Protestors Wanted Benches Returned To Hoboken's Main Drag. City's Now Doing A Survey

HOBOKEN, NJ — After a disabled resident of Hoboken, and others, complained last month about benches being removed from the city's main street, the city has launched a survey about the matter. READ MORE: Bring Back Our Benches, Say Hoboken Residents

The city of Hoboken and the Hoboken Business Alliance announced on Thursday afternoon that they sought input "on new potential street furniture on Washington Street."

"Hoboken community members can provide feedback on what style of benches they would like installed and suggest potential locations," they added.

The city removed several benches from Hoboken's main street in mid-summer. Kurt Gardiner — a sometime political candidate and artist who suffered a stroke in 2019 — said seniors, as well as those with a disability, appreciated having the benches on Washington Street.

"There are senior citizens and disabled people and just [other] people who need a place to rest," Gardiner told Patch last month. "So if you are going to eliminate all the benches on Washington Street, we might as well be suburbia."

He said that if the issue had to do with working ebike deliverers or the homeless population, those matters should be addressed another way.

Marci Rubin, a city public safety spokesperson, first said the benches were removed as a result of "feedback from Washington Street residents, business owners, and frequent pedestrians." She also said there were still benches by some bus stops.

When asked for more information, the city later elaborated, saying they eventually intended to return a bench near Seventh Street. And they did.

But Gardiner said the one bench was not enough.

The survey can be found at https://arcg.is/1uiL5j0. The survey is scheduled to close on Thursday, Sept 25, at 7 p.m.

Got thoughts or a letter on the matter? You can post letters, releases, and nonprofit events on Patch any time for free. Here's how.