Hoboken City Council approved a massive redevelopment agreement for the western edge of Hoboken at Wednesday’s meeting, paving the way for a new hotel, apartments, and retail space, to be located between 13th, 14th, Jefferson, and Madison Streets. The developers—Pegasus Partners—also vowed to put $3 million toward a community center and Hoboken’s first-ever community pool.
In an 8-1 vote, the Council sent the redevelopment agreement to the Hoboken Planning Board for final approval. If approved by the Planning Board, the developers said they hope to complete the final site work of the residential buildings in fall 2024 and the hotel in spring 2027.
Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in a press release that he was “extremely pleased” for the Council to approve the redevelopment agreement. The amenities “will add substantial quality of life benefits to our mile square,” he said.
Phil Cohen, the fifth ward city councilmember whose ward includes the approved redevelopment, said, “It has been a dream of many to have a community recreation center and a community pool in the 5th Ward.”
Bringing Back a Community Pool
For years, Hoboken residents have asked for a community pool after the closure of the YMCA pool years back, and last night, Hoboken City Council advanced the city toward finally having one. But, there’s still a long way to go.
Although not included in the redevelopment agreement, the developers vowed to contribute $3 million toward the construction of a pool and community recreation center at a location “within or about the Western Edge Redevelopment Area.”
In a press release, Hoboken said it will soon begin public meetings to collect input on locations and designs for a recreation center with a community pool.
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Hotel, Apartments, and Retail
The largest component in the redevelopment agreement is a massive complex that includes a 16-story, 281-room hotel, with a rooftop restaurant and lounge. It also has 357 apartments that break down as 30 studios, 120 one-bedrooms, 182 two-bedrooms, and 25 three-bedrooms; along with 24,526-square feet of retail space split between four storefronts.
The residential building and hotel would revitalize an entire block and occupy a 1.83-acre parcel at 1300 Jefferson Street.
The redevelopment agreement ends controversy that started this year when Hoboken’s City Council approved changes to the area’s Western Edge Redevelopment Plan. Last month, the Fair Share Housing Center sued Hoboken over amendments that would let the developers skip the 10% affordable housing obligation. However, the suit was quickly settled, and the developers will construct 20 on-site affordable units in the 1300 Jefferson Street building and another 17 exclusively for homeless veterans next to the American Legion Post 107 on Second Street between Willow Avenue and Clinton Street.
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A Further Look Into the Agreement
The mayor commended the redevelopment agreement for including stormwater management infrastructure. According to council documents, the redevelopment agreement includes several flood defense systems, including on-site stormwater storage with bioswales, rain gardens, and an underground detention system that can hold 22,000 cubic feet of water.
Councilman Phil Cohen celebrated the green infrastructure of the complex, saying that the development includes “critical flood remediation features in a LEED-certified, energy efficient building.”
