Jersey Journal, November 15, 2003

Dear Editor:

In December 2002, the Planning Board approved the Maxwell House project that will add a generous five acres to Hoboken's waterfront park. A year ago, the connection between Pier A Park and Sinatra Park was opened to the public. Just a few days ago, the northern portion of Castle Point Park, a skate board park, was finished. Key links are being completed in what was originally conceived as a continuous park along the Hudson River from the Hoboken Terminal to the Weehawken Cove. This waterfront park is in constant use and is enjoyed by people from all walks of life. Hoboken is creating an exceptional waterfront.

Now, as retail uses begin to occupy the ground floor on the west side of Sinatra Drive at the south riverfront, a new dimension is added. Wolfgang Puck Express, the 3 Forty Grill and other retail activities will further animate our waterfront. This life and activity is sought by our urban planners who know how to create successful neighborhoods by design.

Unfortunately, Stevens Institute of Technology is threatening to undermine the exemplary progress of the past decade. The university is proposing to build a 386-foot-long parking garage facing the waterfront across from Sinatra Park. Instead of bringing life and activity to Hoboken's waterfront, the garage will blight this important site. Instead of offering up a building that will enhance the image of the campus and the park, Stevens wants to erect a bleak garage facade. Stevens has an opportunity to build classrooms and offices with the most extraordinary of views but has instead chosen to provide those views to automobiles.

Across the street, north of the soccer field, Stevens seeks to place a 400-foot-long wave tank building that would privatize most of the area that should be another key addition to our waterfront park connecting Sinatra Park to Castle Point Park. The wave tank and its corresponding facilities would easily fit within new buildings at the garage site. And these buildings would shield from view an unsightly garage. The resulting smaller garage could sufficiently serve the needs of Stevens students and faculty.

Stevens' proposal for this 725-car garage is replete with problems. Fifth Street will be forced to tunnel through the structure and connect with Sinatra Drive 120 feet to the north. For those passing by at night, the glaring halogen garage lights will be in your face for the 386-foot length and 40-foot height of the garage. This garage will offer hourly parking, resulting in substantial turnover each day. This considerable traffic will spill out directly across the street from the Little League field on Fifth Street and the soccer field on Sinatra Drive.

Fortunately, there is hope. What Stevens proposes is illegal. In requesting so many variances, the university is asking the Zoning Board, in effect, to legislate a new ordinance to accommodate this project. In deference to the Hoboken Zoning Ordinance, the Zoning Board should deny this application.

Help to defeat this ill-conceived project. Come to the next hearing on Tuesday evening, Nov. 18, at 8 p.m. at City Hall. Please visit our Web site for more information: www.betterwaterfront.org.

Ron Hine, Fund for a Better Waterfront