The owners and senior management team of Dil Hoda and Gerard Saddel Jr., as well as the tenants of the Monroe Center for the Arts, held a ceremony Wednesday to thank Mayor David Roberts for his support of their mixed-use development.
Located at 720 Monroe St., the developers have been approved to build 435 new housing units, of which 18 will be affordable live/work lofts spaces for local artists and 26 more will be affordable units. The site will be only steps away from the Ninth Street light rail stop, slated to open next year.
Because of its large size and density, the project drew several critics, but throughout the entire approval process, Roberts lobbied and voiced his approval. At the time, he said it was a good project because it supports an often-neglected portion of the community: the artist.
"I’m in full support of the Monroe Center and its redevelopment," said Roberts Thursday. "One of the fun parts about being mayor is being able to support good projects, and this is a good project."
At the ceremony, Roberts was presented with a banner that was painted by art students who take classes at the center, and a cake designed by the Cake Diva, a well-known cake designer who works out of the Monroe Arts Center.
Roberts also announced his intention to lobby for an artist district in the new master plan. The master plan is scheduled to come out toward the end of next year or the beginning of 2004. A master plan is a document that guides the growth, redevelopment, and enhancement of a community.
"I will be an advocate for a new art’s district in the new master plan," said Roberts.
Hoda said Wednesday he appreciates the mayor’s support. "Mayor Roberts has always been consistent and extremely supportive of the arts community," said Hoda.
According the Hoda, there are currently about 100 artists and small companies that occupy the Monroe Center for the Arts, otherwise known as the old Levelor building.
Hoda’s project calls for the renovation and restoration of the old industrial buildings. The eclectic mix of artisans who now reside there includes sculptors, furniture makers, toy designers, flower arrangers, painters, graphic artists, and surviving Internet companies.
The new six-acre artist-friendly community will be called Village West, and the approved plan calls for four tall towers and several smaller buildings. The board approved Thursday two 13-story towers, and a 10-story and a 12-story tower.
All told, the buildings will include 37,500 square feet of new office space in addition to the 120,500 square feet of existing office space, 125,950 square feet of retail space, over 1,000 parking spaces, one and a quarter acres (78,000 square feet) of public open space, and a privately owned road that will be open to the public.
Also on hand to support the project was Bill LaRosa, director of cultural affairs for Hudson County.
"[Projects like this one] are important to our lives," said LaRosa. "They provide us with a lot a family values."
City Council President Ruben Ramos agreed that its important to support the arts community. "The art community played a big role in the revitalization of Hoboken in the ’70s," said Ramos. "They helped us through those hard times and have earned our support."