Jersey Journal, February 1, 2005

Dear Editor:

Editors note: This is a letter sent to Mayor David Roberts.

The new Open Space Plan which you revealed January 20, 2005, can only lead me and many other Hoboken citizens to be disappointed in you and to distrust your promises.

Last year, during at least four meetings with members of the various groups involved in trying to save 800 Jackson for open space (“the Group of 7”), as well as numerous phone calls to me, you proclaimed again and again that you were totally committed to 800 Jackson Street as open space. You showed us a map at the last meeting we had with you which showed an anticipated swap of land between the developer of 800 Jackson for a portion of the City Garage lot on Observer Highway. After that meeting there was dead silence. If you were in the process of changing your mind, a meeting with us could have easily been arranged so that you could at least have presented your rationale for the change and given us a chance to present alternatives.

At the same time you were telling us we would stay “at the table,” you were also continuously asking for letters to the editor in praise of you. All of us in the Group of 7 were anxious to provide you with pats-on-the-back, but not until something actually bore a resemblance to reality. As it turns out, we were right in holding off. Pats-on-the-back are easy to give but very hard to retract.

In the summer a few of us met with you (accompanied by Councilman Ramos) to discuss open space issues. You agreed with us that 900 Monroe should be open space. You even indicated that you would have the city planner, the engineer and the counsel to the Zoning Board present objections to the plan for the high rise building proposed at 900 Monroe which requires numerous variances. When we talked later, you said not to worry because if that Board decided to OK the project, it could be appealed to the City Council where you could get a majority vote to negate the Board’s decision. So much for promises.

How has all of this gone so very wrong? Why have you so completely reversed yourself, not only on these two properties but other open space areas noted in the Master Plan which you proclaimed you would see enforced?

Even though I was pleased to see your intent for 1600 Park as parkland, I can now only worry about it ever happening. Because of the double-cross regarding the two western properties, we can only ask what will happen later this year. If you win the mayoralty again, will 1600 Park also become just another location for a high rise condo building?

I have been willing all through our discussions to give you the benefit of the doubt since you sounded so sincere, but it appears that when the plans become difficult to put into place, you give up the fight. It takes courage to face down developers as well as the pro-development factions that surround you at City Hall. We offered to help you with planning and acquisition of funding but you have shunned us.

I still have hopes that we might be able to help in some way. I can assure you that we intend to keep the faith we have in acquiring open space for the future teeming population of this city. We will go forward with the courage and commitment we thought that you possessed.

Helen S. Manogue
Hoboken