Councilman DeFusco Steps Up to Lead Community Conversation About Hoboken Yard Redevelopment Plan in Mayor’s Absence

HOBOKEN, N.J. — While the administration touted a public discussion about the proposed amendments to the Hoboken Yard Redevelopment Plan, Mayor Ravi Bhalla failed to attend last night’s community meeting to listen to residents voice their concerns and ask questions about the project. In his absence, Councilman Mike DeFusco, who chairs the City’s Council’s Southern Development Subcommittee, fielded questions from close to 100 residents about the plan alongside the developers and other stakeholders in the project.

“Last night, Mayor Bhalla failed to deliver on his promise to hear the concerns of residents about a redevelopment plan that could forever alter downtown Hoboken and our entire city,” said Councilman Mike DeFusco. “The Mayor’s absence from this critical community meeting, one that was scheduled by his own office, further shows he is continuing to hide behind our emergency alert system to communicate with residents instead of meeting with them face to face. Given the growing concern about additional traffic in our neighborhood, it is important for us to make traffic and feasibility studies available for everyone to review before a second vote is held by the City Council. I remain committed to a responsible redevelopment plan in southern Hoboken and I’m confident that once the appropriate documents and information are made public, we can move a plan forward by years end.

Councilman DeFusco supports the Council President’s decision to postpone a vote on the project until the feedback received last night can be reviewed.

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