Debate Intensifies Over Hoboken Yard Plan, Proposed High-Rises

HOBOKEN, NJ — Debate over a large development project near Hoboken Terminal is intensifying in the Mile Square City.

Recently, the Hoboken Yard Redevelopment Plan reentered the spotlight after years of sitting on the back burner. The plan – approved in 2014 after a long history of public involvement – aims to create a mixed-use project that will revitalize the area near Hoboken Terminal and Observer Highway.

NJ Transit owns most of the property where the project is based.

The current version of the plan would allow for a pair of 300-foot (or higher) buildings to be built in the area, as well as improvements to Warrington Plaza and a portion of the terminal.

City officials are considering an amendment to the plan, which will mean less overall development and fewer residential units for the area, according to a Nixle message from the office of Mayor Ravi Bhalla. The amendment would reduce the overall footprint of the project to 1.4 million square feet, and will also recognize the proposed location of the Rebuild by Design flood protection structure.

• See details about the amended plan for Hoboken Yard

At the urging of Hoboken City Council President Jen Giattino, the council recently postponed a vote on the proposed amendment to allow more public input on the public.

According to Hoboken Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, no additional buildings are planned at the moment, but the developer, LCOR, retains the option to build an additional 1.3 million square feet in the future.

During an emotion-laded public workshop meeting about the project on Oct. 15, several Hoboken community members said they were concerned about possible traffic and environmental issues stemming from the new buildings.

Councilman Mike DeFusco, who represents the ward where the plan is located, acknowledged the “growing concern” over extra traffic congestion in the area.

“It’s important for us to make traffic and feasibility studies available for everyone to review before a second vote is held by the City Council,” DeFusco said. “I remain committed to a responsible redevelopment plan in southern Hoboken, and I’m confident that once the appropriate documents and information are made public, we can move a plan forward by year’s end.”

In the wake of the Oct. 15 community meeting, Mayor Bhalla released a statement about the plan.

“The original Hoboken Yard Redevelopment Plan, passed by the Hoboken City Council in 2014, will help revitalize downtown Hoboken and provide for responsible development that does not threaten the character of our city," Bhalla wrote.

"The City Council amendment to this plan proposes to allow the development to incorporate flood protection as part of our critical $230 million flood protection through Rebuild by Design, which will protect Hoboken for the long term from storm surge," Bhalla continued.

"While I appreciate the proposed amendment to integrate the elements of Rebuild by Design into the plan by the City Council, it is clear that there must be additional time to incorporate the community feedback received by my office and at tonight’s meeting before a final vote can occur," Bhalla said.

REDEVELOPMENT IN HOBOKEN: HOW IT WORKS

Here's how redevelopment plans happen in Hoboken, according to Bhalla:

"In any redevelopment project, there is an overarching redevelopment plan that provides for a broad framework of a certain redevelopment area. Once a redevelopment plan is created and passed by the council, the plan is transferred to the mayor’s office and either signed into law or vetoed. Once adopted, my office then negotiates a redevelopment agreement(s) that provides for specifics of building height, setbacks, open space, traffic circulation plans, community givebacks, and more details. These negotiated redevelopment agreements are then presented to the council for consideration."

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