After closing down Jefferson Street in Hoboken last weekend as part of an “open streets” pilot, Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla announced today the continuation of Hoboken’s open streets pilot this weekend on Adams Street between 3rd and 9th Streets. The Hoboken street will be closed to vehicular traffic Saturday the 9th and Sunday the 10th from 8AM until 8PM to provide pedestrians and cyclists room to maintain proper social distancing and alleviate overcrowding in other public spaces, according to City Hall.
“The purpose of the open streets pilot is to provide additional space for social distancing for residents outdoors and alleviate overcrowding in City parks and other public spaces. Adams Street will be closed to traffic between 3rd and 9th Streets between 8 am and 8 pm on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17. Last weekend, Jefferson Street served as the City’s first open street pilot during COVID-19,” he shared in a press release.
He continued, “Last weekend’s successful launch on Jefferson Street demonstrated that open streets serve as a great way to get some fresh air while practicing safe social distancing,” said Mayor Bhalla. “As a result, we are bringing open streets to Adams Street this weekend, to provide additional options for outdoor space and alleviate crowds in other public places. Based on the positive responses, responsible usage, and popularity of the program, we’ll be looking for ways to expand open streets in the weeks and months to come.”
Read More: The Jefferson Street Pilot of “Open Streets”
The Results of This Week’s Survey
Over 2,280 people filled out the City’s open street survey this past week. From the results, according to the city, 88% of total respondents want “open streets” to continue during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide additional space for social distancing.
74% want open streets to continue when COVID-19 is no longer a factor, while 84% want Washington Street to operate as an open street, even if it meant a temporary loss in parking.
When asked for their primary reason for using the open street, 75% said for recreation and 17% said it was on their way to another destination. Users reported walking and biking as their most common activities.
Among the 386 respondents who indicated they live on Jefferson Street, 80% support open streets to continue on Jefferson Street or another street during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 66% support open streets after the pandemic.
Here are the results of the street survey, whose last Q shows a potential trend to move this to Washington Street:
Similarly to the Jefferson Street closure, during the open street pilot on Adams Street, walking, jogging, and biking are permitted on the open street, while “congregating” is prohibited. Face masks should be worn at all times, according to the Mayor.
In addition to the street closures, traffic control officers (TCOs) will be on hand to assist residents in vehicles who need access to enter or exit their garages. Residents do not need to move their vehicles parked on Adams Street in advance of the weekend and can exit Adams Street in their vehicles on Saturday or Sunday.
Adams Street, however, will be the only local thoroughfare undergoing this type of closure. Another popular waterfront area, Sinatra Drive, will not be closed.
“We saw last weekend a higher than usual volume of traffic and we did not want to make our waterfront even more of a destination for those who don’t live in Hoboken,” Mayor Bhalla said last week about not closing the waterfront area to traffic instead of Jefferson Street.
“I want to take extra precautions to ensure Sinatra Drive does not become a destination for non-residents and result in additional overcrowding.”
If you’re curious about the local businesses on Adams Street in that closed off area, here are a few {though not a ton}:
Fiore’s House of Quality, The Little Local Hoboken, Dozzino’s, The Stewed Cow, Augie’s Wine and Liquor.
The Pilot Program Debut
Last week, in a press release just released by the City of Hoboken, Mayor Bhalla announced today the creation of an “open street” on Jefferson Street for the purpose of creating more space to promote social distancing this weekend. This came just a day after Hoboken announced it would start the gradual reopening of select parks on May 8th.
According to the press release, the opening is serving as a pilot, which if successful, could be repeated or expanded in the future. Jefferson Street between 3rd Street and 11th Street was closed to vehicular traffic Saturday the 9th and Sunday the 10th from 8AM until 8PM to provide pedestrians and cyclists room to maintain proper social distancing and alleviate overcrowding in other public spaces.
Read More: Biking in Hoboken + Jersey City — A Guide
“We are pleased to open up Jefferson Street to Hoboken residents to help facilitate social distancing,” said Mayor Ravi Bhalla last week. “This space will help reduce the stress in our parks and waterfront, with the goal of making it safer for outdoor activity with the warmer weather. While we continue to advocate for residents to stay at home whenever practically possible, I recognize the mental health benefits of fresh air and outdoor space, and I’m confident this space will promote responsible outdoor activity.”
What do you think of the street closing this weekend and last? Share in the comments!
