Hoboken development yanked; pier legislation introduced for four towns
For now, Hoboken development activists can put away their orange signs that say “no building on piers.” A developer who hoped to construct a 120-unit residential apartment building on the city’s North Pier shelved its plans last week. The four-story structure would have been the first private residential development on the city’s piers, a fact that angered many city residents.
“We have listened to a lot of criticism over the last couple of months – some of it valid and some of it ridiculous,” said Michael Barry, a principal partner in the Applied Companies, the development company that sought to develop the space. “We have decided to take a step back at this point and take a fresh look at the development opportunities in that space.”
Barry added, “We are not saying that the pier won’t be developed.”
Meanwhile, assemblymen Albio Sires (D – West New York) and Bernard Kenny (D – Hoboken) submitted a legislative measure Monday for introduction that would finance $3.25 million in grants for pier restoration projects in Guttenberg, Hoboken, Weehawken and West New York.
Stray animals need homes for the holidays
B efore buying a new pet this holiday season, you might want to consider the case of five dogs who were rescued from a Jersey City woman’s apartment last week, or the scores of dogs and cats in the county’s animal shelter who are waiting for good homes.
After neighbors complained about a woman who kept many animals in her Jersey City apartment last week, police investigated. The woman needed psychiatric treatment and was taken to the hospital, and the five dogs, whose fur was matted, were brought to the Hoboken Animal Hospital, said Wendy Neu of the Hudson County animal rescue group Companion Animal Placement.
“The animals were not treated properly,” Neu said last week. “They have to be shaved down. We’re not sure of their dispositions right now. They have to be held at the clinic until we can find homes for them.” She said that the dogs are small breeds.
People wanting more information can call the Hoboken Animal Hospital at 963-3604 or Companion Animal Placement at 653-7202. The animal shelter in Jersey City can be reached at 435-0914. It also has profiles of some of its animals on the web: www.petfinder.org/shelters/NJ182.html.