Money from the federal government is headed toward Hoboken’s southern border, and before anything is done with it, Mayor Dawn Zimmer and city officials convened a meeting to hear how citizens would like to see it spent.
Around 20 community members and city officials gathered at the Multi-Service Center on Grand Street on July 19 to pitch ideas about how to fix the pedestrian-filled and congested traffic area of Newark Street between Washington and River streets.
The city recently found out that it’s getting $240,000 in federal funds, thanks in part to work by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), who resides in Hoboken.
Suggestions from residents included an information kiosk listing area restaurants, and a pedestrian mall.
The meeting was one of several hearings that Zimmer plans to hold to discuss the future of development in various parts of town.
Write down your suggestions
With maps of Newark Street on two tables and yellow Post-it Notes spread about, residents and community members were urged to write their suggestions down and stick them to the map. The event eventually morphed into a brainstorming session that focused on how to make Newark Street a safer place for pedestrians.
“We’re trying to change the way we do community development.” – Mayor Dawn Zimmer
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“We’re trying to change the way we do community development,” Zimmer said. “We want to have input from the community from the beginning.”
Parking Director Ian Sacs spoke briefly before allowing citizens to begin making suggestions.
“We all know what the problems here are,” Sacs said, referring to the busy Newark Street artery that leads residents from Hoboken toward Jersey City. “But we’re here hoping you can make recommendations and solutions and look for ideas that solve the problems.”
Making Newark Street a pedestrian mall
The issue at hand is heavy pedestrian volume, especially from the nearby PATH and NJ Transit and bus stations during commuter hours, which people says clashes with a busy traffic street.
“On Newark Street there are five no parking signs,” said Hany Ahmed. “The difference between the street and the sidewalk is very low. There is heavy foot traffic, and a car could jump the curb. I’d like to see some sort of barriers along the road to protect pedestrians.”
Restaurants line Newark Street, and since there are no cars parked along the curbs, Ahmed sees a lack of protection between the busy street and the pedestrians that fill the sidewalks. He said cars speed around the corner and have previously come right up onto the sidewalk. He fears that one day a car could jump the curb.
“I made recommendations about potentially converting Newark Street in between Washington and Hudson into a pedestrian walk,” said John Nastisi, a local architect. “The restaurants and cafés could bleed out into the street. Right now, it really is a quasi-pedestrian street with all of the commuter foot traffic.”
“This is a major hub with a lot of problems,” said Matt Ward of Jersey City. “It’s nice to be able to give my input. People are trying to get to Washington Street as quickly as possible. This leads to jaywalking. People are sacrificing safety for a quicker walk.”
Scott Siegel of Hoboken echoed the concerns of other residents.
‘I don’t want a skyscraper
“I’ve always wanted to make Hudson Place a pedestrian walk,” Siegel said. “Also, put a kiosk by the bus station that will let people know where museums, restaurants, and attractions are. I don’t want a 70-story skyscraper, and I don’t think a lot of people do either.”
Siegel was alluding to a controversial plan to develop the nearby NJ Transit yards, which may include one tower that is more than 70 stories tall. The plan has been temporarily stalled due to protests from local officials and citizens.
Siegel believes adding a kiosk in the area will enhance the experience for visitors to Hoboken and increase patronage to local restaurants.
Jay Boucher of Hoboken also favors the idea of creating a pedestrian walk.
“Some of the area should probably become a one-way,” Boucher said. “But also, I’d like a pedestrian walk on Newark Street between Hudson and Washington.”
Public input is crucial
Councilman-at-large Dave Mello believes that workshops to gather input in the initial stages of city projects are vital.
“Any time we have money to improve the flow of people and traffic, it’s important to hear people’s input,” Mello said. “You don’t want to do the project without public opinion, and it’s important to have it now, in the initial stages.”
Joseph Pomante of Boswell Engineering, which surveyed the area, attended the workshop.
“This is the first time we’ve had community involvement so early,” Pomante said of the city’s decision to hold a workshop before any major work has been done. “Normally we take a project, design it, and then bring it in.”
Though the community’s ideas may not be coming from professionals, Pomante saw the proposed suggestions as far from amateur.
“There are a lot of good, coherent ideas,” Pomante said. “Everybody gets their say, and who knows better than the people who live and work here?”
After the community session, Pomante took back the drawings along with the suggestions to create an updated design.
Another community involvement workshop will take place in the future.
“There will definitely be another public information session, and we’ll hopefully show the more refined suggestions from the community,” Sacs said. “We’ll be able to have a better idea as to what the final design will look like.”
City Communications Manager Juan Melli believes that the $240,000 will be sufficient enough to make significant changes on Newark Street.
“We can use this money and do a lot of great, creative and meaningful things,” Melli said.
According to Sacs, in the spring of 2011, the city will finalize the plans for Newark Street. Sacs is hopeful that by the late summer or early fall of 2011, the bid will go out for construction.
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