City Anticipates September Opening of Uptown Soccer Field

Hoboken's soccer and baseball players should be able to play on a brand new field come September. The Hoboken City Council voted to approve a contract to start construction on a new soccer field at.

City Directors Brandy Forbes, Leo Pellegrini and Ian Sacs all said opening of the field by then is doable.

During the new council majority's, the council voted in a 6-2 vote to approve a contract to construct the field, in order for it to open in time. Councilwoman Carol Marsh abstained. Councilman David Mello expressed his worry about the timing of the contract, saying there are too many other concerns to figure out before approving construction. Among those concerns are the impact of the construction on the nearby traffic patterns.

The field, explained Health and Human Services Director Leo Pellegrini, will have to be elevated by a two-foot cap, because of a pile of dirt that is currently there.

Mello said that the city should move forward as quickly as possible on the project, but proposed to postpone the vote until July 13. Most of his council colleagues disagreed.

Another concern that has been mentioned is that, once elevated, parents cannot see their children on the field from the street, explained Transportation and Parking Director Ian Sacs.

Pellegrini said that the cost of the construction of the field is included in this year's budget.

"It’s such a big issue in town," Third Ward Councilman Michael Russo said, "getting our kids out in the field."

Russo, usually critical of the administration, said "I fully support the mayor on this."

By voting to award this contract, the council and City Directors implied that Hoboken's children will be able to play baseball and soccer on a new field at 1600 Park come the Fall.