Food Kiosks Could Revitalize Hoboken Park In ‘Poor Condition’

HOBOKEN, NJ — The gated park at the intersection of Newark and Garden streets in Hoboken has seen its better days. But a local councilman has an idea to give it new life: add food and beverage kiosks.

On Monday, Councilman Mike DeFusco proposed that the city “activate” the space at 77 Park Avenue by adding kiosks for local businesses.

According to DeFusco, the city is entitled to access the space under the current zoning plans for the private property, which is owned by Chicago-based Equity Apartments.

Despite this, neither building residents or the public at large are using the park because of its “poor condition,” DeFusco said.

On Monday, DeFusco said he’s reaching out to Equity Apartments to discuss opening a new pocket park at the location. Hopefully, the property owners will share his vision, he added.

“Over the past two decades we have seen many new development projects come to Hoboken, but the city has continually failed to activate underutilized public spaces for community benefit,” DeFusco said. “Opening a pocket park in the heart of Downtown Hoboken presents us with the unique opportunity to bring food kiosks, live entertainment and a public gathering space to our neighborhood.”

According to DeFusco – who has proposed opening kiosks at other spaces in the city, including the waterfront – a public/private partnership with Equity Apartments could bring much-needed multipurpose green space to the First Ward, while also creating innovative ways for small businesses to expand their operations in Hoboken.

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