of the NJDEP’s Rebuild by Design initiative. The new park will feature above-ground amenities that will protect the City from storm surge flooding caused by events such as Superstorm Sandy.
Not only will this fully funded work enhance our world-class waterfront park, but it will enhance our comprehensive Rebuild By Design effort — making Hoboken resilient for generations to come. For more information on Rebuild by Design, click here. For Weehawken Cove Restoration Project construction updates, click here.
Expanding ♻️Hoboken’s ♻️Textile ♻️Recycling ♻️Program
The City of Hoboken and Hoboken’s Green Team are expanding our Textile Recycling Program by adding two new drop-off locations (including a new uptown location at Elysian Park) and two bins for reusable bag donations. This program allows residents to drop off unwearable textiles such as clothing, shoes, accessories, and linens at four designated bins.
Since its launch in December 2022, the textile recycling program has successfully reduced greenhouse gas emissions by diverting textiles from landfills. So far, over two tons of textiles have been recycled through the program.
For more information on Hoboken’s Textile Recycling Program, click here.
A New Textile Recycling Bin at 7th & Jackson
Hoboken Business Alliance Survey
Last month, I was honored when my City Council colleagues unanimously elected me to serve a second year as the Council’s representative on the Board of the Hoboken Business Alliance (HBA). The HBA's mission is to promote and improve Hoboken’s business environment. The HBA provides additional sanitation, beautification, and marketing services, and hosts public events (like the Christmas Tree lighting at 11th and Washington Streets last December).
The HBA is conducting a survey to assess its programs and services provided to residents, business owners, and visitors of Hoboken, and is looking for your input. You can take the HBA survey and share your views on how the HBA best can enhance and promote our business community here.
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 are also accessible for all New Jersey residents through the Docket app.
Coffee with Cohen
On Tuesday, I hosted my 73rd Coffee with Cohen community event at Mojo Coffee, a terrific locally-owned and operated 5th Ward coffee shop.
Thanks to Mojo Coffee for hosting this month’s neighborhood office hours and thanks to the neighbors who stopped by for conversation and questions over coffee and pastries before starting their work day this Tuesday morning.
Staying Up To Date and Seeking My Assistance
I regularly 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 concerns, or if 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.
