HOBOKEN — The transfer of title of a 1-acre parking lot known as Block 12 to the city of Hoboken was completed on Tuesday, paving the way for the construction of a brand new public park in the city’s Southwest section. The park will be the first of its kind in that section of town, and Mayor Dawn Zimmer has said it will serve as the first step toward a larger park in the neighborhood.
“I fought for a long time for a Southwest Park, and I’m excited to announce that we now own an acre of property for the first part of a larger park that we will expand through the redevelopment process,” said Zimmer in a statement yesterday.
The park will be paid for via a $3 million open space grant courtesy of the county. In her statement, Zimmer thanked the Board of Chosen Freeholders, County Executive Tom DeGise, and Hoboken Freeholder Anthony Romano.
The park has been an election season victory for the incumbent mayor, who is up for reelection on Nov. 5 and is challenged by state Assemblyman Ruben Ramos and Fourth Ward Councilman Tim Occhipinti. In August, on the day that a judge ruled in favor of the city’s application to purchase the property at a reduced rate, $2.937 million, was also the day Zimmer kicked off her campaign.
Hoboken also received a $500,000 grant to incorporate anti-flooding technology into the park’s construction, including underground water detention systems.
According to a release from the city, Starr Whitehouse, a landscape architecture firm with expertise in green design and stormwater management, has been hired to lead the planning process. The city also said it will hold community meetings to educate the public and gauge what most Hobokenites want in this park. Additionally, there is an online survey residents can take in order to give their input. – Dean DeChiaro
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