A few quick updates, so no need for a table of contents.
And I ran out of time so there are not many pictures in this newsletter...
REMINDER SKATE PARK PUBLIC MEETING TONIGHT
Where: Castle Point Skate Park (Sinatra South of Union Dry Dock)
When: Tuesday, September 17th @ 5pm
Come and share your ideas with the City’s skatepark design team from SCAPE Studios and Action Sports Design. I’ve heard from several of you in the community who are active users of the skate park, including many adults as well as kids. I hope you’ll join me at the meeting!
15TH STREET CLOSURE PROJECT UPDATE
First, a huge shout out to Hoboken’s Public Safety Department, along with the OEM and Police teams, for being on the ground monitoring the situation, gathering feedback, and responding quickly to address areas of greatest concern. Some of the adjustments we’ve already seen include moving signs to better locations, redeploying police to areas with higher traffic concerns, and the city reaching out to the county to discuss potential adjustments to the traffic light timing along 14th Street. It’s encouraging to see that people are becoming more aware of the closure and beginning to make alternate travel plans.
Feedback I’ve received from officers stationed at various intersections indicates that many of the Ubers, ride-share services, delivery vehicles, and out-of-town visitors seem most unaware of the closure—which, while expected, does add inefficiencies to traffic circulation. As one officer put it: “They only need to get stuck in this traffic once, realize it’s for three months, and they’ll avoid it in the future.”
A key issue that’s been observed—and I’ve heard from many of you as well—is the conflict between drivers and pedestrians at certain intersections. Cars have been stopping on crosswalks or in the middle of intersections (like Washington and 15th) and in some cases, disobeying traffic signals and running red lights (14th and Park). OEM and the Police Department will be reviewing these locations and deploying resources as necessary.
I’ve requested that the city create a safe pedestrian passage route, with the support of public safety, to steer pedestrians away from some of the more problematic intersections—at least for now. In the meantime, I recommend pedestrians avoid crossing at 14th and Willow and 14th and Park during peak traffic times. Instead, cross 14th at Garden or Bloomfield, and cross Willow at 12th or 13th. Please use extra caution, as you should at all times.
I’ve also heard from several neighbors about the lack of parking. I’ve asked and the city is looking to remove as many temporary “No Parking” signs on 13th Street as possible, wherever the water infrastructure project has been completed. Additionally, I’ve requested that the parking restrictions on Bloomfield between 14th and 15th be shortened to just the drop-off hours. Currently, the signs indicate restrictions from 7 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Friday, which many agree was probably a little overkill.
Please keep the feedback coming—this is a #MoreVoicesAreBetter situation. While we may not be able to address every recommendation, all are welcome. I’ve been out each day checking on things, but if you notice something I may have missed, let me know. I learn something new from every conversation. For instance, today, someone reached out about how pedestrian crossings at Park and Willow have become more hazardous with cars disobeying traffic rules. I hadn’t seen that firsthand, but I immediately forwarded it to the team.
We’re getting there—slowly but surely. Remember when they shut down the Pulaski Skyway, and everyone thought it would be Armageddon? It wasn’t at all. It’s only Day 2 of this closure, and I’m cautiously optimistic that things will settle in the coming days. Fingers crossed!
NYWW / UNION DRY DOCK SITE MINI UPDATE
If you live in or frequent the area, you’ve likely noticed some activity at the Union Dry Dock site. Here are a few key updates:
- The City has demolished the buildings closest to Sinatra Drive. This is part of preparations for the widening and beautification of Sinatra Drive, a project slated to begin in 2025, as well as Phase 1 of the Maritime Park project.
- New York Waterway (NYWW) has begun occupying the portion of the site they’ll be leasing for the next 3-5 years. In the coming weeks, you’ll notice site work beginning, including pile driving.
- NYWW has installed fencing around their portion to secure the site due to teens trespassing on parts of the site that aren’t stable. This includes razor wire at the end, near Maxwell Beach. Several residents raised concerns about the danger this poses to wildlife and kayakers. In response, NYWW quickly cut back the razor wire and will be installing a safer, less hazardous deterrent.
- Progress continues at NYWW’s future operations facility in Weehawken, where they will eventually relocate. Recently, Rep. Menendez announced $6.2 million in federal funding for the project, which he helped secure. You can read more about it here: Rep. Menendez touts $6.32M DOT grant for NY Waterway's Weehawken facility - Hudson County View.
THE DARN BARRICADES ON SINATRA AND NORTH SINATRA
Other than the immediate concerns around the 15th Street Closure, this is the top issue I am being asked about. What I know:
- Barricades by Shipyard Park – I am told that Applied / Ironstate are close to completing what were minor repairs to the piers in this area. Once completed they will provide a report to the city who will then release the barricades. We are hoping this is in the next couple of weeks.
- Barricades from Sinatra Field to Sinatra Dr. North – I want to start by saying that this project is a top priority for me and for the city. This is a much bigger repair and restoration project than the ones near Shipyard – the city has hired an engineer that is in process of designing the repairs. To give you an order of magnitude of the necessary repairs – the engineer’s contract alone is for almost $800,000. The expected cost of the project is in the millions and the city has already begun applying for grants to offset these costs. In response to the feedback and requests I have received from many, I have asked the city if they can find a way to widen the multi-use path in that area given the heavy use of that path by pedestrians, children, runners and cyclists and am told they are looking into doing so. I know that the city is working tirelessly to get this done ASAP.
- Barricades near Monarch – these may be here for a little longer. They are being incorporated into the engineering study for the Monarch site.
After checking in on the traffic around the 2nd ward on Thursday afternoon, I’ll be heading over to the Biergarten at 6:30 PM with some neighbors for a beer, amazing snacks, and to help write postcards for Pennsylvania with Uniting for Harris-Walz 2024. If you can’t make it, we are gladly accepting donations for the stamps! I know not everyone supports this ticket, but if you do, you're welcome to join us!
As always, please share this with everyone you know who may be interested and reach out any time on any issue important to you: 201-208-1764 or [email protected].
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