Under a thick layer of dust, dirt and disuse lies one of Hoboken’s last hidden treasures – the Hoboken Ferry Terminal. With its high vaulting ceilings, tarnished copper façade and authentic turn-of-the-century Tiffany stained glass windows, the abandoned ferry terminal is only a shell of original incarnation; a bustling transportation focal point where 30,000 daily commuters hopped a ferry into Manhattan.
On Monday, the New York/New Jersey Port Authority’s executive director, Joseph Seymour, and NJ Transit Executive Director George Warrington signed an agreement that will lead to the restoration of the historic Hoboken Terminal ferry slips and supporting infrastructure, at an expected cost of approximately $125 million.
According to officials from NJ Transit, the terminal and its ferry slips were originally built in 1907 by the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad. During the early part of the last century, ferry service was the primary form of transportation for people traveling to and from Manhattan. With the construction of the George Washington Bridge and Lincoln and Holland tunnels, the use of ferries began to decline; in 1967, the Hoboken Terminal slips were closed. In 1989, New York Waterway resumed ferry service from Hoboken Terminal utilizing a temporary ferry facility.
The renovations are scheduled to include reconstructing a portion of the building’s substructure and superstructure, constructing a ferry service ticket office, restoring the building’s roof and Tiffany skylights, refurbishing the terminal’s old clock tower, restoring the copper fascia on the exterior of the building and waterproofing, insulating the exterior walls near the ferry slips, restoring the interior finishes of the ferry terminal area, and performing utility and marine work to support the new ferry operation.
There would be a sizable retail component in the renovated space, according to Mayor David Roberts. He said that he would like to see a permanent farmers’ market, restaurants, and dozens of new retail stores. “This is an incredible moment in our city’s history,” said Roberts Wednesday, “a renaissance of sorts for Hoboken.”
He added that having a renovated ferry terminal with a retail component will inevitably attract positive attention. “When it’s finished, Hoboken will further cement itself as one of the largest and best transportation hubs in the entire region,” he said.
As part of its agreement with NJ Transit, the Port Authority will provide up to $8 million to pay for the design work for the restoration of six ferry slips in the terminal, as well as supporting infrastructure required to reactivate ferry service. The preliminary design work is ongoing and is scheduled to be completed in June 2003.
The Port Authority will provide an additional $44 million from its capital program as the initial financing for the project, and the Federal Transit Administration will contribute an additional $27 million, which will permit initial phases to begin while additional funds are secured.
The agreement also calls for the two agencies to finalize a long-term lease for the Port Authority’s use of the Hoboken Terminal ferry slips, which are owned by NJ Transit.
There are already ferries at the terminal, which are run by the Weehawken-based NY Waterway company, but they use temporary floating docks.
Ferries now more important
With PATH service disrupted to lower Manhattan, regional dependence on ferry travel has increased dramatically. Before 9/11, according to NY Waterway officials, only about 36,000 daily trips were taken on area ferries. That number has now almost doubled to 70,000 trips per day.
“The PATH system has always been a critical cog in the region’s transportation network,” said Port Authority Deputy Executive Director Michael DeCotiis Monday. “When PATH service between New Jersey and Lower Manhattan was lost, the Port Authority moved quickly and decisively to provide immediate relief for thousands of people left with limited commuting options.”
In a statement Monday, Gov. James McGreevey said that water travel is a vital component in the state’s overall mass transit plans. “Interstate ferry service has been a lifeline for New Jersey commuters since September 11, 2001, providing them with a critical transportation option to get to and from Manhattan after PATH service to Lower Manhattan was lost,” said McGreevey in a statement Monday. “Today’s agreement is critical to our ability to provide the infrastructure we need to meet the growing demand for ferry service. I strongly believe that ferry service is a key transportation option we need to relieve congestion on our highways, tunnels, bridges and public transportation systems.”
Port Authority Chairman Jack G. Sinagra said Monday that the $125 million investment shows the Port Authority’s commitment to ferry transportation. “The money earmarked by the Port Authority for Hoboken Terminal continues our substantial investments to help upgrade ferry infrastructure and fuel the resurgence of water transportation in the region,” said Sinagra. “As a result of our collaboration with NJ Transit, we will provide employees and residents of New Jersey with a fast and convenient transportation option.”
NJ Transit Executive Director Warrington said Monday that the improvements are just part of the agency’s long term plans. “Restoration of the ferry slips at Hoboken Terminal is one of the state’s long-range strategic plans to increase trans-Hudson capacity and enhance travel options while supporting the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan,” said Warrington. “Thanks to the support of the Port Authority, thousands of NJ Transit rail, light rail and bus customers will be able to take advantage of this expanded ferry operation.”
Port Authority Executive Director Joseph Seymour said Monday that the renovation will substantially strengthen the region’s transportation options.
“The Port Authority has worked aggressively to bolster the region’s ferry network, particularly during the past 18 months,” he said. “Today, ferries handle nearly 70,000 passenger trips a day to and from Manhattan, and we expect commuters to continue to use the service as they realize the substantial benefits this form of transportation provides.”
Currently, according to NJ Transit, the Hoboken Terminal is served by more than 280 daily NJ Transit trains, 546 daily PATH trains, 394 daily Hudson-Bergen Light Rail trains and more than 300 daily NJ Transit buses in addition to other private bus carriers serving Hudson County.