I received this update via email from Dawn Zimmer's Campaign earier this morning on the status of the South West Park:
SouthWest Park Update
from Mayoral Candidate Dawn Zimmer
As many of you may have heard, the property owner of Block 14 is building a steakhouse on his property in Southwest Hoboken. This land is a small part of the total property identified in the Master Plan as parkland for a large park in our neighborhood. The fight for a park in the SW is part of the reason that I chose to run for Council and then for Mayor, so I want to explain how we can eventually achieve the large park envisioned for our neighborhood.
Here's the situation:
The Block 14 property owner is building within his "right of way." He is building a 2-story, approximately 2,000 sq. ft restaurant with an outdoor cafe. He got permits from the building dept., but did not need to get any approvals for a variance from the zoning board because he is building within the commercial zoning limits. He is in the process of getting approvals from the County, since his property abuts a county road. I am told that he is not changing the curb cuts in any way, so his approval from the County will probably be a formality.
The fight for a park and next steps:
In order to achieve our goal for a large park in our neighborhood, the City of Hoboken must work with the largest property owner, Academy Bus. If elected, I will restart negotiations with Academy Bus immediately.
As members of the original Southwest Parks Coalition nearly two years ago, Dave Mello and I were part of an effort to try to work with Academy Bus to create a large park for the neighborhood. Some members of the Steering Committee, including Dave, participated in discussions with Academy Bus and I participated in discussions with Mayor Roberts. Academy Bus was willing to work with us to try to create a plan for a park. Unfortunately Mayor Roberts was not willing to work in good faith with either Academy or the community to make the park happen.
My frustration with trying to advocate for balanced development in the Southwest, and other neighborhoods, was part of what led me to run for Mayor with a Council slate that shares my vision for changing the way we do development in our town. As an active parent of young children in the SW, I know firsthand that our neighborhood lacks the park space that is needed.
My view on the situation:
I do believe the steakhouse will provide a needed amenity in our neighborhood, since we barely have any restaurants in the 4th Ward. Hopefully we will be able to close Jackson Street for at least part of the day as part of an overall park plan, and this restaurant will provide "eyes on the future park" that will help ensure a safer park with more people around and watching. (The restaurant plans to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner).
Again, in order to achieve the largest park possible, we need to start negotiations with the largest property owner. Given our fiscal situation, and the nearly $50 million appraisal for the entire 6-acre park area, (the estimated cost of buying all the land outright for the park) we must begin by negotiating with Academy Bus.
If elected on June 9th, I will begin immediate discussions with Academy and the other property owners so that the process of creating the Southwest Park can be moved forward as quickly as possible. My administration will not just talk about new parks, it will build them.
Thanks for listening. Please contact me if you have questions.
Regards,
Dawn Zimmer
Editor's Comment:
I checked Peter Cammarano's Website and Facebook page as well as my email for any new updates and have not seen any thing new yet. This also includes the two independents from Beth Mason's slate that have appeared to make it(Morales and Addeo).
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