Hoboken Approves Plan For Housing And Pool On Western Edge

HOBOKEN, NJ — The Hoboken City Council adopted on Wednesday a redevelopment agreement for the Western Edge Redevelopment Area, which will include residential development, $3 million for a long-desired town pool and community center, 20 units of on-site affordable housing and 17 units of off-site affordable housing for homeless veterans, flood mitigation measures, and public open space.

The patch of land is bounded by 13th, 14th, Jefferson and Madison streets.

The redevelopment agreement revitalizes over 1.8 acres of blighted land in Northwest Hoboken, with the redevelopment agreement providing for 322,700 square feet of residential density along with 24,500 square feet of commercial retail space.

The redevelopment agreement was approved by a 8-1 vote. As a condition of approval, the developer must present final site and engineer plans before the Hoboken Planning Board prior to construction.

Stormwater management measures, meant to mitigate flooding on the low-lying western border with Jersey City Heights, will include on-site stormwater storage with an underground detention system to withhold up to 22,000 cubic feet, or over 165,000 gallons of rainwater, as well as bioswales, rain gardens, and trees.

“I’m extremely pleased we have adopted a redevelopment agreement that provides for robust community givebacks, especially funding that will be allocated for a new community pool,” said Mayor Ravi Bhalla, whose administration negotiated the agreement. “The combination of this much needed public amenity, along with 37 units of affordable housing, open space, and critical flood mitigation will add substantial quality of life benefits to our mile square. Thank you to Fair Share Housing, the Hoboken American Legion, the City Council and the Office of Community Development for working collaboratively together on this project.”

Fourth Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos stated, “I’m excited about the opportunity to add to our affordable housing stock as well as continue to work to add sorely needed community benefits such as a swimming pool and community center.”

"We must always honor those who served our great nation, not just with words but through our actions," said American Legion Hoboken Post 107 Commander John Carey.

“Fair Share Housing Center is pleased that the city of Hoboken is taking positive steps to follow through on the settlement that FSHC and Hoboken achieved that will ensure that the proposed residential development in the Western Edge abides by the city’s affordable housing requirements,” said Adam Gordon, Executive Director of Fair Share Housing Center.

Hoboken will soon initiate public meetings to solicit input on potential locations and designs for the pool.

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