Every day, hundreds of people visit the concrete island outside the post office in Union City between 32nd and 31st streets to wait for a bus or minivan to take them into New York City, Journal Square or Exchange Place. However, it wasn’t until Department of Public Works Commissioner Tina Yandolino visited Chicago that she came up with an idea to add landscaping to that area.
"It was so attractive," said Yandolino about the colorfully landscaped island that greeted her when she entered Chicago. "We decided to pursue plans for something like it in Union City."
Preliminary plans for the project, which include resurfacing of the concrete, trash receptacles, benches and landscaping, are estimated to cost about $56,000. The city is currently looking for funding of the project.
In the mean time, DPW employees installed trees and planters on the island last week that were provided by a Community Development Agency grant that is used to fund the city’s Tree Planting Program.
"It is the first thing you see when you come into the city," said Director of the Department of Public Works Sergio Panunzio, who said that benches will be installed on the island within the next few weeks. "We are going to dress up the area."
On hold
Although the island is in Union City, Yandolino said that the island really isn’t under the city’s jurisdiction. The island, which sits on a bridge near the Route 495 approach to the Lincoln Tunnel, is located on county roads.
Because of the island’s location, the city had to seek the approval of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the state Department of Transportation, and Hudson County.
According to Yandolino, initial plans for the landscaping project were approved by all agencies; however, the city is now looking for funding of the project.
Panunzio said that he is continuing dialogue with state and county agencies to find funding for the project.
Union City Mayor Brian Stack, also a Hudson County freeholder, said that he is trying to secure funding from the county for this project.
"This is part of our quality of life program in the city," said Stack.
Initial plans for the landscaping project also include a city clock on the island. However, since the island is part of a bridge, the city has to consider the amount of weight that the bridge can hold.
"We have to be very careful because there is a weight factor," said Yandolino. "Right now we are just looking to concentrate on the plantings."
The city’s Urban Enterprise Zone is also looking to landscape other areas of 32nd Street. According to Yandolino, whose department also oversees the UEZ, the UEZ is looking to put planters and flowers on the four corners of 32nd Street at the Bergenline Avenue intersection.
"This is just to beautify the area," said Yandolino. "We are trying to make a more attractive shopping district."