South Hoboken Waterfront Named a 'Great Place in New Jersey'

The south Hoboken waterfront was named one of five "Great Places in New Jersey" for 2013 by the New Jersey chapter of the American Planning Association.

The APA, a national community development non-profit that annually recognizes exemplary downtowns, streets, neighborhoods and public spaces, selected the south Hoboken waterfront as one of two "Great Public Spaces," in New Jersey. Cooper River Park in Camden County was the APA's other selection in the "public spaces" category.

“The City of Hoboken has shown great vision by realizing the enormous opportunity offered by its neglected waterfront properties in need of redevelopment," APA-NJ President Charles Latini, Jr. said in a statement.  “This former industrial seaport has been transformed into a remarkable public space with tremendous vitality and world-class skyline views.”

The Fund for a Better Waterfront, a group of resident leaders who successfully campaigned against a city-proposed 3.2-million square foot development on the south Hoboken waterfront in 1990, have spearheaded the transformation of the city's waterfront over the past two decades. Most of the group's suggestions for redevelopment of the waterfront were adopted by the city in 1995, according to Ron Hine, the organization's executive director.

The APA-NJ will recognize Mayor Dawn Zimmer and the Hoboken council for the city's achievement at next Thursday's city council meeting. 

Zimmer said she was "delighted" to accept the honor for the city.

“The waterfront is the treasure of our city and underscores why Hoboken is a great place to live, work, and visit," she said.

Members of the public are invited to attend a walking tour of the south Hoboken waterfront from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18. The tour begins at Pier A Park.