Dear friends and neighbors:
More things happening!
LETS DESIGN AND FIX FLOODING TOGETHER: What do you want our anti-flooding project to look like?
Tomorrow night – May 9th from 7-9PM at Wallace. We are having the kick-off public meeting for what is referred to as the “Design Phase” of our $230 Million anti-flooding project Rebuild By Design. Honestly, even if you have not yet been interested enough to participate, now is the time where it will be interesting to everyone. The task ahead of us is to design something that will range in height from 12+ feet to 1 foot and that will meander through our community, but have it look like anything BUT a wall. It can look like a park, an amphitheater, a climbing path, a planter, or even a bench. YOU GET TO HELP DESIGN THIS! So please come to meet the design team, get an update and hear about the go forward design process that will take the next 12-18 months.
An important "ALSO"…. notice on the map below – the pink lines to the south. There are 2: one that runs along the tracks, to the south of the Hoboken Yard (NJ Transit) Redevelopment Plan project site and one that runs along observer highway to the north of the project site. They have not yet selected which path the project will take.
THIS HAS NOT YET BEEN RESOLVED and is a BIG DEAL. Because no progress was made on NJ Transit’s redevelopment of the site to date, we find ourselves in a situation where the timing of the two projects do not match and there is a conflict about how to move forward. The Rebuild By Design Project may progress with the northern line because NJ Transit / LCOR could not move critical structures in time. This could result in the anti-flooding structure being built along Observer highway, effectively boxing in the project site between railroad tracks and a wall. Whether you are pro-development or anti-development, or somewhere in between, come share your views about this conflict and the potential impact on Hoboken and learn more.
SHIPWRECK COVE: 2 Done, More to do…
Yesterday, Ken’s Marine Service was onsite in the Weehawken Cove to remove the two of the boats that had been wrecked / damaged in our recent storm from 3 weeks ago. Who doesn’t love watching crane’s lift heavy objects! (I totally do…).
A special shout out to the administration – notably Parking Director Ryan Sharp, Fire Chief Brian Crimmins, Assistant Business Administrator Patrick Wherry and Anthony Ricciardi who have been navigating the myriad agencies researching this complex issue (Army Corps, Coast Guard, NJ State Police, NY State Police, NJ DMV). Because these two boats posed immediate safety concerns (pieces of one were found during the Spring Fling Clean Up) they were able to be removed by the City however at a cost of approximately $15k. The City is moving forward to extract the remaining four sunken boats. But as I mention in an interview with NBC yesterday, we need to stop boats from being abandoned BEFORE they pose future safety hazards and burden Hoboken taxpayers. And before six boats turns into sixty. There is not a clear path for this, but in speaking with Chief Crimmins and Director Sharp yesterday, there may be a way given Hoboken actually owns the land under the majority of the Weehawken Cove. More to come on this…
A FEW OTHER UPCOMING AND NOTEWORTHY?
- Summer Jobs for 14-17 year olds - The City is looking for high school students ages 14-17 for its Summer Green Jobs.
- May 16th , 9am St. Matthews 57 8th St. – Tenants Know Your Rights Workshop hosted by the Waterfront Project.
- May 17th , All day (south waterfront) – Propelify Innovation Festival which helps “turn ideas into action”. This internationally recognized festival attracts 10K+ attendees and was founded by Hoboken’s own Aaron Price. There will be 80+ speakers this year including top innovating leaders from companies such as Google, Samsung and GE to Plated and Rent the Runway. Governor Murphy and Senator Booker will also be speaking at the event.
- May 17th, 7pm Public Library - Free Workshop on Education Grants, Scholarships and Financial Aid. Anyone thinking about the costs of education from college down to kindergarten might want to attend. It is put on by 2nd Ward resident Beau Kuhn. The last time I promoted this, some of my neighbors with pre-college teens went and they raved about it, said it was eye opening and walked away more knowledgeable. So here it is again...
- May 17th, 830pm-1030pm Propelify Fireworks Night Ride with Bike Hoboken. Meet at 9th and Grand for the first night ride of the season that will coincide with Propelify’s Fireworks. Click their FB event to learn more.
As always, please feel free to email me or call me at 201/208-1674 if you have any questions of comments or want to discuss this or anything else. I am behind in responding to some of you but will be working on that today / tomorrow. Have a great week!
TiffanieFisher
Hoboken City Council, 2nd Ward
Engage. Inform. Advocate.
“More Voices are Better”
PS… thank you to the 57 people who responded to my last email! For the 52 of you who responded about your views on the PINK DUCK– 47 were in favor (whimsical, humorous, light hearted, summertime) and 5 were against...
PSS – Thank you to everyone who supported me on my 40 Mile Bike Ride for World Wide Orphans on Sunday – whether financially or with your comments on social media and emails. It was a beautiful day, the 1 mile hill up the Verazanno at the end was less daunting than I remembered, and our team of riders raised almost $100,000 which is amazing. It takes a village!
