Dear Neighbors,
With back to school coming 📚 here are your monthly updates.
Willow Avenue Vision Zero Upgrade Plans
I have long championed Hoboken’s Vision Zero efforts. Hoboken and Hudson County are working to reimagine Willow Avenue between 11th and 16th Streets, one of the city’s busiest and most crash-prone corridors.
The project aims to make Willow Avenue safer and more welcoming for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, seniors and schoolchildren alike. Proposed changes include upgraded crosswalks, wider curb extensions, pedestrian islands, new signal timing, traffic-calming features near Wallace Elementary School, protected bike lanes, and improved lighting. These upgrades are grounded in research showing that such improvements reduce crashes, encourage walking and biking, and create stronger, more connected neighborhoods.
After rounds of community meetings, and online surveys, the next round of community engagement is expected this fall, with construction planned for 2027. Earlier improvements at Willow Avenue and 11th Street, combined with $1.4 million in funding awarded in 2023, has laid the groundwork for this major public safety effort. You can explore the project details and design concepts here.
15th Street Roadway Improvements Set to Begin
For years, residents have complained how dangerous 15th Street is, with its uneven, rutted pavement, huge grade variations, and years of use as a long-neglected industrial roadway. Finally, construction is underway on the 15th Street Roadway Improvement Project, for a major upgrade to transform this corridor into a welcoming gateway for the 5th Ward and Northwest Hoboken.
The project, expected to be completed by November 2025, will elevate and reconstruct the roadway and sidewalks between Madison and Adams and resurface 15th Street between Willow and Park Avenues. In addition to fixing potholes and uneven pavement, the work brings major Vision Zero safety features and resiliency upgrades. Residents can expect new refuge islands, high-visibility crosswalks, ADA-compliant ramps, rapid flashing beacons at crossings, and improved lighting.
Cyclists will benefit from a raised two-way bikeway and interim protected bike lanes forming the first piece of the Green Circuit in the North End Redevelopment Area. The project includes new trees, wider sidewalks, and flood-mitigation measures, with the roadway raised up to two feet to reduce the impact of heavy rains. As construction begins, 15th Street will be closed 24/7 between Madison & Jefferson. Detour signs will be posted, and Hoboken Police will assist with traffic circulation. You can read more about the project here.
Help Shape Hoboken’s New Municipal Website
As your Councilman, I have supported investments in upgrading Hoboken’s municipal website to be more user friendly, making navigation easier, and expanding access to City services. This effort is part of a broader initiative to modernize local government and ensure City services are consistently responsive to our community’s needs.
The City has launched a website design survey to gather feedback from residents, businesses, and visitors. Input collected will help shape features, functionality, and navigation of the new site. Features for the new website include a mobile-friendly interface, streamlined online forms and payment options, enhanced search tools, and multilingual support. Share feedback by completing the survey by Monday, September 1 at 7 pm.
Labor Day Weekend the Hoboken PATH Station Will Close for Urgent Repairs
The Hoboken PATH Station will close from 11:59 pm Thursday, August 28, through 5 am Tuesday, September 2 for urgent repairs to the track and interlocking system. The interlocking, which allows trains to switch tracks and access platforms, has experienced mechanical issues in recent weeks that require long-term fixes.
During the closure, crews will install newly fabricated parts, stabilize the track bed, and perform extensive testing to restore the interlocking to full function. Once complete, the repairs will allow PATH to resume more frequent peak-hour service at Hoboken. Port Authority has scheduled the work over Labor Day weekend, one of the lowest ridership times of the year, and arranged travel alternatives for customers. Riders should expect some crowding and plan ahead. For details on alternative service options and more information, click here.
Stevens Institute Tuition Discounts for Hoboken Residents
Stevens Institute of Technology has launched an initiative to strengthen its connection with the Hoboken community offering exclusive tuition discounts to Hoboken residents. The discounts apply to graduate-level courses, certificate programs, and degree programs across a wide range of fields.
This opportunity gives residents access to world-class education here in Hoboken to advance their careers, switch professions, or gain new skills and knowledge. Dedicated Stevens staff are available to guide interested residents through the process and help match them with programs that best fit their goals.
To learn more about available programs and tuition discounts, click here.
New Restaurant Spotlight: Mile Square Café
A warm welcome to Mile Square Café, the newest addition to Hoboken’s booming dining scene, located at 8th and Park in a space that had been vacant for 16 years. The café is getting rave reviews, with standouts like the lemon ricotta pancakes with blueberry compote, a much-talked-about breakfast burrito, and amazing housemade focaccia bread to name a few.
Congratulations to Chef Stephen El Hassan and team — (the team behind O’Bagel) — on the successful launch of this exciting new Hoboken food spot. Stop by and check it out! You can learn more about Mile Square Café here.
These pancakes are amazing!
Coffee with Cohen . . . the Home Edition, this Tuesday at noon
On Tuesday, August 26th at 12 pm, I will host my monthly Coffee with Cohen … the home edition community event with special guest Caleb Stratton, Hoboken’s Chief Resiliency Officer and Business Administrator.
You can RSVP to join this virtual meeting here. If you have questions, please send them to HobokenPhil@gmail.com and I will try to address them.
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.
