Holding a party for a reservoir might seem a little odd.
But for residents and public officials in Weehawken and Union City, preserving a 14.4-acre former reservoir near the border of both cities is a big deal. The towns closed down a portion of Palisades Avenue on Sept. 24 to celebrate. People danced or sang. Kids climbed onto various amusement rides. Many visitors took a stroll around the reservoir to admire the wildlife as well as the view of the New York Skyline.
“The property could have been sold for development,” said Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner. “There were plenty of offers from developers.”
But he said the site offered a good opportunity as a public amenity, a park with walkway in a part of Hudson County that is already densely populated.
Turner reached out to state Senator and Union City Mayor Brian Stack to see if they could come up with a plan to purchase the property.
Known Hackensack Reservoir No. 2, the property is located on the Weehawken side of Palisades Avenue.
“Even though it is in Weehawken, this will benefit residents of Union City,” Stack said.
Although built in the 19th Century, the reservoir property hasn’t been in operation since 1996. But it has been reconfigured into a passive park with benches and a rail around the perimeter.
“This is the largest preservation project in North Hudson in the last 50 years.” – Richard Turner
____________
Turner said United Water originally owned the property and offered to sell it for $11 million.
“Through a combination of grants and low interest loans we were able to buy the property,” Turner said.
This included an $8.66 million low interest loan from The Trust for Public Land, a national, non-profit organization that has worked with landowners, funders and townships across the nation since 1972.
The loan – three quarters of which is at 0 percent interest, and one quarter of which carries between 1 and 2 percent interest – will be split by both parties. The loan’s projected payoff will take 20 years.
The project also received a $2 million grant from the state’s Green Acres – a program under N.J.’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) dedicated to funding land conservation and recreational resources.
Both towns kicked in to fill in the rest of the sale price, and they will split the cost of maintaining the park. Maintenance cost is estimated at about $600,000 annually.
“This is good for the residents of both our towns,” said Stack.
The agreement with NJ State DEP guarantees that the reservoir will be preserved indefinitely as a park.
The reservoir is bordered by Washington Street, Gregory Avenue, Highpoint Avenue, and 20th Street.
“This is what government is supposed to be doing,” Stack said. “This will be felt by the public.”
The reservoir will be open to the public in the morning, guarded by security, and closed after dusk with no nighttime access or lighting.
“This is a great moment for Union City and Weehawken,” Turner said. “This is the largest preservation project in North Hudson in the last 50 years.”
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.