The Hoboken Zoning Board of Adjustments held another meeting last week concerning the future of the Neumann Leathers buildings, 14 structures in a triangular section of Observer Highway adjacent to Willow and Newark avenues.
The development team of Trammel Crow Residential (TCR) is seeking a number of zoning variances in order to demolish the existing buildings and build 251 residential units scaling five stories with a ground floor open-air plaza containing retail and office space. Their development would include three buildings, one of which would be set aside for artists.
TCR, the applicants in this hearing, are opposed by the Neumann Leathers Tenants Association, led by former City Councilman Tom Newman and local artist Tim Daly, who both work in one of the buildings. They say they are in favor of responsible development that preserves the factories.
TCR has contended that the site has chemical contamination that they could handle more easily if the site was cleared. Experts on both sides agree that thick oil and mercury are just two of the contaminants, and may be moving underground and spreading offsite. However, the tenants’ experts believe that the chemicals can be cleaned up without demolishing the building, although it would be harder and more costly.
The hearings should wrap up in the coming month or two, with the next hearing scheduled for Thursday, Mar. 5 in City Council chambers of City Hall.
Last week, experts for the tenants agreed with some of the findings of TCR’s experts, but questioned other findings. The tenants’ engineer said the buildings are structurally sound, as far as he can tell. In the past, TCR’s experts claimed the building was structurally unsound and in need of major repairs.
‘Think hybrid’
An alternate plan proposed by the Tenants’ Association looks at rehabbing the existing structures, conserving the over 200 jobs currently existing there, and creating a ground-level courtyard for public use with options for retail, dining, and other facilities.
This plan is not being considered by Zoning Board right now, but according to sources, TCR’s ownership of the site is contingent upon receiving the zoning variances they have requested.
If the variances are not granted by the Zoning Board, the current owners, R. Neumann Company, will keep the property. It is unknown whether the tenants’ plan would ever be considered.
Architect John Nastasi is a tenant of the building and has worked with NLTA leaders in designing the alternative plan.
Leaders of the tenants’ organization said they hope to pitch their plan to the City Council in the future, in an effort to encourage the council to take the lead in having this site put to its best use.
Timothy J. Carroll may be reached at tcarroll@hudsonreporter.com.