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Xana DON’T
26
October
10/26/2009:
[Note: Continuing the series of article contributions from Hoboken411 reader Andrew - who has volunteered to share his perspectives of the world we live in. Share your thoughts in the comments section!]
How will this mega mess affect Hoboken?
You’ve driven past it. You’ve read about the jobs and revenue it’s supposed to generate. Perhaps you’ve even been to an event at the Meadowlands recently and wondered, “What the hell is that monstrosity and will it ever open?” A wonder it is indeed, but not the kind its developers envisioned when the project broke ground over ten years ago. Originally slated to open in 2007, the date has been pushed back year after year due to construction setbacks, environmental concerns and something we New Jerseyans know all too well — investigations into bribery and financial issues involving some of the companies funding the project.
Unfortunately we’re so saturated by reports of corrupt politicians and real estate developers that it’s not surprising to learn that such problems surround the construction of a 4.5 million square foot glorified mall. What is surprising and seemingly overlooked by many local residents is how much we’ll be affected by traffic in the area. Five years ago I joked that by 2010 we’d need a helicopter to get in and out of town, but by the time Xanadon’t actually opens that might be a reality. Present conditions and overpopulation in Hudson County already require any daytripper to plan around rush hour.
As you all know rush hour in and around Hoboken seems to last from about 6:30am until 10:30pm.
Sucks already – can only get worse
They’ve already begun rerouting highways and adding exits from Routes 3, 17 and 120 in order to accommodate the “millions” of visitors they expect from near and far. After all this is New Jersey and we all love our cars so it only makes sense to drive to this new “wonder of the world.” Besides, if you attended one of the U2 Concerts last month you’re well aware that taking the train can be more maddening than sitting in an hour of traffic to travel the five miles back to Hoboken. While there used to be buses on game days, NJ Transit seems to think that one rail will be sufficient in accommodating the estimated 20,000 taking the train to and from the Stadium for concerts, games, etc.
So, after a decade since breaking ground, breaking promises and erecting one of the largest eyesores in human history there seems to be a waft of hope rising from the swamps of East Rutherford. Hope of what, I’m not sure. It would seem that Xanadu is the perfect symbol of the excess and greed that has plagued us over the last ten years. The final plans have been wisely scaled back in recent years due to financial concerns and project heads finally understanding that even though it’s important to dream big, it’s equally important to pair those dreams with a realistic vision.
October 27th 2009 - 17:40:01 |
To be honest, it really does not matter who you elect for mayor or governor; or any public official for that matter. I think it is, or at least should be, relatively well established by now that to hold any type public position that directly affects voters and their quality of life, you need to have a prerequisite of being an absolute failure in fiscal responsibility and understanding as well as hold no realistic/logical goals for your constituency.
Just saying…
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October 27th 2009 - 17:46:21 |
You forget, most politicians are beholden to the unions. So they are very “fiscally responsible” when it comes to representing their interests. I suggest you vote against anyone w/ an endorsement from the SEIU (and other unions that rep state/muni workers) b/c the interests of the unions are not at all aligned w/ the interests of the rest of the citizens no matter how much they pretend otherwise.
In response to Hoboken1201 who said:
Just saying…
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October 27th 2009 - 19:57:02 |
Probably designed by the protege of the person that named it. Check out the website: blue ribbon for audacity with that Pepsi logo on the ferris wheel! People 20 miles away won’t get lost because they can just aim for the world’s largest logo; consistent with the “monument to excess” motif that ‘Xanadu’, implies. Not a good destination on Black Friday if the Giants are playing a home game.
So, OK. Famous NJ elephants:
South Jersey has “Lucy the Margate Elephant”.
North Jersey has “Xanadu the White Elephant”
In response to arielspace who said:
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October 28th 2009 - 11:04:41 |
It’s not only homely, it’s not even green (this from a major NJ news source);
“The DEP and the Meadowlands Commission initially planned to require Xanadu to obtain certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. The LEED program rates buildings for green elements such as energy and water efficiency, recycled materials and indoor air quality.
However, under Gov. James E. McGreevey, the state scaled back that mandate, instead urging Xanadu to use LEED and other environmental standards “to the extent practicable. ”
Jeff Tittel, head of the state’s Sierra Club chapter, said the enormous complex should do more to decrease its impact on the environment. Doing so would help Xanadu save money or make money, he said.
“The problem with Xanadu is they didn’t even try,” he said.”
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October 28th 2009 - 12:39:52 |
To be elected, a politician has to look “nice” and clean cut (JFK and Peter Cammarano), has to appeal to your emotions instead of your mind (Barak Obama), and cannot tell you that you will have to tighten your belt, buckle down, and do without (H. Ross Perot and Ron Paul).
It’s a fact demonstrated by many elections at all levels that people don’t vote for their own interests, for the long term, or with their heads; instead, they choose by looking emotionally at their wallets with a horizon of maybe three months.
In response to Hoboken1201 who said:
Just saying…
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October 28th 2009 - 19:13:28 |
Right and right. However, even if the best man/woman should win, he or she still invariably finds a way to botch things. Whether it is unions, corporations or sheer stupidity, it really does not matter who is in office. Unless the U.S. finds a way to run it’s government as an actually effective government rather than a business corporation, its citizenry will continue to be unhappy on both sides of the road. Xanadu is just another example of that brazen cockiness that plagues our state and country’s management skills.
In response to Thomas Jefferson who said:
It’s a fact demonstrated by many elections at all levels that people don’t vote for their own interests, for the long term, or with their heads; instead, they choose by looking emotionally at their wallets with a horizon of maybe three months.
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