Hoboken Moves Forward with Eminent Domain- Great News for Union Dry Dock

Hoboken city officials pushing for their second bid to acquire the property through eminent domain. An ordinance has been added to the agenda of the Aug. 7 city council meeting authorizing the city to make an offer to New York Waterway for the purchase of the waterfront property.

“It’s great that Hoboken is moving forward to protect one of the last pieces of open space on the Hudson waterfront. If we can condemn land for highways and pipelines and private development, we should be able to condemn land for open space. This will help protect our properties and greenways. We congratulate the Mayor Bhalla for doing what is right for the city and standing up to political interests on behalf of the people,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “The use of eminent domain will help support the public trust doctrine since the land they are trying to build on is tidal and should belong to all of us. Governor Murphy should be supporting Hoboken and their attempt to preserve their waterfront for future generations.”

On July 29, A Hudson County judge dismissed an effort by New York Waterway to bypass Hoboken government in seeking permission to build a ferry maintenance and refueling facility on the city waterfront. New York Waterway bought the old Union Dry Dock site for $11.5 million in 2017. The city wants to use the site along Frank Sinatra Drive as public, open space.

“New York Waterway is trying to build in the middle of a greenway and river walk in Hoboken. This is a heavy industrial use that will increase air pollution and noise from diesel engines. The project would also interfere with the Hudson River walkway. There are alternatives sites for this facility that make more sense. The courts have upheld Hoboken’s rights and the city of Hoboken is fighting to protect them. The people of Hoboken have a right to have a say in how their waterfront land is used. They have a right to support a greenway and open space over an industrial facility that would bring more congestion and pollution into the area,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.