Let your voice be heard on chronic flooding in Hoboken
Hoboken officials propose to use nature-based “green infrastructure” solutions to relieve chronic flooding in the city. A Rutgers led-project asks Hoboken residents to complete a Hoboken Resident Community Health and Resilience Survey. The survey is an effort to gather input about the effects of chronic flooding on health. Respondents will also have the chance to share their opinions on potential solutions to limit future flooding.
As part of post-Sandy recovery, the city of Hoboken is working on strategies to better manage stormwater throughout the city, a major cause of water pollution and flooding. When the rain falls on roofs, streets and parking lots, the water cannot soak into the ground. This causes flooding throughout the city, as well as pollution of nearby bodies of water.
Hoboken is served by a combined sewer system, which collects rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater in the same pipes. Sometimes, heavy rainfall exceeds the system’s capacity, resulting in overflows that carry diluted human and industrial waste, toxic materials, and debris into streets, basements and waterways. The city’s flooding and combined sewer overflows can seriously impact residents’ health.
To better manage stormwater runoff, city officials propose Green Infrastructure as part of its updated stormwater management plan. Green infrastructure uses plants, soil, and natural systems to manage water, reduce flooding, and create a healthier urban environment.
Using data from the survey, a team of Rutgers researchers will produce a Health Impact Assessment of the proposed changes to the Hoboken Stormwater Management Plan and make recommendations to the Hoboken Planning Board and City Council concerning the potential positive and negative health impacts of the green infrastructure strategies under consideration. Results of the survey will be presented at a public forum in the fall.
This project is supported by a grant from the Health Impact Project, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts. The project is conducted by Rutgers University and New Jersey Future, under the umbrella of the New Jersey Health Impact Collaborative (NJHIC), a network of organizations working to promote the consideration of health outcomes as part of planning and decision-making in New Jersey.
For more information please contact Miriam Salerno, Senior Public Relations Specialist, at (848) 932-2876 or Miriam.salerno@ejb.rutgers.edu or Elaine Clisham at New Jersey Future at (609) 393-0008 or eclisham@njfuture.org.
Maxwell Place condo building 90 percent sold
Toll Brothers City Living announced last week that 1100 Maxwell Place has reached the 90 percent sold milestone. The 12-story building is part of the upscale Maxwell Place condo complex in northeast Hoboken.
“Buyers are drawn to the building because of its amazing waterfront location, the stellar views of New York and the top-notch amenities such as the outdoor pool and landscaped roof deck,” said Henry Waller, vice president for Toll Brothers City Living. “Living in such a thriving part of Hoboken with the convenience of Manhattan just a few minutes away makes the Maxwell Place community very popular.”
Homes at 1100 Maxwell Place run between $604,995 and $2.3 million and feature nine-foot ceilings, spacious layouts, and expansive windows offering direct views of New York City. Residents also have access to a wide-range of amenities, including a 24-hour doorman, state-of-the-art fitness center, and a rooftop pool and hot tub.
‘Freedom Through Art’ Exhibit features students of St. Joseph’s School for the Blind
Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, one of New Jersey’s leading luxury real estate services firms, hosted the opening reception of St. Joseph’s School for the Blind exhibit “Freedom Through Art” on June 25 at the firm’s Hoboken office, 321 Washington St. “Freedom for Art” will be open to the public throughout the month of July.
The exhibit featured works by students as well as Bojana Coklyat, the art director of the school, located in Jersey City. Artwork showcased at the event captured the students’ talents in painting, illustrations, and 3D canvas art creations. The displayed artwork depicted varying themes provided throughout the year by Coklyat, an art teacher and legally blind artist who encourages her students to use art as a form of expression, emotion and communication.
StorageBlue secures $31 million in refinancing
StorageBlue LLC, the New Jersey-based self-storage company, has announced the completion of a $31 million re-financing of a four-building portfolio comprised of locations on the New Jersey Gold Coast. Due to their close proximity to Manhattan, the properties are among the highest quality self-storage assets in the New York area. This complicated, four loan transaction, was financed by Natixis Real Estate Capitol LLC.
“Natixis made this process as seamless and as easy as possible, as we now have our eye on expansion,” says Alan Mruvka, president, CEO and co-founder of StorageBlue with his father, Murray Mruvka.
Mruvka is actively working to improve the self-storage process and customer experience with StorageBlue, seeking to expand its portfolio nationwide through the acquisition of existing self-storage buildings and development of new self-storage facilities. He added features like mobile usability, online payment management, and high-tech security to make StorageBlue stand out from its competitors.
“One of the things we are most proud of at StorageBlue is that we continue to re-invest our capital into improving both the physical properties, as well as incorporating technological advances into a typically outdated industry,” states Mruvka. “StorageBlue’s 365 days-a-year access, long service hours, and regular upgrades to our facilities are some of the key reasons we have enjoyed so much success at our properties.”
Apply to be a Hoboken firefighter by Aug. 31
Applications will now be accepted for the 2015 New Jersey Fire Fighter examination. Those who wish to take the examination must apply online at the Civil Service Commission website (http://www.state.nj.us/csc) by Aug. 31. An orientation guide outlining the testing process, along with ways in which candidates can prepare for the exam, is available on the Civil Service Commission website. Testing is currently planned for the fall of 2015.
Renewal for senior parking permits extended to July 6
The renewal for senior parking permits has been extended until July 6. The special permits issued to seniors expired on June 30, but a grace period of six days has been granted to assist those who have not already completed the renewal process. Seniors with expired permits will not be issued tickets between June 30 and July 6 and should come to the Hoboken Parking Utility to renew.
State or federal documentation with a date of birth, which includes (but not limited to) a driver’s license, passport, and Medicare card is required, along with a current utility bill.
Any senior 62 years of age or older can qualify for a special senior parking permit. For more information or further assistance, please call the Hoboken Parking Utility at (201) 653-1919.
Community invited to give input on Southwest Redevelopment Plan online
Members of the community are invited to visit www.hobokennj.org/swplan to complete an online survey for the Southwest Redevelopment Plan.
The Southwest Redevelopment Plan Area consists of 17.64 acres in Southwest Hoboken and is bounded, roughly, by Paterson Avenue and Observer Highway on the north and the Jersey City boundary on the west and south. This portion of Hoboken was designated an Area in Need of Rehabilitation in 2012 and the city is in the process of creating a redevelopment plan for the area. The redevelopment plan will address the various land uses, appropriate density and height of buildings, and opportunities to encourage neighborhood goods and services. Finally, the plan will also strive to increase public parks and open spaces.
Hoboken Police Department offering child safety seat inspection and installation
The Hoboken Police Department offers child safety seat inspections and installations during the following days and times: Monday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Evenings and weekends are by appointment only – please call (201) 420-5109