Essex-Hudson Greenway Plan In Jeopardy, NJ Groups Warn

NEW JERSEY — It’s a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” But without a twist of fate – and soon – the plan to build a massive hiking and biking trail in North Jersey could evaporate into memory, advocates say.

For years, a roster of local leaders, environmental activists and other community members have been pushing for the Essex-Hudson Greenway, which has been stuck behind a mountain of red tape and uncertainty despite a groundswell of support.

If it ever comes to fruition, the greenway would convert 8.6 miles of unused railroad tracks on the old Boonton Line into a 100-foot-wide biking/hiking path that crosses through eight towns: Montclair, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, Belleville, Newark, Kearny, Secaucus and Jersey City.

• See related article: Plan To Build Hike, Bike Path Through 8 NJ Towns Picks Up Steam
• See related article: Bike, Hike From Montclair To Jersey City? Plan Leaps Forward

Proponents say the greenway would give residents and visitors in one of the most densely populated areas of the state a place to ride a bike or take a leisurely walk outdoors. It would also give North Jersey commuters another way to travel to New York City, helping to relieve traffic congestion in the area.

Supporters also say it would create “expansive” economic, public health and environmental benefits, such as addressing severe sewer overflow issues that have long plagued homeowners and communities along the proposed route.

• See related article: Essex-Hudson Greenway Could Battle Stormwater Woes
• See related article: Essex-Hudson Greenway Project Would Offer Health Benefits

The oft-discussed project took a big leap forward in 2020, when the Open Space Institute (OSI) announced it reached a tentative deal to buy the property from the Georgia-based Norfolk Southern Railway Company. But since then, there’s been a troubling lack of movement on the plan, advocates say.

Supporters of the greenway offered a plea to keep the plan on track Wednesday. They wrote:

“After decades of work by New Jersey citizens, local officials, and advocacy groups, the dream of creating a nine-mile, 135-acre linear park in Northern New Jersey is coming to an end as project financing and purchase opportunities are set to expire. After working with administrative, legislative, and local officials for more than a year and developing a long-term, revenue-neutral funding plan to purchase the greenway property, New Jersey leaders are allowing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to slip away.”

Advocates offered more details about the current precarious situation:

“In January 2020, the OSI secured a time-limited purchase agreement with Norfolk Southern for the purchase of the former Boonton Line which traverses eight municipalities in Essex and Hudson Counties. Having already secured one extension to finalize the deal, time is running out to complete the purchase of the property. Under terms of the $65 million purchase agreement, the transfer needs to be completed by January 2022 – which leaves a short timeframe to complete the complicated land transfer.”

Advocates continued:

“With the purchase contract secured with Norfolk Southern Rail Corporation set to expire, the company will soon be free to start selling off pieces of the line and the adjoining property it owns. Most at risk to being sold off separately as land at the eastern most end of the proposed linear park and in Newark – where there are already offers on the table … The state’s inaction is also jeopardizing funding for the project, which is currently being held at the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (I-Bank). Without a commitment from the administration [of Gov. Phil Murphy], those funds are at immediate risk for being reallocated for other capital projects elsewhere in the state … Moreover, under a revenue-neutral funding plan developed with elected and other government officials, the administration’s lack of movement for the project is jeopardizing project funding. Currently, $155 million in low-interest loan funds are being held. These funds by the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank would finance $65 million for purchase and $90 million for site development. It is proposed that those loans be repaid over the next 30 years through funds from the Realty Transfer Fund (RTF) that had been used for land protection under the sunsetting Highlands Act. If the state does not act with the I-Bank by the beginning of July, the funds will be reallocated to other projects and the RTF will be absorbed to the general fund.”

Leaders in the effort to create the Essex-Hudson Greenway, including the Open Space Institute, the New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition, and the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance, said without immediate action, the “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” will evaporate.

They included:

Kim Elliman, president and CEO of the Open Space Institute – “Action is needed now to determine whether the Essex-Hudson Greenway is going to become reality or be allowed to die on the vine. While there have been many months of encouraging conversations with county and state officials and displays of high-level endorsement, deadlines are quickly approaching that must be met to save the project for the people of New Jersey.”

Debra Kagan, executive director of the New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition – “Over and over, engaging with the public through more than 50 public meetings, forums, and extensive local outreach, we have heard about the need for this linear park for northern New Jersey from the public, community, faith, and business leaders, and local elected officials. This vast support and the availability of capital funds within the state coupled with the environmental, economic, equity, and public health benefits of the Essex-Hudson Greenway make the state’s indecision to move ahead with the project inexplicable as it now puts the entire project at risk.”

Thomas Baxter, president of the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance – “It is of immediate concern to the 911 National Memorial Trail that NJ state leaders are not fully embracing the Essex-Hudson Greenway project. The Essex Hudson Greenway is a critical non-motorized infrastructure development opportunity in two of the most densely populated and underserved counties in New Jersey. We believe that New Jersey is missing a significant opportunity take a leadership role to accomplish this tremendous Trail that is part of completing the 1,300-mile alignment connecting the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City, the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.”

In addition to the above groups – and more than 100 others – the project has garnered support from a wide range of elected officials including New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, United States Representative Mikie Sherrill, Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill, State Senator Teresa Ruiz, Mayors Michael Gonnelli (Secaucus), Michael Melham (Belleville), Michael Venezia (Bloomfield), Stuart Patrick (Glen Ridge), Sean Spiller (Montclair), and Steven Fulop (Jersey City).

Montclair Town Councilman Peter Yacobellis was among those making a plea to Murphy to keep the greenway on track.

“Without quick action on your part, I believe Norfolk Southern will run down the clock of this current agreement, and then swiftly move to sell the line in pieces. Indeed, it is my understanding that there are already offers on the table,” Yacobellis wrote to the governor. “What they cannot sell, will simply fall into further neglect.”

• See related article: Plan To Create North Jersey Greenway Finds Support In Belleville
• See related article: Brendan Gill: 'Essex-Hudson Greenway' Would Provide Off-Road Recreation

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