Dear Editor:
The letter that appeared in last week’s Hudson Reporter by Councilman Ruben Ramos needs to be supported and applauded. Ruben Ramos is one of the most forward thinking political leaders in Hoboken. He recognizes the value of good real estate development and how it can benefit the community. Besides his example of political action enhancing the value of Hoboken as a world class city, (in the instance the City’s granting of the height variance” that resulted in the “W Hotel”), many other examples exist to support the benefits of public private partnerships. Pier A park and the soon to-be-completed Pier C park were the result of an agreement with the Port Authority on a several million square foot development that also paid for the completion of the waterfront walkway from Newark St. to Fourth Street. These are prime examples of public cooperation in partnership with developers.
Our own Maxwell Park, Hoboken’s largest public waterfront park, was also a result of a public private partnership. By working with the city, we were able to design a great public amenity, the city helped us secure financing to help pay for the massive cost of rebuilding the piers and together, we created a six acre waterfront park.
Similar efforts are underway today. A proposal was approved by the council to create a cultural center incorporating a theatre and art galleries paid for by a private developer and assisted with public monies and charitable donations, other initiatives are currently in the planning stages. The southwest park initiative could be paid for by developers along Observer Highway. Several developers are waiting for re-development zoning and would be willing to work with community groups to create their vision of a southwest park. The time is right. People must work together at the beginning of the process and that way everyone can win.
Councilman Ramos should be applauded for his insight and leadership for a better Hoboken.
George Vallone
Chief Executive Officer
Hoboken Brownstone Company