Community: Open Letter from Mayor Zimmer to Residents Regarding Proposed Monarch Settlement Agreement
Dear Concerned Residents,
Thank you to all residents who have provided feedback on the proposed settlement of litigation relating to Monarch and the Monroe development. I write to try and respond to some of the concerns I have heard and to clear up some misunderstandings.
First, I want to make sure that everyone is aware that there will not be a vote on the settlement agreement at tonight’s Council meeting. It was moved to November 14th to provide more time for community input.
I understand residents’ concerns about density. However it is important for the community to understand that there is already a preexisting redevelopment plan (the Northwest Redevelopment Plan) for 186 units and up to 14 floors of development at 800 Monroe. This redevelopment plan, which was approved by Mayor Russo in 1998, is the plan under which Metro Stop and several other buildings were constructed, and it is not possible to simply disregard the remaining elements of that plan.
Through the redevelopment process, which would begin if the settlement is approved, it will be possible to work with the community to reduce the impact on the existing neighborhood. (For example, to preserve as much of the rooftop views as possible through a well-designed layout of the buildings on the site).
Unfortunately, however, due to the preexisting redevelopment plan, it is not possible to say that there will be no development at 800 Monroe. Also given the existing redevelopment plan, the acquisition cost to purchase this and build a park would be astronomical. Residents should understand that whether we fight on with this litigation or not, a development on the scale of 186 units will be built at that site based on the existing approved plan.
Investments and 8-acre park expansion in western Hoboken: I’ve received some feedback stating that I am not prioritizing western Hoboken. As a resident of western Hoboken, I actually have been very committed to expanding park space and making our west side neighborhoods more livable and flood resilient. My Administration is the first to build a flood pump to alleviate flooding in western Hoboken, create three new major parks west of Jefferson Street, and plan our first municipal parking garage in western Hoboken. We have focused tens of millions of dollars in investment and almost all of our major projects towards improving western Hoboken. We have begun construction on a one-acre Southwest Park and we are investing $30 million to buy 6 acres of land so we can build the largest park possible in our City along with western Hoboken’s first municipal parking garage. We also prioritized a new gym and 2-acre park at 7th and Jackson that will soon be under construction which will include 250,000 gallons of storm water storage to help alleviate localized flooding. The new BASF resiliency park is proposed to be built with a 1 million gallon detention system to help reduce the impact of flooding. The $11.2 million H-5 flood pump was just completed that is entirely for alleviating the flooding in western Hoboken when we experience heavy rain.
The Waterfront Belongs to All of Us: Hoboken has the only nearly completed waterfront in New Jersey that offers the chance to stroll from one end of our City to the other without being cut off by development. Even though I live on the western side of the City, I often walk my dog, run, or bike on our waterfront. I entered into this agreement because I consider our waterfront to be a shared resource for all of us. It is something special that belongs to all of us, and I am trying to preserve it for generations to come.
For me this is not about anyone’s view, but this is about the quality of life for our community and preserving our shared waterfront treasure.
The Risk is Real: The outcome of this litigation if we continue to pursue it is uncertain. If we lose we block our community’s waterfront. We still have 186 units and up to 14 floors of development at 800 Monroe and we will have spent about $2 million in litigation costs with nothing but development to show for it.
Understanding the process: A litigation settlement negotiation cannot be conducted as a public process. However, because of the importance of this settlement to Hoboken residents, we took the highly unusual step of publicly releasing the proposed agreement so the public will be fully informed and have an opportunity to have your views fully considered as the City Council makes its decision. It is also important for residents to know that the settlement is the first step. If this settlement is approved, a redevelopment agreement with more details about the design and layout of the buildings would have to be introduced to the City Council, reviewed by the Planning Board, and then return to the City Council for a public hearing. The public will have a chance to ask questions and provide input through every step of this process.
If the settlement is not approved, then the City will proceed with the litigation in court in December. However, given the significant risks we face, I believe the agreement is in the best interests of the City and therefore I am asking the City Council and our community to consider it.
Last night an urgent meeting was called by westside Hoboken residents after the City of Hoboken’s bombshell announcement it would seek to settle with the Barry family, re: Applied and jettison 70 units from the Monarch Project into a bigger density rental building at 800 Monroe.
Another group of residents planning to attend shifted going to City Hall to participate in a council subcommittee meeting on the same topic.
Dozens of local residents mostly from the Metrostop building aired their grievances mostly confused why they were the victims of a real estate assault proposing another high density building without any notice to them or their neighbors. Their questions ranged from asking why this was happening to inquiry about what is possible to do with the City of Hoboken to work with the property owners David and Michael Barry. On hand offering comment and some limited but not final answers: Council members Michael Russo and Dave Mello.Read More...
Community: Update: Vote Rescheduled for Nov 14; Hoboken and Shipyard Reach Proposed Settlement Regarding Monarch Project and 800 Monroe
City of Hoboken announces:
Dear MSV readers,
UPDATE (11/1/16): City Council President has removed the settlement agreement from the Wednesday November 2nd meeting in order to provide the Council and the public with additional time to understand all the facts prior to the Council voting on the matter. The agreement is scheduled to be considered at the November 14th meeting.
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The City of Hoboken and Shipyard Associates have reached a proposed agreement to settle litigation that began five years ago relating to a planned residential development on a platform pier on Hoboken’s North waterfront. Hoboken opposed the development, which would have resulted in 70 luxury apartments replacing the tennis courts which had once been planned for that location.
The proposed settlement also resolves a dispute over a redevelopment project at 800 Monroe Street in West Hoboken. In total, six legal disputes relating to the two proposed projects would be resolved by the settlement. The City has spent $1 million on litigation costs to date. An estimated $1 million in legal fees would have been required if a settlement had not been reached. In addition, Shipyard has also asserted damage claims against the City, and the outcome of the litigation would have been uncertain. The proposed agreement will be considered by the Hoboken City Council on Wednesday, November 2nd.
“This settlement protects our City’s treasured waterfront by ensuring that no residential or commercial development will be built on Hoboken’s waterfront and that the three piers will not be used for any purpose other than public open space,” said Mayor Zimmer. “As part of the agreement, Shipyard Associates would make a $500,000 contribution to the City, which will be used for cleanup of the platform pier debris, an engineering analysis, and to start the work needed to design and eventually construct a new waterfront walkway park.”
The proposed settlement will also settle a multi-year litigation at the 800 Monroe site on the western side of the City. This would represent an increase of 79 units from the existing Redevelopment Plan which was approved in the 1990’s under the Russo Administration that already permits 186 units of development. As a result of the settlement, the 800 Monroe project would have an additional 52 market rate units plus 27 affordable housing units. The maximum allowable number of stories will decrease from 14 to 13, however the maximum building height would be allowed to increase by 10 feet. The existing Redevelopment Plan does not require any affordable housing, whereas the new agreement would increase affordable housing in the City.
Mayor Zimmer invites all concerned residents to voice their views at the Council meeting.
“I understand and agree with the concern many residents have about rising density levels, and I will continue to work to create great neighborhoods in western Hoboken with new parks, restaurants and arts, and retail amenities,” added Mayor Zimmer. “I recognize this is a very important decision for our City Council, the Planning Board, and the community, and therefore we are making the terms of the agreement public in advance so that residents can consider the agreement and voice their views at the City Council meeting on Wednesday.”
On November 2nd, the City Council will also be voting on a contract for the acquisition of the 6-acre BASF site, located in western Hoboken, which will become our City’s largest park. In addition to the planned 5-acre Resiliency Park, one acre will be used for building a new municipal parking garage. A new 2-acre park will also soon be built at 7th Street and Jackson Street.
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Dear friends and neighbors,
It’s just =&1=& until the Tuesday November 8th election, and we’re working hard to spread the word to ensure high voter turnout! A School Board seat was decided by =&2=& last year so =&3=&
This year the board majority is at stake. We cannot return to the days of audit violations and educational dollars being spent outside the classroom.
Jennifer, Sheillah and Irene have spent years selflessly working to improve our schools. We need to elect them to keep building on the steady progress the district is making.
=&4=& is to cast your votes for Evans, Dallara and Sobolov =&5=& for Hoboken School Board. Polls are open from 6am-8pm and you can find your polling location here.
=&6=& It’s as easy as messaging or emailing your friends to remind them how important this election will be.
On election day, be sure to wear a button or a t-shirt, and get a balloon or signfor your stroller at our =&7=&. Also please consider volunteering an hour or two to help remind Hoboken to vote! We need to show Hoboken there’s overwhelming support for Jennifer, Sheillah and Irene!
=&8=& if you won’t be in Hoboken on election day! There’s still time to register to =&9=&.You can apply to Vote By Mail in person to the County Clerk until 3:00 p.m. the day before the election.
Finally, PLEASE forward this email to your friends and neighbors. =&10=& about Jennifer, Sheillah and Irene!
That unmistakeable smell is upon us, enveloping us, smothering us and denial doesn’t only sound like a certain river in Egypt.
Release the Hounds or wait, didn’t they just ask to release “everything?” Release 650,000 emails?
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A vote is anticipated this Wednesday by the Hoboken City Council giving Applied, re: the Barry family tens of millions in added profits in redevelopment rights at 800 Monroe in place of the Monarch Project.
The City of Hoboken announced the deal on Saturday. Hoboken residents have started a petition seeking to stop the vote as the Monarch Project matter is already on appeal in the courts.
Here is the petition from HARMED – Hoboken Residents Against Radical & Massive Egregious Development.Read More...
Demarest School, formerly Hoboken’s High School (credit: Hoboken Historical Museum Digital Archives)
As most people already know by now, the QLC Board of Education Candidates forum revealed to all in attendance exactly who was backing the Parents United slate and what values they hold dear. Beyond the Read More...
Community: Hoboken and Shipyard Reach Proposed Settlement Regarding Monarch Project and 800 Monroe
Dear MSV readers,
The City of Hoboken and Shipyard Associates have reached a proposed agreement to settle litigation that began five years ago relating to a planned residential development on a platform pier on Hoboken’s North waterfront. Hoboken opposed the development, which would have resulted in 70 luxury apartments replacing the tennis courts which had once been planned for that location.
The proposed settlement also resolves a dispute over a redevelopment project at 800 Monroe Street in West Hoboken. In total, six legal disputes relating to the two proposed projects would be resolved by the settlement. The City has spent $1 million on litigation costs to date. An estimated $1 million in legal fees would have been required if a settlement had not been reached. In addition, Shipyard has also asserted damage claims against the City, and the outcome of the litigation would have been uncertain. The proposed agreement will be considered by the Hoboken City Council on Wednesday, November 2nd.
“This settlement protects our City’s treasured waterfront by ensuring that no residential or commercial development will be built on Hoboken’s waterfront and that the three piers will not be used for any purpose other than public open space,” said Mayor Zimmer. “As part of the agreement, Shipyard Associates would make a $500,000 contribution to the City, which will be used for cleanup of the platform pier debris, an engineering analysis, and to start the work needed to design and eventually construct a new waterfront walkway park.”
The proposed settlement will also settle a multi-year litigation at the 800 Monroe site on the western side of the City. This would represent an increase of 79 units from the existing Redevelopment Plan which was approved in the 1990’s under the Russo Administration that already permits 186 units of development. As a result of the settlement, the 800 Monroe project would have an additional 52 market rate units plus 27 affordable housing units. The maximum allowable number of stories will decrease from 14 to 13, however the maximum building height would be allowed to increase by 10 feet. The existing Redevelopment Plan does not require any affordable housing, whereas the new agreement would increase affordable housing in the City.
Mayor Zimmer invites all concerned residents to voice their views at the Council meeting.
“I understand and agree with the concern many residents have about rising density levels, and I will continue to work to create great neighborhoods in western Hoboken with new parks, restaurants and arts, and retail amenities,” added Mayor Zimmer. “I recognize this is a very important decision for our City Council, the Planning Board, and the community, and therefore we are making the terms of the agreement public in advance so that residents can consider the agreement and voice their views at the City Council meeting on Wednesday.”
On November 2nd, the City Council will also be voting on a contract for the acquisition of the 6-acre BASF site, located in western Hoboken, which will become our City’s largest park. In addition to the planned 5-acre Resiliency Park, one acre will be used for building a new municipal parking garage. A new 2-acre park will also soon be built at 7th Street and Jackson Street.
The following letter is submitted by the listed Hoboken parents below:
Dear Neighbors:With Election Day approaching, this is a reminder that there is a great deal at stake in the upcoming Hoboken school board election that affects not only parents of children enrolled in our city’s wonderful public schools, but also the Hoboken community as a whole.
As a varied group of Hoboken public school parents, some of us having never met, we are unified in our support for the Forward Together slate of candidates: Jennifer Evans, Sheillah Dallara, and Irene Sobolov.Read More...
