Jersey Journal, April 23, 2002

Dear Editor:

The proposal for Stevens Institute of Technology to build a new, innovative public technical school at the old Maxwell House site in Hoboken seems on the surface to be an intriguing idea. It would offer prestige to what appears to be a worthy venture. When reading the details of the story in the Jersey Journal, however, there are a number of concerns regarding the true cost.

Most of the project is expected to be funded by the state, which will be very expensive. Considering that the state is running a $5 billion deficit, this project does not look like a sure bet.

The mayor states that the taxes from the site, if fully developed as previously planned, could yield millions of dollars in annual tax revenue for the city. He is willing, however, for the city to forego a substantial amount of this revenue for the sake of building a new school and ballfield. I wonder if the taxpayers of Hoboken feel that this project is worth the sacrifice.

In the article, Mr. Daniel Gans mentions that the new site plans would involve substantial height and parking variances and increased traffic flow in an already congested area. This is something most residents on Hudson Street would certainly strongly object to.

Finally, it was stated that the school would be open to residents outside of Hoboken, recognizing the dwindling number of school-age children residing in the city. It was mentioned that Hoboken High School has a capacity for 2,500 students but its current enrollment is only 800.

It is evident that Hoboken doesn't have a sufficient number of students to support two public high schools. It is also obvious that the current high school has adequate space to house a new public technical school. The present school, though less glamorous than a waterfront school, could receive additional state funding for upgrading to the benefit of all city students, and in the process, it would save the taxpayers of New Jersey and Hoboken a bundle as well.

Scott Wasmuth
Bayonne