Council President Jen Giattino Delays Vote on Hoboken Yard Redevelopment Plan to Address Residents’ Concerns

HOBOKEN, N.J. — At the City Council meeting two weeks ago, a vote was delayed on amendments to the Hoboken Yard Redevelopment Plan until residents had the opportunity to express any concerns about the project in a public forum. Within days, the administration announced a community meeting to discuss the plan just one day before the City Council was being asked to again vote on the largest redevelopment project in Hoboken’s history.

Council President Jen Giattino immediately recognized that less than 24 hours was not nearly enough time for Council members to consider residents’ feedback and make an informed decision about the future of the project. Last week, Council President Giattino asked for the vote to be postponed and carried over to next month’s meeting.

“As elected representatives of Hoboken, it is our responsibility to listen to the concerns of residents and always vote on policies that are in the best interest of our city,” said Council President Jen Giattino. “When we ask for community feedback, we need time to digest the responses we receive to properly address the issues that are presented to us. One day, just 24 hours, is simply not enough time. It’s unfortunate Mayor Bhalla did not personally field the concerns of Hoboken residents after having asked us to approve a massive redevelopment plan. I’m happy to see the Mayor support the proactive decision made by myself, with the support of several of my colleagues, to suspend a vote until we further review the project with input from the community.”

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