Cristin Cricco-Powell Calls on City Council to Back Mayor Bhalla’s Proposal to Purchase Union Dry Dock Property through Eminent Domain

Cristin Cricco-Powell today called on Councilwoman Giattino and the rest of the Council to vote for Mayor Bhalla’s proposal to purchase the Union Dry Dock property through eminent domain in order to turn it into a public park. This would prevent New York Waterway from using the site for a refueling depot that is ill-suited for the Hoboken waterfront.  Cricco-Powell is running for the 6^th Ward Council seat currently held by Giattino.

“We cannot to go backwards to the industrial waterfront of my childhood. We must prevent New York Waterway from from constructing a refueling depot.” said Cristin Cricco-Powell. “I ask the entire City Council to vote for Mayor Bhalla’s proposal to purchase the property by eminent domain at the Aug. 7 Council meeting.  It’s our last best hope to do it.”

Cricco-Powell added, “Residents of Hoboken have been fighting for our beautiful waterfront for decades, let’s honor that work and build on the great work we’ve already accomplished by creating a public park at Union Dry Dock.”

Cricco- Powell noted in 2017  Mayor Zimmer, upon learning the Union Dry Dock was closing down it’s operations, tried to initiate negotiations to purchase the property. UDD refused to even talk to the City.  Mayor Zimmer feared that without expeditious action, the opportunity to acquire the property for open space could be lost forever.  She asked the Ciy Council for immediate authority to use eminent domain to protect the City’s interests, specifically telling the Council that the matter was urgent and time was of the essence.    Jen Giattino, who was Council President at the time and running for Mayor, postponed the vote despite the strong objections of Mayor Zimmer, then Councilman Bhalla, and Councilman Jim Doyle.  Giattino refused to act expeditiously, openly admitting she was concerned about politics and postponed action until after the election.

Cristin Cricco-Powell said, “This time it’s vital that Councilwoman Giattino and the rest of the Council get it right. This is about the future of our town and what we want Hoboken to be.”