Hoboken Reporter, July 9, 2000

Dear Editor:

The rampant development continues. Now there are plans for 950 units of housing at the site of the former Maxwell House factory. The developers of the Shipyard intend to build 120 units on the northern pier of the Shipyard. Stevens Institute plans to build two new office buildings and another 1000 or so parking spaces. Who knows how many other projects are in the works?

So, I have a few questions. I know where all these people are going to be housed, but where are we all going to live? Where will we lie in the sun on a nice day, and where will we play basketball? Where will our kids play catch? Where will they run and learn to ride their bikes? And where will the dogs be walked? In Elysian Park?

Elysian Park was so crowded the other day that there were fights breaking out over the swings. The only basketball court, which is pitched at an angle, was in use all afternoon. The dog run was overrun, and there were three or four people lying in the sun in the place where the kids play catch. I'm not blaming the sunbathers at all, it was a beautiful day, but can't we find some room to lie in the sun and just a little more to play ball? Must there be so much competition for space?

With some notable or should I say notorious exceptions, the City of Hoboken has done a reasonably good job of maintaining the height limits in town; however, density is another issue. A recently passed resolution to limit the density of new construction was overridden by the zoning board the very first time a developer requested a variance. There have been hundreds of variances granted which have allowed developers to build more, smaller apartments on a greater percentage of each lot. That eliminates the tranquil open spaces inside each block that have historically been one of the defining elements of Hoboken. As these spaces are eliminated, more and more pressure is put on the parks and walkways in town, since they become the only outdoor space that many people have.

The waterfront walkway should be both beautiful and useful, but it is hardly a solution for overcrowding. Let's face it, it's a 10 foot wide, concrete sidewalk, barely a place where teenagers on roller blades and older people walking can happily coexist, certainly not a panacea for all of our recreational needs, and now even the walkway is being threatened.

Both the Maxwell House project and the new proposal for the Shipyard call for housing and parking to be built on the piers across the waterfront walkway. Do we really want people driving across what should be a safe place to walk, jog, or teach a child to ride a bike?

I've been told that I shouldn't write this letter without making a positive suggestion about how to deal with the rate of development, so here's my suggestion.

How about if, instead of 950 apartments on the Maxwell House site, we build a few more blocks of low rise apartments or two family houses and kept a decent portion of it for new park and recreation space? I know that the developers would make less money than they had planned, but aren't we supposed to be planning for the collective good and not just for a developer's profit?

So the toddler playground at Columbus Park is closed and if it reopens it will abut a four-story apartment building. Our parks are crowded. You can no longer play frisbee with your dog in the parks. The population of the second ward will double in the next year, with only a tiny bit of additional park space; our recreation space is being swallowed up. Lined up end to end, we will be adding eight or nine miles of cars, and crossing the street is becoming hazardous to your health.

If these issues concern you, call your representative on the council, call the mayor, attend a zoning or planning board meeting, or call me. Our elected officials are politically astute and respond to public pressure. There is still time to save some open space, some of the qualities that make a town a community and not just a collection of warehouses for people. Collectively, we may be able to convince the city government to slow down this development enough that we can plan for our lives and not just our houses.

Carol Marsh
Hoboken