Municipal Garage Update: Weehawken and Hoboken to Share Garage Temporarily

The latest on the Municipal Garage developments from City Hall....

HOBOKEN AND WEEHAWKEN ENTER SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC WORKS OPERATIONS

(Agreement will avoid closure of Clinton Street)

Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Mayor Richard Turner Weehawken - Photo Credit City of Hoboken

Since assuming office, Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer has been in discussions with neighboring municipalities to explore sharing services for municipal vehicle storage. Throughout the process, Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner expressed strong interest in working with Hoboken if a suitable site could be obtained.

The day after Hoboken’s City Council voted to approve the closure of Clinton Street between 15th and 16th Streets for the storage of municipal vehicles, an opportunity arose that appeared to meet the needs of both municipalities. In the past, the same location had been discussed as a potential joint use location by the administrations of Weehawken and Hoboken. Mayor Zimmer and Mayor Turner immediately began negotiations to move forward together to share services between the two municipalities. The agreement is for joint use and equitable sharing of storage space at 1714-16 Willow Avenue. Freeholder Anthony L. Romano assisted in helping to identify the site as a potential location.

New Temporary Garage location

On Friday, July 23, the City of Hoboken entered into an agreement with Willow Avenue Enterprises, LLC for vehicle and parts storage services at the proposed joint services site, 1714-16 Willow Avenue -- a property located within Hoboken city limits on the North end of the Willow Avenue bridge. As a result of this agreement, Clinton Street will not be closed to vehicular traffic at this time.

The initial period of the agreement is for 60 days but can be extended by both municipalities for two additional 180 day periods. The cost is $15,000 per month. Hoboken and Weehawken will use this period to determine whether extending this arrangement for a longer term is in the interests of both municipalities.

If this temporary arrangement is determined to continue, the municipalities will work towards a long-term solution which may involve other neighboring municipalities and agencies.

The location includes both an interior garage and parts storage space and an exterior parking area for both municipality’s vehicles and salt storage. No garbage will be stored at the facility.

Vehicular traffic will be routed in such a way as to avoid residential neighborhoods.

Link: http://www.hobokennj.org/news/hoboken-and-weehawken-enter-shared-services-agreement-for-certain-public-works-operations/

Editor's note: The Zimmer Administration was able to do this deal without City Council approval since the 2-month deal is under the new annual threshold of $36,000 per annum for bid waivers. According to a City Hall source, this deal only became available the day after the City Council approved the temporary solution between 15th and 16th and Clinton. ◦

Municipal Garage Update: Weehawken and Hoboken to Share Garage Temporarily