DeFusco, Fisher Plan to Close Portion of Sinatra Drive to Vehicular Traffic Moves Forward After Receiving Council Approval

HOBOKEN, N.J. — Continuing on a push to help local small businesses recover from the COVID-19 global health crisis, the Hoboken City Council advanced a plan sponsored by Councilman Mike DeFusco and Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher to close a section of Sinatra Drive from August 1 through October 15. As part of the ordinance, the stretch of roadway between Newark and Fourth streets would be transformed into a pedestrian plaza to allow residents to safely social distance along the waterfront and create additional outdoor seating and retail space options.

“Hoboken’s waterfront is a destination for hundreds of people each day and it’s critical we do all that we can to create a more pedestrian and businesses friendly atmosphere,” said Councilman Mike DeFusco. “We’ve seen cities throughout the country successfully take a similar approach in closing streets and now it’s time for Hoboken to follow suit. Innovative and thoughtful legislation like this has put Hoboken at the forefront of helping small businesses throughout the pandemic and I’m appreciative to Director Sharp for sharing with us his ideas and expertise to push this forward.”

“As we enter into the summer months, residents and visitors alike are eager to get outside and we are seeing increasing crowds coming to enjoy Hoboken’s amazing waterfront,” said Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, Chair of the Parking and Transportation Committee. “Working together, our goal was to repurpose the southern part of Sinatra Drive to reduce recently increased congestion and noise, but doing so in a way that supports the neighboring restaurants and small businesses all while making it a safe place for people to enjoy our waterfront. This simple piece of legislation accomplishes all three.”

Earlier this year, Councilman Mike DeFusco proposed legislation that paved the way to expand the use of sidewalk cafes, created parklet-style seating for restaurants and allowed for the reactivation of underutilized outdoor space and parking lots for popup shops.

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