City To Launch Arts Campaign

Standing in the lobby of the W Hotel on Thursday afternoon, Mayor Dawn Zimmer announced a plan to promote the arts in Hoboken.

"The arts," Zimmer said, "is what makes Hoboken a very special place."

The mayor said she wants to promote the arts, partner with the arts program at Hoboken High School by hosting an art competition for students and designate the Neumann Leather building on Observer Highway as "an area in need of rehabilitation." That will be added to the agenda of Wednesday night's council meeting, Zimmer said.

Director of Health and Human Services Leo Pellegrini, Director of Community Development Brandy Forbes and Director of Cultural Affairs Geri Fallo were also present on Thursday.

Tom Newman, one of the renters in the building, was present at the press conference. "The tenants are ready to work with the city in any way possible," he told the mayor. Artists rent space in the historical downtown building.

In a follow up press release, the mayor announced: "In addition, an interim cost agreement for the analysis of a proposal for a Hoboken Arts Center on the western side of the City will also be presented to the City Council. The agreement would require the proposed redeveloper (Water Music) to pay for the City's costs associated with reviewing the redevelopment proposal, it’s financial feasibility, and its impact on the community."

The City is also launching a “Hoboken for the Arts” campaign to promote the arts through the City website, Zimmer announced.

Zimmer also talked about another bastion in Hoboken's arts community, the Monroe Center, which is currently in bankruptcy proceedings. "The priority should be the preservation of the artists at affordable rents," Zimmer said in the press release.

Correction appended: a previous version of this story misspelled Tom Newman's name.