Housing Authority Hires Developer for First Phase of Vision 20/20

The Hoboken Housing Authority took a significant step in the process of Vision 20/20, a massive overhaul of the area which is supposed to take place in the coming years.

The first phase of the plan includes 44 units of low-income housing at 333 Harrison St. This is the first step to bringing the authority’s rapidly deteriorating housing stock up to par with the rest of the city.

On Thursday night, during its monthly board meeting, the commissioners voted 5-1 to hire Montclair firm RPM Developers. Commissioner Judy Burrell was absent. Commissioners Jake Stuiver — who is the chairman and who attended the meeting by phone.

Before any construction can start, the HHA first has to apply for funding and present the plans to — and receive approval from — the Zoning Board of Adjustment. 

At a presentation of the plan in July 2012, Architect Dean Marchetto, of the firm Marchetto, Higgins, Stieve, said that the goal of Vision 20/20, is to have the housing authority blend in with the rest of Hoboken. 

“(The buildings) cannot meet the current safety codes,” Marchetto said then.   Moreover, the current buildings “can never be brought up to code.”  

Correction: an earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the vote count.