How Pressure Mounted for Development in Hoboken
Source: The New York Times
By Patrick McGeehan and Charles V Bagli
Jan. 29, 2014
HOBOKEN, N.J. — Last May 8, a severe rainstorm left the streets of this city flooded once again, causing the mayor, Dawn Zimmer, to recall the inundation from Hurricane Sandy.
So she dashed off a letter to Gov. Chris Christie, imploring him to help with Hoboken’s “ongoing flooding emergency,” and attached photos of cars in water up to their hoods. She was due to meet the next day with officials of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, when she hoped to talk about protecting Hoboken from the next catastrophic deluge to come.
But according to newly obtained emails sent among the participants, the first topic of discussion on the agenda was “review of concepts for flood control measures at Rockefeller property,” a reference to a billion-dollar office complex proposed at the north end of town. The developer, the Rockefeller Group, which had long been trying to gain approval from local officials, sent two executives, two lobbyists and an engineer to the meeting.
Mayor Zimmer, through a spokesman, said on Wednesday that she went to the meeting but refused to discuss the project, feeling it was premature to do so.
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/30/nyregion/powerful-allies-pushed-a-project-in-new-jersey.html?hp&_r=0
The noose is tightening around Christie and his administration. I'm so glad that mayor Zimmer stood her ground. Before her tenure previous mayors were too cozy with developers, to the detriment of the existing citizens. Hoboken has gone from a working class town (as depicted "On the Waterfront"
to an upscale neighborhood for wealthy young people (the majority of residents are in their 20s and 30s). The over-development has pushed out many old residents who could not afford the property taxes (the highest in the county), nor the astronomical rents.
The last thing the town needs is the Rockefeller Group's proposed 40 story building. The tallest building in town currently is 25 stories. We are only a square mile, for goodness sakes!!!
I didn't know Zimmer very well before this fracas came to light, but my respect for her has gone up substantially. Kudos to her for standing against the Rockefeller Group and Christie's goons.
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Drip, drip, drip........
Other than the governor himself, who is higher up the food chain than the Lt. governor?