HOBOKEN — Over the last few years, the New York-based Rockefeller development group has been buying up parcels in uptown Hoboken near the Weehawken border, including some older businesses and some vacant land (see our articles from last year about this). But they haven’t been too specific with their development plans.
They still aren’t being all that specific, but sources have leaked some information. Today, a story at NJ.com says, “the company that built New York’s famed Rockefeller Center says it is putting the finishing touches on plans to construct a skyline-altering project in Hoboken’s industrial northern end….[sources] say the development is likely to have a number of buildings, including a tower up to 40 stories tall — which would become the city’s tallest building.”
The project would not include residential development, just commercial.
But is it going to get approval in mile-square Hoboken, where residents have become wary of too much development?
Back in February of 2009, in response to Rockefeller’s plans, the City Council approved a redevelopment study to see if the area should be rezoned.
Rockefeller said this week that they have been in discussions with Hoboken officials for two years, but Mayor Dawn Zimmer denied this in Monday’s newspaper report.
In fact, in April of 2009, Zimmer and town activists held a public meeting with residents to toss around ideas for how that 19-block area might be developed.
“Development should begin with what the community wants, not what developers want,” said the announcement of that hearing on our site last year.
In addition, 2nd Ward councilwoman Beth Mason, who is sometimes at odds with Zimmer, hired planners to come up with her own concept, which included a minor league baseball stadium in that area.
For more on this story, watch this space for updates later, or click the links below for prior reporting.