All of a sudden, one pump is enough for Hoboken?

One pump, four pumps, which is it?

Mayor Dawn Zimmer recently said that the one flooding pump on Observer Highway would solve 90% of Hoboken’s flooding problems.

However, back in 2008 – then Councilwoman Zimmer went on record to say that four pumps were necessary to alleviate most of the flooding in Hoboken – and even those four pumps wouldn’t solve the problem entirely (like during the two major storms we had here in August of 2011.)

“Once all four pumps are operational, our flooding problem should be significantly reduced. Infrequent flooding could still occur if an exceptionally severe storm occurs at high tide, but the regular flooding that we experience now should be a thing of the past. While each pump, as it comes on line, will help alleviate the problem somewhat, all four pumps are needed for the system to be fully effective.”

Makes you wonder – that if even four costly pumps can’t prevent flooding during “exceptionally severe” storms, perhaps it’s time to put the thinking caps on and go back to the drawing board instead of wasting everyone’s time with false hope?

Construction starts on toy-pump

4/24/2010 Update:

They started construction on the wacky wet weather pumping station this week along Observer Highway downtown. Despite what city officials say – this single pump isn’t expected to solve the flooding problem in Hoboken. Funny how elected politicians like to forget certain parts of history. Which is why I’m here to remind you not to get your hopes up. Poop tomatoes will always be in season in the Mile Square.

Sewerage Authority says one pump essentially useless

City has no plans for additional installations…

3/29/2010 Update:

With today’s drenching rains potentially hampering the city of Hoboken once again – here’s a recent report from WYNC Radio – which talks about Hoboken’s flooding problems. NHSA Project Manager Philip Reeves said: “one pump is not going to solve the issue, especially in heavy storms.“

At the same time, recent Zimmer appointee Jennifer Wenson-Maier doesn’t really speak much about how useless the single pump will be, but rather that the city is broke and can’t afford to do it right. And instead, will try cheaper, less effective methods “We will be implementing green, natural ways to try to improve the situation, and when whenever we do any new construction we make sure that it’s constructed above the flood level.”

Yeah, like a few strips of grass will combat the tsunami of water and garbage. Uh huh. Hey – over here, look! A bridge for sale!

Wet Weather Pump coming in 2010

12/7/2009 Update:

North Hudson Sewerage Authority has stepped up, and has begun the process to finally build a single pump station in the Southeast part of Hoboken.

Questions still remain whether additional pumps are necessary, or if costly wireless technology can do the trick (as Stevens Engineers have already said they won’t).

“The North Hudson Sewerage Authority awarded a contract of $17,605,500 to build a wet-weather pump station on Observer Highway in Hoboken designed to alleviate serious flooding during a special meeting on Monday evening. The contract has been given to Anselmi & DeCicco, Inc. located in Maplewood.

The project involves the construction of a wet weather pump station to be located in the southeastern section of the city on Observer Highway. The final design for the pump station has been completed by the Authority’s engineer for the project, CH2M Hill. The Authority has already received Treatment Works Approval, Waterfront Development Permit, and HEP Soil Erosion and Sediment Control permits. Authorization to proceed from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is anticipated within a week of the awarding of the bid. Construction will begin in February 2010. The pump station is expected to be operational by November 2010. The entire project, which includes a new river outfall and pre-treatment facility, is scheduled to be competed in by the end of 2011.

Dr. Richard J. Wolff, the Authority Chairman, said: “Street flooding during serious rain events has been a problem in Hoboken for generations. We are finally beginning a process that will go a long way to addressing the most serious incidents. The construction of this wet weather pump station should alleviate most flooding problems, particularly in the southwestern sections of the city. This area is highly flood-prone because the ground elevations are close to, or in some cases below, sea levels of the Hudson River. Although we do not expect that this one pump station will entirely eliminate all flooding incidents throughout the city, it will certainly improve the situation substantially.”

The project’s cost will be borne by the Authority. Five million dollars of the project will come from a federal stimulus grant, secured through the intervention of Senators Bob Menendez and Frank Lautenberg and Congressman Albio Sires. The balance will be financed through the Authority’s participation in the New Jersey State Revolving Loan Fund, which provides long-term, low-interest infrastructure loans to qualified entities. The project has received strong support from local elected officials as well, including State Senator Brian Stack and Assemblypersons Ruben Ramos, Jr., Caridad Rodriguez, Freeholders Anthony Romano, Jose Munoz, Tilo Rivas and Mayor Dawn Zimmer.”

So, who advocated for this pump in the first place? Contrary to what you were told in the last election it wasn’t Dawn Zimmer. Watch this brief 2007 video for the answer:

Roberts seeks out Stimulus bucks to help

2/18/2009:

As you probably already know – the “miracle pumps” to combat Hoboken flooding has been a topic for quite a while.

The total cost for these four pumps for Hoboken would likely cost over $40 million dollars when it’s all said and done – and they barely have money now to cover even one pump – so Mayor Dave Roberts is pledging for some Obama Bucks to help get this project done once and for all… God, for the benefit of the town – hopefully he can succeed.

See the ABC News video here (brief snippit towards the end).

Technorati Tags: Chris Campos, Federal Stimulus, Flood, flooding, Flooding Pump, Hoboken, Mayor Roberts, New Jersey, NHSA, NJ, North Hudson Sewerage Authority, Pump, Pumps, Stevens Institute