Hoboken Moves To Return Recreation To Century-Old YMCA Building: Here's How

HOBOKEN, NJ — The former YMCA in uptown Hoboken, which now serves as as food bank and offers transitional housing for homeless men, will someday have recreational uses again like it did 15 years ago, the city announced on Friday.

The city intends to partner with the non-profit Hoboken Community Center to redevelop some of the space as a recreation center, the city said.

The building at 1301 Washington St. currently houses 96 men and also holds a pantry that dispenses food, toiletries, and pet products to those in need.

It once offered a pool and recreation opportunities for the community as the YMCA. But it shut down as a recreation and community center due to funding issues in 2010.

Mayor Ravi Bhalla and the city of Hoboken announced Friday that the city will "enter into a formal partnership with Hoboken Community Center to discuss options for redeveloping the former YMCA recreation space at 1301 Washington St."

The Hoboken City Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the proposed partnership during its regularly scheduled meeting this coming Wednesday.

If the council approves the vote, the city and HCC will sign a Letter of Intent, the first formal step in the partnership, the city said.

Opened 98 Years Ago

Originally opened in 1927 as the Hoboken-North Hudson YMCA, the facility served generations of Hoboken residents.

The non-profit HCC currently owns the property.

The city hopes to revitalize the 37,500-square-foot space that still includes an old indoor pool and basketball court.

Through the partnership, the property would be renovated with additional amenities as determined through an open public engagement process, the city said Friday.

“This is a transformational step toward reinvigorating a long-vacant space that once served as a cornerstone of community life in Hoboken,” said Mayor Bhalla. “Our partnership with the Hoboken Community Center is a true win for Hoboken, and I look forward to working closely with the community to create a welcoming space where residents of all ages can connect and grow."

He added, "I also want to thank Councilmembers Emily Jabbour and Tiffanie Fisher, as well as the late Councilmember Jennifer Giattino, who helped make this milestone a reality.”

“The Hoboken Community Center looks forward to entering into formal discussions with the City of Hoboken to explore opportunities to revitalize the building as a community center and provide much-needed programming and facilities for Hoboken’s youth, senior citizens and families,” said Ken Nilsen, President of the Hoboken Community Center Board of Trustees. “With a 125-year legacy of service, the HCC is committed to restoring critical community amenities — including a community-based pool, full-size indoor gym, and meeting spaces — for the benefit of all Hoboken residents.”

The framework for this partnership was developed through collaboration involving the Bhalla Administration, led by Business Administrator Jason Freeman, and Councilmembers Jabbour, Fisher, and Giattino, alongside the leadership of the HCC, the city said.

The HCC food pantry distributions will continue at 1301 Washington St. until the HCC’s new location at 122 Adams St. is completed.

READ MORE: Former Hoboken YMCA Gets $2.8M For Food Bank, Shelter