A local developer recently agreed with the city to donate $1 million to the newly founded Affordable Housing and Community Facilities Fund.
Wednesday, the URSA Development Group, a Hoboken-based company, presented the city with a $70,000 check to install new lighting at the city’s Little League field at the corner of Fifth Street and River Terrace. According to Mayor David Roberts, this payment is the first in a series of payments from URSA that will go toward open space and recreational facilities as part of the city’s Northwest Redevelopment Plan.
In 1999, a blighted area in northwest Hoboken was designated by the City Council as a redevelopment zone. Redevelopment is a technical zoning term that applies to an area within the municipality that, for one or more reasons, is not being used to its full potential.
The governing body of the municipality is the entity charged with the responsibility of assessing the conditions of an area to determine if it should be tabbed for redevelopment. Then, they draw up new zoning plans for the area and request proposals from developers.
Michael Sciarra and Mark Settembre, principals in URSA Development, have recently received approvals by the Hoboken Planning Board for the projects located in the Northwest Redevelopment Zone. They intend to construct approximately 436 housing units on a two and a half block site. The project is located at 12th and 13th streets, between Clinton and Adams streets.
“We have been a part of this community for years, and we intend to be an important part of the city’s future,” said Sciarra and Settembre in a joint statement Wednesday.
Often, part of the redevelopment process includes agreements where the developer negotiates to establish funds for affordable housing, open space projects, or other projects that benefit the community. In this case, a $1 million contribution will be used to improve other existing parks and recreational facilities and assist in the acquisition of open space. Using the money to replace the lights at the Little League field is the first of such projects.
“I’m delighted that we have reached a generous agreement that will benefit our community as a whole,” said Roberts Wednesday. “From youngsters to seniors, this fund will have a far-reaching impact to improve recreational opportunities for Hoboken residents, now and in the future.”
Roberts added that redevelopment plans are an excellent opportunity to use new development to improve the community. “The Affordable Housing and Community Facilities Fund is a prime example of the city working with developers to provide resources to increase and improve open space and recreational facilities,” Roberts said. “These developers and the city are rolling up their sleeves and are making a real commitment to improving our community.”
Enlightened
According to Anthony Cardino, the president of the Hoboken Little League, workers can begin to install the lights when the snow melts. They will take approximately four weeks to install. “The old lights are nearly 20 years old,” said Cardino. “These funds will allow us to greatly upgrade our facility, something that was really needed.”
According to Cardino, the Hoboken Little League, Babe Ruth Girls’ Softball, a youth soccer league and a women’s softball league currently share the field.