So tonight at 11:06pm it will officially be spring. I, for one, am not impressed with the 41 degrees it will be at that time. I am ready for sunshine, flowers and to put away my winter boots.
So much going on that this newsletter will be in two parts. This one is the “light”, but still informative stuff. The next will be the heavier issues. In this newsletter:
- Mayor Bhalla State of the City – Tonight
- News About 2nd Ward Businesses
- Food Delivery E Bike Legislation
- Mark Your Calendar – 2nd Ward CAPS Meeting
- Cove Walkway Project – When Will It End?
- Harry Potter – It’s Finally Happening
- Hoboken Shelter’s Annual 80’s Party and Fundraiser
- Stop Sign Requests
- Hoboken Literary Weekend
- Main Street Pops Market
- Engage Inform Advocate - You Ask / I Ask
Let’s do this…
MAYOR BHALLA STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS – TONIGHT!
Mayor Bhalla will give his 5th State of the City address tonight at Mile Square Theatre at 7pm. If you do not attend in person (I believe it is sold out), you can watch it through the City’s social media channels: Facebook and YouTube.
As Mayor Bhalla is running for congress, I would expect his speech to have a campaign feel, heavily weighted toward his resiliency and Vision Zero efforts and possibly addressing more national issues he would face as a congressman, if elected. And, don’t at all get me wrong, I am not criticizing that. If I were in his shoes, I would probably do the same. But I hope he provides insight into what he is and will be doing to address the many quality of life concerns that he doesn’t typically talk about, but that I hear about from residents everyday – like the recent increase in crimes, pedestrian / sidewalk safety, rats and supporting our local schools. There is clearly a lot he can cover so I hope you tune in to watch!
REBUILD BY DESIGN – COMMUNITY MEETING FOLLOW UP
As you know, two weeks ago I hosted along with Hoboken's Director of Resliency, Caleb Stratton, our "Let's Get Re-Acquainted with the Rebuild By Design and New Harborside Park project", where we focused on the Northern section that runs through the 2nd Ward. It was well received and I was happy to hear from residents less familiar with the project, that they now at least have a better idea of what the project is, and what is happening. Unfortunately, out of the thousands of neighbors who live close to the project, only about 60 were there that night - which is still a HUGE turnout - so one of the key takeaways is we need to do better with communication and reaching those most effected during construction.
I sound like a broken record, but IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY SIGNED UP FOR THE PROJECT UPDATES FROM THE DEP PLEASE DO HERE. I PROMISE IT WILL MAKE YOUR LIFE BETTER!
According to today's project update, the following is going to happen over the next two weeks in the 2nd Ward:
Excavation, Mobilization of Equipment and Pile Testing in Harborside Park.
The latter will be just a few piles driven, for 30 min each. BUT... and this is a BIG... this is in preparation for what will be a month of full on, 9-5 pile driving for the entire month of April. So if you live nearby, make your plans now to by silencing headphones, work in the office, or stay with friends / family outside the area that week!
Here are some key information updates and follow ups from our meeting.
- Meetings to be set with the surrounding condo boards and management companies to make sure they are informed including establishing a neighborhood stakeholder group.
- Further discussion on the color and materials to be used for the above ground / urban landscaped features – people raised concerns not only with the goldfinch color itself, but also the strength of the materials and ability to uphold its color and resist scratching. Also what will be invovled to maintain the materials.
- Review the 4-5 properties citywide with DEP that were deemend at the time to have a di minimus (as in 1/4") increase in flood risk and determine what is needed to address this.
- There will be at least the same, if not more trees, to be planted than the ones that will be removed. As we get closer we can discuss the locations of these trees - as people raised concerns about making sure we would have shade in the park.
Not discussed at the meeting, but has been a question is if and how any of Harborside Park will be made available during construction. I confirmed today that the SW corner of the park - the current dog area - will soon be re-seeded and for the foreseeable future will be converted back to being available for humans only to use - so no more dog park. I know this is a disappointment to many who bring their dogs there. But please know that the plans for the new park include a new dog area close to 16th street. Also, to those humans who want to use the new dog free grass area, including students from the surrounding schools, at some point this section will close entirely as well to complete the park.
I will continue to provide updates on this project as I get them, but don't hesitate to reach out any time with questions - 201-208-1674.
NEWS ABOUT 2ND WARD BUSINESSES
The 2nd Ward Business Scene is hot!
- Urban Market – Washington between 14th & 15th: Long awaited, but “Coming Soon” signs were put up yesterday! Work has been underway for weeks, and if you peek in the windows you can see the progress they are making. Although I had originally heard late spring for opening, I heard yesterday it was more likely to be a summer opening. Can’t wait!
- Paris Baguette base of 1000 Maxwell Lane (corner of Hudson/11th/Sinatra): Work has been happening at this retail space for a while. The Hoboken Girl reported that Paris Baguette is who is coming to this location and should be open by summer. I wasn’t as familiar with them, but their website suggests they are a neighborhood bakery that also serves lunch including non baked food items like salads (for people like me who are GF). I am excited to see this type of business come to this location – so close to the waterfront and Elysian Park and amidst such a densely populated neighborhood, an area underserved by food establishments.
photo: The Hoboken Girl
- Former City of Saints – 14th & Bloomfield – Many in the neighborhood were said to see City of Saints close in February. But I heard yesterday that a new coffee place will be opening in this location soon. As soon as I have more details I will share! But it will be good to have coffee back in this location.
- Toastique – 15th & Washington. This Thursday, Toastique is donating 10% of all sales on Thursday, March 21 from 7am to 5pm to StevensTHON to improve the lives of children. StevensTHON is a student-run philanthropic movement at Stevens Institute that raises money for the Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ, our local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. CSH is the largest pediatric rehabilitation center in the United States, serving children with brain and spine injuries, autism and associated disorders, premature birth, and life-changing illnesses.
- The Shepherd & the Knucklehead – 1313 Willow Ave: Join me for a fun night out on March 25th to support a local business and a great non-profit! The Hoboken Community Center is teaming up with The Shepherd & The Knucklehead for a trivia night fundraiser! Test your knowledge for a good cause to commemorate the Pantry-versary. March 25th marks four years since the inception of the HCC's pantry program! I remember it well. Your $25 ticket includes your first drink and all proceeds from ticket sales will directly benefit the HCC's initiatives. Click for tickets! Arrival is 7:30PM, with Trivia beginning promptly at 8PM!
FOOD DELIVERY E BIKE LEGISLATION
At the City Council meeting Tuesday night, the City Council will be having a public hearing and voting on the “Tests & Vests” Food Delivery E-Bike Ordinance. As I described in my February 21st Newsletter, the legislation proposed by my colleague 1st Ward CM Paul Presinzano and co-sponsored by CM Ramos & Russo, proposed a straightforward yet impactful solution: Implementing measures that require food delivery riders on non-registered motorized vehicles (e.g., E-bikes & EScooters) to:
- Wear a fluorescent vest with a visible identification number.
- Take a brief test on local and state laws applicable to safe street riding, following the review of an information sheet detailing these laws.
- Pay a nominal $5 fee to receive a license to deliver in Hoboken.
The idea was to make this safety improvement program as accessible as possible to all food delivery personnel while NOT obstructing an important service valued by Hoboken residents and local restaurants. Because this is a real quality of life concern experienced by so many, I am not surprised that the support for approving this has been overwhelmingly positive. After the first survey One Question Survey got spammed and I started a new One Question Survey that protected against this, I received 223 responses (which is a lot given their was little promotion of the 2nd survey) and these are the results:
The ordinance had 6 votes on introduction (Quintero, Cohen and Doyle voted 'no') but now Councilwoman Jabbour hinted in her newsletter yesterday that she will not vote yes on 2nd reading but would rather delay and have an “ongoing discussion of the working group focus on how the delivery app companies, who have REAL leverage, can support our safety goals and implement policies that will result in holistic, region-wide changes…”. As the results of the survey suggest, 76% want us to more safely walk and chew gum at the same time – make a difference immediately given the safety issues, and perfect it over time. Not letting perfect get in the way of good. 12% want to take the slower approach that CW Jabbour suggests.
As I said in my 2/21 newsletter, IMHO politics is at play as evidenced by the line-up of Team Bhalla “no” votes. The legislation will pass with 5 votes, but we need the mayor to NOT veto it (6 votes needed to block his veto), so please email him quickly and ask him to support, not veto, the Tests & Vests legislation so our sidewalks and streets can be safer.
Of note Jersey City is also considering a Food Delivery E Bike ordinance, but their current approach is different – instead of holding riders of the E Bikes responsible for their own unsafe riding practices, they want to hold the delivery services accountable – tech companies that are based far away from Hoboken and operate in a zillion cities. It would be like Waze having to bear responsibility for drivers following the speed limit. JC's ordinance also puts in place pricing regulations and includes some worker protection language. Although I am conceptually not opposed to either, regulating business operations seems more like a local government overreach to me and is better placed at the state level.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR – 2ND WARD CAPS MEETING
The Community and Public Safety program is coming to the 2nd Ward on March 10th at 6pm!!! We are still confirming a location but please hold the date. This is what we formerly referred to as Coffee with a Cop, only now its rebranded as CAPS and includes representatives of all of our public safety teams including Police, Fire, Ambulance, and Emergency Management. So start making a list and come to ask your questions! This is one of my favorite events and I am thrilled to welcome the next one to the 2nd Ward.
COVE WALKWAY PROJECT – WHEN WILL IT END?
The project that is in process to fully restore the northern waterfront walkway between 1500 Washington and 1500 Garden should be completed by early April, just in time for warm weather, according to an email I received from the management of my building. Although the walkway has a public easement on it, the six buildings on 15th street that made up the original Hudson Tea Buildings planned development are responsible for its maintenance. This is an approximate $1M project paid for by the condo owners in these buildings (me included) undertaken to ensure the safety for everyone who uses the walkway. I appreciate the Hoboken Cove Association (the entity that oversees the management of the walkway) and Taylor Management’s (the HTB buildings' manager) attention to making sure this important public safety project is completed.
HARRY POTTER – ITS FINALLY HAPPENING!
Not sure if you remember last year when I was oohing and ahhing over the announcement that Hoboken High Schools award wining drama program was selected to be the first to put on a production of the broadway hit Harry Potter and the Cursed Child… But I am once again doing so because it is finally happening! Five performances:
- May 15th and 16th – 5:00PM
- May 17th – 7:00 PM
- May 18th & 19th – 2:00 PM
Reserve now for this incredible show because I am 100% certain it will sell out! Tickets are $10-15 and I just booked 4 for Sunday. There is already limited availability for the weekend shows! Click for tickets: Online Box Office (booktix.net). There are no bad seats in the HHS auditorium.
If you are a fan of theatre and have not yet been to a HHS production, then you need to. The theatre program, run by Danielle Miller, puts on two shows a year that are Broadway caliber. You don’t have to cross the Hudson (just Willow Ave for my 2nd Ward neighbors). And the ticket prices are a fraction of a Broadway show ticket. BEST. DEAL. IN. NJ. The spring production, like this one, is typically a district wide show which means kids from all grades are in the show making it even more special.
HOBOKEN SHELTER’S ANNUAL 80’S PARTY AND FUNDRAISER
Another big, fun night of the year is the annual 80’s Dance Party and Fundraiser for the Hoboken Homeless Shelter. This year it is April 12th and for the first time is uptown at the Kolo Klub on 15th and Grand! As always, guests will get the chance to step back into the funnest decade and dance like it's 1985 to a DJ playlist featuring the music of the era’s top stars. There will be free hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar to round out the dance party highlights. Guests are encouraged to throw on their favorite 80s outfit for the costume contest, which includes prizes such as tickets to the popular Liberty Science Center After Dark event.
You can buy individual tickets or become a sponsor (which includes tickets). To learn more and buy tickets click here: 80s Dance Party — Hoboken Homeless Shelter (hobokenshelter.org)
STOP SIGN REQUESTS
Hoboken’s HPU Director Ryan Sharp reached out recently to ask me if I had any specific requests for stop signs in the 2nd Ward. We have installed all way stops at most, but not all, 2nd Ward intersections where they can be (15th and Garden can’t have them). But we have a few that remain and based upon feedback from neighbors over the years, I submitted / resubmitted the following to Director Sharp
- 13th & Park on Park
- 13th & Bloomfield on Bloomfield and
- 12th & Garden on 12th.
For the first two, because of the slow timing of the lights on Washington, both Bloomfield and Park are used as north / south thruways and without stop signs at least every two blocks, people speed through these residential neighborhoods. And in particular, they speed up leading to 14th to try to catch the green lights so having a stop sign one block before would help dramatically. If there are others you want me to consider in the future, please let me know.
HOBOKEN LITERARY WEEKEND – APRIL 5TH TO 7TH
We are so lucky to have Little City Books not just for their incredible selection and service to our community, but also the amazing events they curate throughout the year. Their now Annual Literary Weekend is just a few weeks away and once again they have put together a great program of readings, panels, and comedy.
In case this isn’t enough of a draw, local Girl Scout troops will be selling cookies on Saturday and Sunday! 😊. Details and ticket links can be found at HobokenLiteraryWeekend.com and by signing up for the Little City Books newsletter. All events will be held at Little City Books and ticketed author events include signed books.
MAIN STREET POPS MARKET SEASON STARTS 3/24
Sing along…
¯Under the Viaduct, We'll be havin' some fun… Under the Viaduct, People walking above…Under the Viaduct, We'll be fallin' in love…Under the Viaduct… Viaduct ¯
The Main Street Pops Hoboken Artisan Market is back so mark you calendars! The markets offer a diverse selection of local artisans & small businesses selling their handmade creations and feature live, local music as well.
ENGAGE INFORM ADVOCATE - YOU ASK / I ASK
I have many conversations with residents everyday and I am often given suggestions or asked about changes that can be made, or that should be made. When these result in changes I try to share them in these newsletters. But sometimes the change hasn’t been made, but that doesn’t mean I am not advocating for it (notice the double negative). So here are just a few things that I have heard from you and that I continue to advocate for and will hope to see changes made in the future:
- A wall in a park for kids / adults to practice tennis, lacrosse etc. I raised in the discussions of Church Square Park and have discussed possibly doing something in Elysian or at the 7th and Jackson park.
- Lights around the basketball courts at Elysian Park to allow nighttime play, but not in a way that it is disturbing to surrounding residences.
- Reducing the significant garbage noise overnight on Shipyard Lane.
- Improved pedestrian safety features at 15th and Bloomfield.
- Indoor recreation space at new developments – for Pickleball and other sports and activities. I have raised this with several property owners and with the administration so that we can think more strategically about the use of our limited land.
- A natural park for the north end of the Monarch site.
- Repaving of 13th street - happening this summer/fall.
- Late night noise / nuisance in the 2nd Ward – recurring and continuing.
- More traffic enforcement across the ward.
- Synchronizing the lights on 15th and Park / Willow – calling Hudson County again.
- Fixing the sidewalk on the south side of 15th between Park and Willow to make it accessible. This is the responsibility of the owner – Rockefeller – and I have asked that they be issued a summons if they do not fix it.
- NEW – filling in the pebble beach area at the western side of Weehawken Cove which seems to be more of a cliff than a beach now. I am told this will either be part of RBD or the living shoreline project for the cove.
There are others, but I just wanted you to know that when you tell me something, it stays on my radar until it is resolved one way or the other.
One thing I had hoped to do in this newsletter was start a new, recurring feature that highlights successes within our schools – any and all of them. Unfortunately I ran out of time but I will try to get this going soon. More to come...
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]. Click to subscribe to my newsletter.
Tiffanie Fisher
Hoboken City Council, 2nd Ward
Engage. Inform. Advocate.
“More Voices are Better”
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