Ferry Company Gets Permit For Controversial Hoboken Facility

HOBOKEN, NJ — Federal authorities have granted key permits to NY Waterway to construct a controversial ferry maintenance and refueling facility at the former Union Dry Dock site in Hoboken.

On Thursday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers gave the go-ahead for the private ferry company to move their facility from Weehawken to the Dry Dock property at 901 Sinatra Drive in Hoboken, which it recently purchased for $11.5 million.

NY Waterway needed federal permission to build the depot because of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. Read the full notice about NY Waterway's permit application here.

Despite the company’s claims that the site will enhance transportation, public security and property values on the Hudson River waterfront, local community groups and elected officials - including Mayor Ravi Bhalla - have dug in their heels against the proposed location of the new ferry depot.

In November 2017, the Hoboken City Council authorized the use of eminent domain for the acquisition of the Union Dry Dock site at 901 Sinatra Drive to use as "open space," a plan backed by local community groups such as the Fund for a Better Waterfront.

• See related article: No Kayaking At Hoboken Cove? Dry Dock Plan Blasted At Hearing
• See related article: Study Names Best Spots For Proposed Ferry Station In Hoboken

After the Army and DEP’s decision on Thursday, Bhalla pledged that the tug of war isn’t done.

“I am incredibly disappointed but for me, this fight is far from over,” the mayor said. “I am re-doubling my efforts to ensure that this property will be a public park, not a ferry maintenance and refueling depot. Before NY Waterway is given permission by Governor Phil Murphy to ravage our waterfront and environment, I invite the governor and NJ Transit to visit the site so they can see firsthand the detrimental impact this will have on the families and children of our community.”

Bhalla posted the below video on social media, which claims that families living in nearby residential areas will be slammed by the new ferry depot.

“It’s like putting a Port Authority bus station in the middle of a playground,” Jon Miller, president of the Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse says in the video. (Article continues below)

NY WATERWAY FOUNDER: WE PROVIDE VITAL MASS TRANSIT

On Friday, New Jersey Hall of Fame member and NY Waterway founder Arthur Imperatore issued a statement in support of the proposed depot.

“On behalf of our 32,000 daily customers and the thousands of additional commuters who rely on us in an emergency, I want to thank the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for their diligence in hearing all the arguments, in studying the issues and in granting NY Waterway permits to operate a marine repair and maintenance facility at the Union Dry Dock site in Hoboken.

“This action is critical to our ability to provide vital mass transit service on a daily basis, enriching the lives of New Jersey commuters and adding value to waterfront property.

“Union Dry Dock has operated continuously for more than 100 years as a marine repair and maintenance facility. We will continue that great tradition, using this site to keep our ferries in top condition, operating safely, cleanly and comfortably.

“Our first project at Union Dry Dock will be to continue at an accelerated pace our ongoing environmental improvement program. We will start by installing in three of our ferries new engines, rated Tier 3 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. These are the cleanest marine diesel engines currently available in America.

“We will be announcing even more dramatic news about environmental improvements in the near future.

“Ferries strategically based at Union Dry Dock, at the Port Imperial Ferry Terminal in Weehawken and at the Hoboken/NJ TRANSIT Terminal are ready to react quickly in an emergency when other mass transit systems are disrupted. New Jersey officials called on NY Waterway three times in November to deploy our ferries to help commuters when other transit systems encountered problems.

“In the November 15 snowstorm, our ferries carried about 7,000 extra passengers, with added boats and buses running late into the night to make sure commuters got home to New Jersey.

“As we have proven with our ferry terminals in New Jersey and New York, we will be good neighbors and good stewards of our waterfront. We will improve the Union Dry Dock site and work to increase waterfront access.

“By providing ferry service at Hoboken’s 14th Street and elsewhere, NY Waterway has encouraged development so more people can live on the water. We have reduced traffic congestion and increased access to the waterfront.

“Operating from Union Dry Dock will enable us to build on that tradition of service, improving the quality of life for our commuters and our neighbors.”

• See related article: NY Waterway Founder To Hoboken Council: Leave Dry Dock Alone

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