Dear Neighbors,
Happy Thanksgiving 🦃 to you and your families!
As we head towards December here are your updates.
Addressing Flooding in Hoboken
My family Iived through Superstorm Sandy in October 2012. I remember well the devastation and loss that blighted our homes, our businesses, and our community. Streets turned into rivers when eight feet of Hudson River water submerged the Mile Square City and thousands were plunged into cold and darkness, without power for a week. So, it is exciting to share some recent Rebuild by Design milestones and national recognition for Hoboken's remarkable progress in developing resilient infrastructure, including our new ResilienCity Park which is already making a big difference for Northwest Hoboken.
New York Times Feature on Hoboken’s Flood Resiliency Success
Mr. Kimmelman highlights Hoboken's strategy of bundling water-absorbing infrastructure into amenities and features residents enjoy, like the Northwest Resiliency Park and pervious pavers and catch basins incorporated into safe street designs as part of the City’s Vision Zero program.
As the Chair of the City Council’s ad hoc subcommittee on Rebuild by Design and a member of the Rebuild by Design Citizens Advisory Group since 2017, I have been actively involved with plans to redesign sewers, strategically plan parks, including our newest planned resiliency park, Harborside Park, for which we celebrated a groundbreaking a few weeks ago. Harborside Park will serve as Hoboken's first storm surge resiliency park, a “Resist” component of our comprehensive Rebuild by Design plan.
Harborside Park Groundbreaking with NJ DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, NJ DEP Director Dennis Reinknecht, and Mayor Bhalla
I have been deeply, personally involved with addressing flooding in Hoboken through planning and executing the Rebuild by Design effort for the last 6 years, and am proud to have played a critical role in making our community safer and more resilient from flooding for generations to come.
You can read the New York Times architecture critic’s assessment of Hoboken's visionary leadership combating climate change here.
Hoboken’s Resiliency Efforts Featured on Brian Lehrer Show
Michael Kimmelman, founder of the New York Times initiative Headway, and author of "The Intimate City: Walking New York," appeared on The Brian Lehrer Show to discuss his New York Times article about Hoboken’s addressing climate change and contrasting Hoboken’s efforts to incorporate rain gardens and resiliency parks in its City planning with New York City’s approach.
Mr. Kimmelman discussed Hoboken’s robust initiatives to combat storm surges and heavy downpours since Superstorm Sandy, noting how Northwest Hoboken was not impacted during a week with 5 inches of heavy rain last September because of ResilienCity Park’s features that retained more than a million gallons of stormwater runoff, as designed, but how New York City subways and infrastructure were overwhelmed by the same storm. You can listen to the WNYC segment “How Hoboken is Responding to Climate Change” here.
New EV Charging Stations in the 5th Ward
I am pleased to share that two new EV charging stations in the 5th Ward are up and running. These new stations, located at 10th Street near Columbus Park, are a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future for our community.
Last year, I scouted the 10th Street EV location with Hoboken’s Parking and Transportation Director Ryan Sharp, and it's great to see these convenient EV charging points come online. In recent conversations with residents at The Columbian who own electric vehicles, it was clear that 5th Ward residents were anxious to use these stations. The two charging stations are level 2" chargers (adding about 20-25 miles of range per hour) and free of charge until April 30, 2024, as are 2 new DC fast charging stations that opened recently at the Monroe Arts Center on Monroe St. (50kW charging speed).
For more information on how to charge your vehicle at Hoboken’s public EV charging stations, and the locations of Hoboken’s public EV charging stations, click here.
The New EV Charging Station Near Columbus Park
Celebrate the Season 🎅with the Annual Christmas Tree 🎄Lighting!
Get ready to kick off the holiday season with joy and merriment at the City of Hoboken's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting event, in partnership with the Hoboken Business Alliance! Join us on Tuesday, November 28th, at 5 pm, at the festive corner of 11th and Washington Streets, as we illuminate the night with holiday cheer in the heart of the 5th Ward!
The celebration promises a fun lineup of family activities including Elvis the Elf, live performances by talented Hoboken kids at the bandstand on Washington and 11th, with a magical appearance by Santa Claus himself. Our local Hoboken businesses, supported and promoted by the Hoboken Business Alliance which support the tree lighting ceremony, also features local businesses on hand to ring in the holiday spirit including Merry Hot Cocoa, Apple Montessori School, and the Hive, offering complimentary hot cocoa and delicious baked goods to all who attend.
With Elvis the Elf!
The Hoboken Police Department will be on-site collecting unwrapped toys and gift cards that you can share with families in need this holiday season. Additionally, the Hoboken Community Center will accept your donations of non-perishable items for the community food pantry. The Hoboken Shelter also will collect donations of shower supplies at this event to support its shower program.
The City is providing free HOP service to and from this tree lighting event. Pickup starts at 3:30 pm at the Multi-Service Center at 124 Grand St., with convenient stops at various locations, such as at Fox Hill, and throughout the city. For a detailed schedule of performances and more information about the tree lighting, please click here.
November Office Hours . . . Coffee with Cohen
On Tuesday, I hosted my 90th Coffee with Cohen community event.
Thanks to The Hive, a great locally-owned and operated 5th Ward business, for hosting my November office hours, and thanks to the neighbors who stopped by for coffee, croissants, and lively, thoughtful conversations on various issues including Rebuild by Design, Maritime Park, the Doric, confronting antisemitism, and the City’s Nixle communications.
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.
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.
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Paid for by Phil Cohen for Hoboken City Council |
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