Dear Neighbors,
As we head towards Hoboken’s world-famous 🎃 Halloween 🎃 here are your updates.
Protecting Our Residents, Supporting Our Small Businesses, and Getting It Right
One of the things that makes Hoboken special is our vibrant small business community and the incredible neighborhoods we call home. Finding the right balance between supporting our businesses and protecting residents' quality of life isn't always easy, but it's something I take seriously.
Recently, the City Council enacted legislation aimed at regulating businesses’ use of amplified outdoor sound on our waterfront. While I certainly understood residents’ concerns, I had serious legal concerns about rushing through an ordinance that appeared to single out one business, with new mandatory monthly permit fees for the business to operate, and looming new $1,000 fines for violations.
When the ordinance came up for a final vote, I raised my concerns and urged my colleagues to slow down, especially after our Corporation Counsel agreed serious legal issues had not been considered, and the Corporation Counsel asked the City Council for a two-week pause to research and report back. Unfortunately, a majority of my colleagues steamed ahead without the benefit of a legal opinion, and approved the Ordinance over my objections.
Well, it turned out there were good reasons to pump the brakes!
Just two weeks after the ordinance was adopted, Corporation Counsel provided a legal opinion concluding that the legal concerns were legitimate, creating real exposure for Hoboken taxpayers, and that the New Jersey Legislature requires municipalities to receive advance written approval from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection — approval the City had not sought — before enacting noise ordinances. As a result, on October 5, the Council unanimously approved my Ordinance repealing the noise ordinance we too hastily adopted in September.
The good news is we are now pursuing a collaborative approach with the affected local business to “turn down the bass” and help ensure next season will be a successful one for our businesses, and a quieter one for our residents.
Good government shouldn’t be a race to pass well-intended legislation. It's about engaging with and listening to all stakeholders, listening to our City professionals, and doing our best to get it right. I believe we can and should protect both our residents' quality of life and our local businesses that make the Mile Square City a wonderful place to live, visit, work or raise a family.
🏆#1 in the USA🏆 — Hoboken is Recognized as a “Walker’s Paradise”
Travel + Leisure noted Hoboken’s “compact street grid, mix of shops, restaurants, and homes, and convenient access to PATH, NJ Transit, light rail, and ferry stops all ‘within a few blocks of most residences’ contributed to Hoboken’s top score. Only in Your State recognized that in Hoboken “everything from going to the grocery store to commuting to New York City is ‘doable on foot, no car required, making Hoboken perfect for pedestrians looking to ditch daily car trips.’”
I love walking around Hoboken, and have been commuting to Manhattan by public transportation for more than 20 years — so it’s very cool to see us rated as a “walker’s paradise” and celebrated in this way.
I would like to offer my congratulations to the other “walker’s paradises” rounding out the top five on the list: Cambridge, Mass; West Hollywood, California; and our neighbors in Union City and West New York — but make no mistake — We’re #1!
Check out Travel + Leisure’s rave here.
Hoboken Steps Up Its Traffic Safety Enforcement
Hoboken Police are increasing enforcement of traffic laws, issuing summonses for failing to stop at stop signs and failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. These tickets are expensive and reflect our commitment to keeping everyone safe.
As we work toward safer streets for everyone, please remember to come to a complete stop at stop signs and always stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, even when there is no stop sign. Cyclists, too, must follow the rules of the road.
HoBOOken 5K Returns to Pier A!
Get your costumes! The annual HoBOOken 5K Run takes place Sunday morning at 10 am at Pier A, bringing the community together for a fun, festive event that supports the Hoboken Shelter and its work serving neighbors experiencing homelessness.
Whether you’re running, walking, or cheering on participants, it’s a great way to enjoy the Halloween season while giving back to our community. You can register at hobooken5k.com!
Who will be the “top banana” in this year’s HoBOOken 5K?
Jersey Avenue Resurfacing and Grove Street Closure Updates
Jersey Avenue has long included a pitted stretch of Jersey City roadway that leads to Hoboken’s southern border at Harrison Street. So, I’m pleased to see Jersey Avenue is being resurfaced between 14th Street in Jersey City and Harrison Street in Hoboken to improve road conditions and safety before the upcoming, extended closure of Grove Street for major Rebuild by Design work. The Jersey Avenue work includes utility upgrades, paving, and new pavement markings.
I appreciate the collaboration between our regional partners to improve this important connection between Hoboken and Jersey City while minimizing disruptions.
Help Shape Public Art at Hoboken’s Future 800 Monroe Resiliency Park
The City is seeking artists to design an interactive sculpture for the future 800 Monroe Resiliency Park. I encourage local residents and artists to learn more about this opportunity to bring Hoboken’s history, industrial roots, and commitment to resiliency to life through public art.
The park will also feature tennis courts, lawns, gardens, and stormwater infrastructure to help reduce flooding during heavy rainfall.
Artists must submit a letter of interest, examples of previous work, concept sketches, and a proposed budget by Monday, November 30. Artists can submit proposals here. Questions can be directed to hobokenartcommittee@gmail.com. The selected proposal will be reviewed by the community and City Council at a public hearing, with funding provided through the Hoboken Public Art Fund.
Coffee with Cohen . . . the Home Edition
On Tuesday, October 27th at 12 pm, I will host my monthly Coffee with Cohen … the home edition community event with special guest Congressman Rob Menendez.
Congressman Rob Menendez Joins Coffee with Cohen on Tuesday
You can RSVP to join this virtual meeting here. If you have questions for me or for the Congressman, please send them to HobokenPhil@gmail.com and we 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.
