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Still Unclear When Pier C Park Will Re-Open

The park needs to undergo renovations after Hurricane Sandy ravaged large parts.

The city is still in the process of evaluating whether or not Pier C Park will be open this spring, according to City Spokesman Juan Melli.

The opening of the park is further delayed, according to the city, because a $82,000 professional service contract wasn't approved by the city council on Wednesday night.

The city asked the council to approve the contract with Boswell Engineering for rehabilitation of Pier C Park after damage done due to Sandy, but the vote failed in 4-4 stalemate, with the mayor's opponents voting "no."

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Zimmer turned to Twitter on Thursday. "Through O&M fund city has the money to make repairs now but minority voted against it--Currently evaluating options," the mayor tweeted.

About an hour later she followed up, "it is in the budget and fully funded -- but need Council approval to move ahead w/repairs."

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Hurricane Sandy ravaged the park, causing large portions of Pier C to be in "disrepair," said Mayor Dawn Zimmer in a phone interview on Thursday.

While Third Ward Councilman Michael Russo — a vocal opponent of Zimmer — said he wants to find alternative funding sources for the renovations, Tim Occhipinti — the fourth ward councilman, who has been more outspoken than usual in his criticism of the administration — said he wants the city to hire a new city engineer first.

Zimmer, in turn, called the "no" vote obstructionist.

It's unclear when the repairs will be made, but Zimmer said it would be at least "several months."

Pier C has been fully functional for a little more than a year. Hoboken's youngest park opened partially in November 2010, before being completed in may 2012.


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