The cost for security cameras above and below the 14th Street Viaduct may be covered by a federal grant, according to the Hudson County Board of Freeholders. They voted at their Oct. 7 caucus to appropriate an additional $135,518, most of which will go to installing the cameras above and below the roadway connecting the western end of 14th Street in Hoboken to Union City and Jersey City Heights.
Officials said the wi-fi connected cameras will be accessible to the police departments from all three towns as well as the Hudson County Sheriff’s office.
The change order that was discussed and was scheduled for a vote at the freeholder regular meeting on Oct. 9 is part of an estimated $49 million project to upgrade the 106-year-old bridge.
“I think it is important that the Hoboken police have access.” – Freeholder Anthony Romano.
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The city of Hoboken hopes to use the space beneath the structure as a park-like area to help make up for the general lack of open space in the city. The security cameras, county officials claim, will provide security for people using that area as well as cut down on possible vandalism.
The project was funded by a grant from the Federal Local Lead program. Freeholder Bill O’Dea asked if the grant will cover the cost overruns.
“We won’t know until it is done and we submit the claim,” said County Engineer. Demetrio Arencibia. “In the past, they have.”
The cameras are similar to those that are currently being installed in county parks that will allow local police departments as well as county officials access to their transmissions.
According to Harold Demellier, director of the county Department of Roads and Public Properties, the recordings from the cameras will be kept for 30 days, allowing law enforcement and others to use them in the event of a crime or some other issue.
County Annex to be upgraded
The freeholders were expected to vote at the Oct. 9 meeting on a resolution awarding an $8.2 million contract to renovate the Hudson County Administration Building Annex on Pavonia Avenue in Jersey City.
The building, which the county leased until purchasing it in 2009, would receive technical upgrades as well as an expanded lobby area.
According to Hudson County Chief Architect Robert Yannazzo, the project would be done in phases over two years, so that county business could continue, although the parking area under the building would likely be used as a construction staging area, forcing freeholders and county employees to find parking elsewhere.
The five-story building accommodates county offices as well as official meeting rooms on the third floor.
The new lobby would provide more security, officials said, and the building would be upgraded with modern technology.
Other business
In additional business, the freeholders confirmed the reappointment of three members to the Hudson County Planning Board: James Cryan of Hoboken, Renee Bettinger of Jersey City, and Kennedy Ng of Union City.
The freeholders also named Jason Hill of Jersey City to the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.