What is wrong with this concept?

I still think that back when I introduced this concept of “expanding” Hoboken into the Hudson River like they did over in Battery Park was a missed opportunity for our city. While we clamor over lame parks and open space, parking, etc – this doesn’t seem like a far-fetched idea – and can bring many good things to our city. I guess we’ll have to wait until more capable, forward-thinking individuals are running the show around here.

What purpose does that cove serve exactly?

Hoboken’s own Battery Park?

Was speaking to a business owner in town the other day – and he said he had “the perfect plan” for Hoboken. Here’s a rough outline of what he suggested (to the best of my recollection):

1. The Hoboken Cove/Inlet by the uptown bridges is a waste – and goes largely unused.
2. Construction companies would PAY Hoboken to dump their raw material landfill there.
3. Get Federal Grant monies to build/construct the land.
4. Generate Revenue: Demolish and sell the High School – and the Football Field (approx $50 million).
5. Move H.S. and field to the new location – along with many other fields, courts and open space.

A whole neighborhood in Manhattan was built in the exact same manner – why not Hoboken?

QotD: What do you think of this concept?

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See what you could put in that space?

Submit your own questions!

[If you have a question you'd like to get public opinion on - feel free to send an email to Hoboken411. Subject must start with QotD - and follow the same format: Opening statement - then Question.]

Technorati Tags: Battery Park, Concept, Expand, Expanding Hoboken, Extra Land, Extra Space, Hoboken, Hoboken Cove, Hoboken411, Hudson River, Inlet, Landfill, New Jersey, NJ, QOTD, Question of the day, Real Estate

Hoboken Street Dangers?

As many of you know, lots of “sidewalk work” is taking place all around town, whether it’s traffic light upgrades, or robotic parking meters and intersection improvements.

In some cases, sharp metal wires are exposed, that might lead some kids to want to play with them – and possibly take an eye out or cause a skin puncture and infection.

Watch your kids when near these sloppy work areas!

Technorati Tags: Children, Dangerous Conditons, Hoboken, intersections, New Jersey, NJ, Parking Meters, Sidewalk Hazards

Poor lighting and shoddy roads in Hoboken

Hoboken411 reader Paul talks about an incident that took place last week near 9th & Grand.

Shoddy conditions all around led to his wife snapping her ankle!

“On Thursday night while walking to our car from Holy Thursday church services at about 8:50pm, my wife fell and broke her ankle while stepping off the curb to go to our car. The closest street lamp is at the other end of the block making this area extremely dark and the pavement is broken down to the cobblestones. This happened on the south side of 9th Street just west of Grand. I took following pictures the next day.”

Hoboken positives come from good Samaritans

“On the good side, there was a lady passing by on the other side of the street who came and stood with us until the ambulance came, making sure that my wife was protected from passing traffic as she lay on the street. I did not get her name but we are both very grateful. In addition the three EMS workers from the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corp were professional, courteous and compassionate. We were very impressed.

Paul“

Technorati Tags: 9th Street, cobblestone, crubmling infrastructure, Dangerous Conditions, grand street, Hoboken, Letter to the Editor, lighting, New Jersey, NJ, Reader Mail, roads, Street Lamps

[Reminiscing Hoboken411's Five Year Anniversary...]

Does Hoboken qualify for new city slogans since 2009?

Bumping this entertaining post from 2009 – and wondering if Hoboken can sneak some new city slogans into the mix, such as:

• “Black is the new transparency!”
• “Pothole, Sinkhole and Bike Lane Capital of the World!”
• “Heaven, Hypocrisy or Hoboken!”
• “Where Oscar Rulez!”

Can you add any?

Hoboken QotD: Is it time for a new city slogan?

Like a broken record, we’ve heard the phrases “Birthplace of Baseball” and “The Mile Square” a million times – along with “Frank Sinatra,” “Gold Coast,” and the “6th Borough” as well.

Some easy (yet snarky) alternatives could be:

• “Corruption Capital of the World!”
• “Most flooding per square mile!”
• “Want to get “Dweked?” Come to Hoboken!”
• “Every day seems like election day!”

QotD: If you were put in charge of creating a new slogan for the city of Hoboken – what would it be?

Submit your own questions!

[If you have a question you'd like to get public opinion on - feel free to send an email to Hoboken411. Subject must start with QotD - and follow the same format: Opening statement - then Question.]

Technorati Tags: 6th Borough, Baseball, Birthplace, frank sinatra, Gold Coast, Hoboken, Hoboken411, Motto, New, New Hoboken Slogan, New Jersey, NJ, QOTD, Question of the day, slogan

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?)

Technorati Tags: Dangerous Conditions, Hoboken, Hoboken411, Letter to the Editor, New Jersey, NJ, quality of life, Reader Mail, sidewalk, treacherous, Unsafe, W Hotel

2/12/2011 Update:

Blockbuster begins Hoboken phase out

We all already know that Blockbuster Video is closing their Hoboken location (amongst many others).

They recently started the inventory clearance, and hung this massive banner on the storefront. I just found it very funny that they had to clarify that it was “this location only.”

See previous Blockbuster history after the jump…

[Click to continue reading the rest....]

Technorati Tags: Bankruptcy, blockbuster, Business Entries, Doomed, Hoboken, New Jersey, NJ, QOTD, Question of the day