Hoboken Reporter, April 14, 2002

Dear Editor:

As a resident of Hudson Street I've been following the progress of the Maxwell House project. I will be so happy when that ugly eyesore of a factory is gone and I can comfortably walk that block with my daughter. However, the seeming land grab being orchestrated by Stevens and which is supported by our newly elected mayor is just shameless. From what I've seen and read it is obvious that something along the Hoboken waterfront stinks, and it's not the Hudson at low tide. Why would Stevens spend thousands of dollars on a "concept" plan for property they don't own? Or is even for sale?

In fact, the owners of the Maxwell House property have put forth a project that is an excellent use of urban land. That is not just my opinion, it's the City of Hoboken's. I know this because the developer's plans call for no, zero, zip, variances. It conforms to all the city guidelines. The Hoboken Brownstone Company is playing by the rules. How many variances would Stevens' concept plan require from the City of Hoboken, the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers? The current Stevens' plan calls for building out over the river, remember Westway? None of this seems to matter to Stevens and our new mayor from doing all they can to kill the Maxwell House project. Why? Maybe because if the owners can't develop their own property they'll have to sell it, and cheap. Now that stinks!

I'd rather live with four active, vibrant city blocks than with more college campus. I'd rather live with a real waterfront park, like those lucky folks downtown have Pier A, than next to a private sports facility. I'd rather live with the daily comings and goings of two thousand residents compared to the crush of five thousand sport fans coming to and leaving an event. That's in addition to the traffic every morning and afternoon of eight hundred middle/high schoolers, their parents and teachers. Where will all those cars and buses park, drop off, and pick up? And what road will they travel? Hudson Street. My street. Especially since Stevens' plan would close or disrupt Sinatra Drive.

How could anyone think that a project that causes more traffic and less parking be better than a project that gives the city more traffic options and several hundred free on street parking spots? How could anyone compare a small park with buildings and obstructed views of Manhattan with a real five acre park right on the river! How could anyone propose building a new school when all efforts should be to reform the schools we already have!

Everyone is for a better educational system, sane development and more open space. But make no mistake, Stevens' plan is not about education reform, sane development, public or private ownership of our open space; to me it's about greed, power and influence.

Steve Trevisan
Hoboken