Dear Editor:
Stevens Institute of Technology has an important role to play in the City of Hoboken. Until recently many of us thought that this sometimes-aloof college, situated on its magnificent bluff overlooking the Hudson, was willing to work with the citizenry for the betterment of our mutual environment and quality of life. Over the years we had hoped that a college of higher learning would use its technical and research capabilities to help us deal with problems such as pollution and traffic congestion. Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case.
Stevens has presented to the Hoboken Planning Board a revised plan for parking spaces at the proposed Management and Technology building it has received approval to construct on River Street between 5th and 6th Streets. The revision involves an increase in parking spaces from 105 to 805 spaces with the entrance and exit on Sinatra Drive. An increase in parking spaces inevitably leads to an increase in the number of cars coming into the city. Can the area tolerate such an infusion in an area that will soon be tied up every morning and evening with hundreds of cars from Marine View Plaza as well as the new residential building at 4th and River, the office/hotel complex farther south on River Street and the Maxwell property?
All across the country colleges and universities are researching and implementing ways to reduce pollution and traffic congestion. Many have instituted jitney service from major transportation hubs such as the Erie Lackawanna terminal and PATH, to get their students and faculty to and from their campuses. Many universities have even constructed parking garages on the perimeter of cities, such as on the western or southern part of Hoboken or even northern Jersey City, with jitney service provided to the campuses. Why not Stevens?
Stevens does not exist in a vacuum but in a densely populated, heavily trafficked city called Hoboken where people’s health and quality of life need to be protected. Let’s hope that the members of the Hoboken Planning Board seek to lessen the number of spaces or turn this application down.
Quality of Life Coalition