Mayor Bhalla thanks Governor Murphy, State legislators for $100 million Rebuild by Design funding

The Rebuild by Design project to protect Hoboken from flooding was recently provided an additional $100 million by Governor Phil Murphy and the State of New Jersey. The historic funding will be utilized for construction costs associated with the Rebuild by Design project including the above-ground flood mitigation infrastructure at Harborside Park, transforming it into a resiliency park at 15th and Garden Streets that will protect Hoboken from rising sea levels and storm surge from the Hudson River. The award was allocated for the project through the State’s yearly budgeting process.

“To say that I am extremely grateful to Governor Murphy and his team for this historic funding would be an understatement,” said Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla. “Make no mistake about it, the $100 million to bolster our defense against rising sea levels and storm surge events will help ensure that our Rebuild by Design project will have the necessary funding to be seen through to completion. Harborside Park will become a national model for a park design that not only provides important open space amenities to our residents, but also resists storm surge from the Hudson River. This significant award is a clear signal from the Governor and our state legislators that they are fully committed to funding critical infrastructure projects which will help us adapt to the inevitable effects of climate change, and ensure our homes and businesses are protected from storms like Superstorm Sandy for years to come. Thank you also to Senator Brian P. Stack, and Assemblymembers Annette Chaparro and Raj Mukherji for their assistance in fighting for this crucial funding.”

After soliciting input from residents through community engagement sessions, the final design of the three-acre park includes above-ground amenities including a dog run, passive lawn areas, playground space, a waterfront plaza, seating areas, and more. The park will become the first park in New Jersey with elevated flood protection features.

The Rebuild by Design project, which broke ground in the fall of 2021, recently saw the completion of the replacement of underground sewers in portions of north and south Hoboken. The new sewer system will help prevent storm surge from breaching Hoboken underground, and will complement the above-ground “resist” features of the project.

The first phase of funding for the Rebuild by Design project includes $230 million in federal funding through the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Construction on Harborside Park is scheduled to begin by the spring of 2023.