HOBOKEN REPORTER, MARCH 8, 1997

Dear Editor,

I want to urge Mayor Russo and the City Council to reconsider the proposed Devil's stadium and baseball museum. Despite the Mayor's assurance to the contrary in the letter that accompanied our tax bills, it's hard to imagine that these two projects (or even one alone) would not significantly affect the quality of life in Hoboken. Even if it were possible to keep additional traffic outside of Hoboken's borders - a big "if' - the sheer volume of increased pedestrian traffic on our streets which these projects would bring is alarming. With all the problems Hoboken has had keeping the bar scene under control can the city really hope to handle the thousands of additional visitors these projects would attract? In any case, Pier C was supposed to be set aside for public recreational use a part of the city's waterfront plans. Hoboken residents need more public open space and greater access to the waterfront, not less.

These projects could jeopardize the very qualities that make Hoboken such a desirable place to live and to visit especially its small town feel and safe streets. Besides, given this amount of new construction currently underway on the waterfront, wouldn't it be wise to see how that affects the city before initiating any more large projects? Everyone agrees Hoboken needs rateables, but not if the changes required to bring in the extra tax revenue irrevocably alter the character of the city and quality of life here.

Nancy Carnevale