Residents Discuss Downtown Development

Hoboken residents got a chance to weigh in on a proposed development on Tuesday night, during the about the down town NJ Transit property.

NJ Transit—which owns a total of 52 acres in down town Hoboken— to introduce the. The first phase centers on Hudson Place and the Hoboken terminal. NJ Transit has proposed to build one big office building at the site, for which a potential renter has been located.

First, however, the city has to complete its redevelopment process and agree on the plan at that site. 

Althought the plans for the first phase of the project—the nearly 2 acres at Hudson Place—have been introduced, NJ Transit representative John Leon said the company doesn't have any plans yet for the remaining 50 acres. An older plan from a couple of years ago, included several very tall buildings.

That plan, Mayor Dawn Zimmer said, would "crush" the First and Fourth Wards. "It has never been pulled back," she said also. Zimmer added that she wants any development to be sustainable and to "meet the needs of the community."

Zimmer said she would either like to enter into an interlocal agreement with NJ Transit or develop the entire 52 acre property at the same time. There has been no movement on the interlocal agreement, which was first mentioned during the NJ Transit meeting in December, which was held in the Hoboken Terminal's waiting area.

Zimmer said she wants the city to have the ultimate authority over the plan.

Since December, the city has hired planning firm Wallace Roberts & Todd to help develop the plan. Nando Micale, one of the principals at the planning firm, was on hand on Tuesday night to answer questions.

Zimmer said also she wants the plan to fit in with the city's character.

NJ Transit's Leon said that the plan can only go forward if there is a tenant—or multiple tenants—in place that will occupy the proposed building. He added that a potential tenant (an international company) has been identified, but its name has not been made public.

The ideas that were proposed on post-its on Tuesday night, are supposed to build on the plans that were drawn by NJ Transit. Residents sat in three different break out groups on Tuesday night, discussing the plan and placing yellow notes on the drawings. 

There will be another community meeting later in the summer, Zimmer said, when a revised plan—based on Tuesday's recommendations—will be presented to the residents. Leon said that NJ Transit hopes to move forward with Phase 1 of the plan in the Fall. After breaking ground, he said, it should take 18 months to complete construction.

Meanwhile, residents worried about the aesthetics of the plan as well as issues, such as parking and flooding.

"I care about design," said resident Peta Moran. She added that she wants to see a building that will make people say, "Wow, that's Hoboken."

The new development is supposed to bring jobs and economic stimulus to Hoboken, said Leon.

Local Hobokenite Greg Haines said he hopes the proposed development will create jobs for residents.

"I'm a construction worker," he said. "Getting people to work, that should be an issue."