I wanted to follow the letter written a few weeks ago with additional thanks to the many people who prioritized making our streets safer for the residents of Hoboken.
On Monday, June 15, new stop signs were installed at the intersection of 15th and Bloomfield streets. This intersection is on what is arguably now a main, two-way, by-pass entrance into Hoboken and as such has significant vehicular traffic that was not originally planned for and therefore underserved. Although a simple stop sign may seem small, its effect on safety has already been significant. And it took the efforts of so many to make this happen.
It started in the spring of 2014 when 15 or so Hudson Tea residents attended a Hoboken Planning Board (HPB) meeting for the then proposed building at 1400 Hudson Street. My neighbors’ purpose was not to oppose the new building, but rather primarily to voice concerns about safety on 15th street. Gary Holtzman, Chairman of the HPB, listened to the concerns and supported the HPB to do further investigation into the traffic incidents on 15th street. Those efforts were spearheaded by Stephen Marks, Municipal Manager and Mayor Appointee to the HPB and Andy Hipolit, engineer to the HPB, with critical input from the Hoboken Police Department.
When the results of their investigation revealed that there were sufficient historical incidents to justify further traffic safety measures on 15th street, Councilman and then HPB Commissioner Ravi Bhalla, committed that he would ensure follow up from the City and a path to address resident concerns. Shortly after this, Mayor Zimmer and Parking and Transportation Director John Morgan met with approximately 60 Hudson Tea residents who similarly voiced that pedestrian safety on 15th street was their main concern. Both Mayor Zimmer and Director Morgan also pledged City action with regard to the issue.
Following these meetings, newly appointed Police Chief Ferrante placed patrol cars on 15th street to help enforce existing signage and improve safety. And Councilman Bhalla, via the City Council Parking and Traffic subcommittee and with the support from fellow subcommittee members 5th Ward Councilman Cunningham and 3rd Ward Councilman Russo, secured the commitment from Director John Morgan to include 15th Street in a warrant study to determine what improved traffic measures should be implemented. The results of the study showed that the intersection of 15th and Bloomfield streets warranted three-way stop signs. And at the May 20 City Council meeting, an ordinance sponsored by Councilman Cunningham and 6th Ward Councilwoman Giattino to allow for the installation of these stop signs, was approved with a unanimous vote.
This is a great example of when members of the community work together to achieve a common goal. And that it really does take a village. A huge thank you to all who were involved in getting this done for us.
Tiffanie Fisher