What’s the deal with this cruddy Hoboken sidewalk?

Hoboken411 reader Katie adds this decrepit area of town to the ongoing list of complaints…

“I’ve been a loyal 411 reader since 2008, and remember reading a number of stories about poor sidewalk conditions throughout Hoboken. From slippery to uneven, unsafe to unsanitary, I’ve got one more sidewalk complaint to add to the list – MISSING!“

“There is a vacant lot on River street between 2nd and 3rd that borders the W Hotel on one side.

Of the other three sides of the property, only one has a sidewalk. And I’m not even sure you can really qualify that bumpy lump of asphalt as a sidewalk. Not only is it full of potholes, but it’s littered with beer cans, broken glass, and trash. What’s really concerning is that this stretch of the “sidewalk” doesn’t have any lighting. The poor condition of the sidewalk makes it difficult to navigate in daylight, nevermind in the dark. But that’s not even the biggest problem.

As you’re walking downtown next to the sagging chain link fence of the abandoned lot, there are beer cans, broken glass, and trash everywhere. But here’s the kicker: As you round the corner making a left on 2nd, the sidewalk literally ends.

You now have the option of walking on a narrow dirt path strewn with trash, rocks, concrete barriers, and what appears to be electrical wires. Or, you could walk in the street. The side of the property bordering Sinatra also has no sidewalk, and doesn’t even offer a dirt path. The fence leaves only a few inches of dirt before the curb, forcing pedestrians to walk in the street.

The vacant lot is already an eyesore, but I’m surprised the city hasn’t taken action to at least build proper sidewalks and light the area. Being next to the pier, the area attracts a lot of traffic from walkers, runners, rollerbladers, and cyclists and it should have proper sidewalks. That stretch of Sinatra is also home to many popular restaurants and bars. I’ve left these establishments late at night after a few cocktails and had to cross the street or walk in the street and it makes for an unsafe situation because there is no lighting and cabs fly down that road.

It’s a beautiful area of Hoboken but the conditions surrounding the vacant lot really detract from it. Isn’t there something the city can do in the meantime until the lot is developed?”

Thanks,
Katie

411 Note: The same holds true for the sidewalk near Maxwell Place…

What do you think the city should do (besides paint more bike lanes?)

Hoboken NJ

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