Dear Neighbors,
Here are your monthly updates.
Protecting our Community from Nonessential Helicopter Traffic
Last week, I introduced this resolution as part of Hoboken’s ongoing efforts to seek federal regulation addressing the scourge of nonessential tourist and commuter helicopters that routinely fly at dangerously low altitudes above residential rooftops, creating serious risks to public safety, health, and quality of life — generating significant noise, air pollution and psychological stress for Hoboken and Jersey City residents. This week, the Jersey City Council passed its own resolution, based on Hoboken’s legislation, likewise calling for immediate federal intervention.
You can read our unanimously approved Hoboken helicopter resolution here.
I have focused on these issues for years. For example, in 2022, Mayor Bhalla and I wrote the Administrator of the FAA opposing a proposed agreement between the National Parks Service and the FAA to change helicopter flight routes — intended to protect visitors to the Statue of Liberty National Park from the noise of overhead helicopters — by redirecting that traffic over Liberty State Park, Jersey City, and Hoboken.
Hoboken Landlords Required to Make Important Disclosures to Tenants When Issuing Massive Rent Hikes
I also recently co-sponsored an ordinance that requires landlords to provide key disclosures when issuing tenants rent renewals that include rent hikes of 10% or more. This new law requires landlords to provide tenants with clear information if a lease renewal includes a massive 10%+ rent hike. Any landlord issuing a lease renewal to a tenant with a rent hike of 10% or more must now provide its tenant with the following accompanying information:
Noncompliance can result in a $1,000 fine per incident.
This law is a strong step toward greater transparency and accountability in Hoboken’s housing market. Thanks to Council Members Joe Quintero and Emily Jabbour for their leadership on these issues, as well as to Mayor Bhalla for his strong support. You can read this Ordinance here.
Major Infrastructure Projects Underway
There are significant infrastructure projects underway in Hoboken, as we make progress on a number of critical quality-of-life and long-term resiliency projects. Some of these projects have been planned for years, and some address critical issues that recently have come to light.
Seawall Waterfront Reconstruction
Hoboken has begun the first phase of its Waterfront Reconstruction Project, aimed at strengthening aging infrastructure along Sinatra Drive and laying the groundwork for the Sinatra Drive Redesign and Maritime Park. The current phase of this project focuses on stabilizing a deteriorating section of the seawall between the gazebo and Ninth Street. After a sinkhole appeared near Sybil’s Cave last year, an investigation revealed a significant void beneath a long, 80+ year old seawall which is badly eroded, and needs to be reconstructed. This seawall protects the Sinatra Drive roadway and the City’s riverfront structures.
To reduce traffic impacts, work on Sinatra Drive is scheduled weekdays from 8 am to 4 pm. Traffic on Sinatra Drive is northbound only during this work. The first phase is expected to be completed by fall 2025. Future phases will address other vulnerable sections of the waterfront and support planned upgrades, including a protected bikeway, safer crossings, new lighting, and green space enhancements. For updates and project details, click here.
Rebuild By Design Project Underway at Jersey Avenue
The Rebuild by Design project is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a coastal community like Hoboken to protect itself for generations due to rising sea levels and the effects of climate change. While these traffic impacts are causing short term pain for commuters and visitors, the long term gain for all Hoboken residents, visitors, and businesses is immeasurable.
The closure of Jersey Avenue, expected to last about a month, is causing significant traffic impacts during rush hour in the morning and late afternoon/early evening. To help ease this congestion, the City, NJDEP, and local partners have implemented traffic mitigation measures, including signal adjustments, extra lanes on Grove Street, posted detours, and police traffic control. Navigation apps are being updated regularly, and nearby construction projects are being paused to reduce disruption. A southbound lane on Jersey Avenue is expected to reopen by late May or June, with full vehicular access planned to be restored by July 4th.
Learn more about the City’s traffic mitigation efforts here or visit NJDEP’s Rebuild by Design page here.
Madison Street Infrastructure Upgrades Progress
Major infrastructure work, which began last year on Madison Street in Northwest Hoboken continues — addressing chronic flooding in the neighborhood near the Shop-Rite by replacing a century-old, inadequate sewer main line that runs below Madison Street for several blocks, and more. This essential upgrade, a collaboration between the City, North Hudson Sewerage Authority, and PSE&G, includes replacing outdated sewers and water mains, raising the roadway, relocating electrical service, and installing new sidewalks and streetscape features.
Current Work on Madison Between 10th & 11th Includes:
- Installing pile foundations to support updated utility lines
- Reconstructing the roadway and sidewalks
- Upgrading stormwater infrastructure to more effectively divert rainfall into the sewer system
This stage of construction is anticipated to be completed in May. These upgrades address longstanding infrastructure challenges and will deliver lasting benefits for the Madison Street neighborhood and the 5th Ward. This plan was championed by Mayor Bhalla when he came into office, and I have proudly supported since I was elected to represent this neighborhood in 2019. Together with the Northwest Resiliency Park, where we have added major flood detention capacity and Hoboken’s third flood pump, this long-planned project will protect and make our community resilient for the long-term.
You can get regular updates on all ongoing City construction projects here.
April Office Hours on Tuesday
Please join me Tuesday, April 29th at 8 am for my April office hours at a terrific locally-owned and operated 5th Ward business — Terrace by Alessio’s in ResilienCity Park!
What: April Office Hours with Councilman Phil Cohen
When: Tuesday, April 29th from 8 to 9:30 am
Where: Terrace by Alessio’s, 1201 Madison St
Stop by for coffee ☕️ croissants 🥐 and conversation about the issues that matter to you and our community.
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.
P.P.S. If you like this Newsletter, and want to support my community service, please consider a contribution in support of my efforts.
