The city of Hoboken has canceled all events at Sinatra Park for the time being after a portion of the pier collapsed on Monday. City engineers have been monitoring the situation.
HOBOKEN ADDRESSES SINATRA PARK COLLAPSE
HOBOKEN, NJ, Sept. 23 – The City of Hoboken is taking emergency measures in its continuing efforts to secure and stop any further erosion of a portion of Sinatra Park which collapsed into the Hudson River on Monday, announced Mayor Dawn Zimmer.
“The public’s safety is the greatest concern and we have closed off the affected areas while our engineers study the situation,” said Mayor Zimmer. “A team of divers from Boswell Underwater Engineering will be conducting an inspection of the pier’s infrastructure at 7 a.m. tomorrow morning.”
“As a result, all public events have been cancelled at the park including the adjacent soccer field while we address this issue,” the Mayor said. “All soccer games this weekend have been moved to the Hoboken High School field.”
The following is a time-line of the collapse.
–On Monday, September 21, at approximately 9 a.m., City of Hoboken workers reported cracking in the pavers at the far east tip of Sinatra Park. The area was immediately closed off to the public.
— City engineers conducted a “visual” survey of the area and pier piles during high-tide that afternoon.
–On Tuesday, September 22, City engineers conducted an “inner-water” survey at high-tide to further assess the pier’s condition. It was determined that a low-tide survey beneath the pier be conducted for further analysis of the pier’s condition.
–On Wednesday, September 23, a low-tide survey was conducted to determine if further erosion has occurred. The City’s engineers then recommended that an underwater survey be conducted of the structure.
–An underwater “diving” survey of the area will be conducted on Thursday, September 24, at 7 a.m. by Boswell Underwater Engineering to determine the integrity of the structure.
— As a precaution, all events scheduled at Sinatra Park on Wednesday, September 23, and for the immediate future have been postponed and the Soccer Field has been closed to the public. Soccer games scheduled for this weekend have been moved to (JFK) Hoboken High School field .
–An engineering report and cost estimates are being prepared to ensure immediate repairs.
“We are using every resource at our disposal to remedy the situation in Sinatra Park,” said Mayor Zimmer. “As a safety precaution I am also requesting our engineers begin the process of assessing the structural integrity of all our piers.”
The City of Hoboken will provide additional updates about the engineers’ findings and all other relevant information regarding the closing of Sinatra Park on the City’s website www.hobokennnj.org.