Hoboken Election: Vote Yes On Open Space, Mayor, Groups Say

HOBOKEN, NJ — Want more “open space” in Hoboken? Vote “yes” on the two public questions in the 2019 general election, some officials say.

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Hoboken residents will head to the polls to cast votes for city council members and the board of education. Voters will also face two public questions that could have a major impact on the future of open space in the Mile Square City.

>> Hoboken 2019 Election Guide: Candidates, Public Questions

Municipal Question #1 reads:

"The City of Hoboken established the Municipal Open Space, Recreation and Conservation Trust Fund ("Trust Fund") by ordinance on January 1, 2008 following a referendum on November 6, 2007. A minimum of 75% of the annual amount raised by the Trust Fund is utilized for the acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes, or the payment of debt service on indebtedness issued or incurred by the City of Hoboken for the acquisition of said lands. Shall the Trust Fund be amended so that a minimum of 75% of the amount raised by the Trust Fund be utilized for the acquisition or development of lands for recreation and conservation purposes, and for the payment of debt service on indebtedness issued or incurred by the City of Hoboken for these purposes?"

Municipal Question #2 reads:

"The City of Hoboken established the Municipal Open Space, Recreation and Conservation Trust Fund ("Trust Fund") by ordinance on January 1, 2008 following a referendum on November 6, 2007, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:12-15.7, to be funded at a rate not to exceed $0.02 per $100.00 of the assessed value of real property. Shall the Trust Fund rate be increased from $0.02 to $0.03 per $100.00 of the assessed value of real property, and add historic preservation as an eligible purpose? Historic preservation is defined as preservation of historic properties, structures, facilities, sites, areas, or objects, and the acquisition of such properties, facilities, sites, areas, or objects for historic preservation purposes."

The proposed funding changes for open space in Hoboken have gained support from several officials and activists, including Mayor Ravi Bhalla, Steven Zane – chairman of the Hoboken Historic Preservation Commission – and local nonprofit Fund for a Better Waterfront.

FBW: ‘IT’S NOT A TAX INCREASE’

According to the Fund for a Better Waterfront (FBW), the proposed questions would not necessarily mean tax increases for homeowners.

The nonprofit recently offered the following letter of support in favor of a “yes” vote.

“On election day, cast your vote YES on Questions 1 & 2. This will ensure that Hoboken can create a lasting legacy of public open space before the town’s rapid development erases that opportunity. Voting YES for open space is especially important for our waterfront, where there is a chance to fully connect a public waterfront park - a project 30 years in the making.

“In November 2007, Hoboken voters overwhelmingly approved the Open Space Trust Fund (OSTF) by a 10 to 1 margin. For the past 12 years, the City has successfully used this fund to help acquire and build 11 acres of new public parkland on the west side of town.

“Currently, the OSTF ordinance allots 2 cents per $100 of assessed property value, generating more than $2 million annually to the fund. For an individual homeowner with a property assessed at $500,000, the 2 cent rate means that $100 of their taxes annually goes to the OSTF.

“If ballot Question #2 is approved, the rate would increase to 3 cents per $100 assessed value (or $150 annually for a property valued at $500,000). This is not a tax increase but instead a change in how taxes are allocated, dedicating about 2 percent of Hoboken’s municipal budget to the OSTF. As long as the City holds the line on total spending and keeps other revenue sources constant, there would be no increase in municipal taxes.

“The current OSTF ordinance requires that 75 percent of the funds be dedicated to park acquisition. Ballot Question #1 would amend this, allowing the 75 percent to be used for park construction as well as acquisition. Question #1 would allow the other 25 percent of the funds to be dedicated for historic preservation purposes.

“By dedicating more dollars toward public open space development, the City of Hoboken will be able to leverage more park funding through County, State and Federal sources as it has done in the past.

“Hoboken continues to suffer from a deficit of open space. The current ratio of 1 acre per 1,000 residents is well below New York City’s standard of 2.5 acres and the national standard of 6.25 to 10.5 acres per 1,000 residents. By voting YES on Questions 1 & 2, part of this deficit will be reduced.

“For nearly 30 years, the people of Hoboken and FBW have sought to fulfill a vision for a continuous, public waterfront park along the Hudson River in Hoboken. The potential is now close at hand to complete several of the last missing links including Union Dry Dock and the Monarch pier. This is a rare opportunity that cannot be squandered. A park at Union Dry Dock would add over three acres of land as public open space connecting Castle Point Park to Maxwell Place Park.

“Vote YES for a lasting legacy of open space that will make all of Hoboken proud.”

MAYOR: ‘DEVELOP PARKLAND WITHOUT BURDENING TAXPAYERS’

Earlier this month, Mayor Bhalla asked Hoboken residents to consider a “yes” vote for the municipal questions.

Bhalla wrote:

“Voting YES to these two questions will substantially help our efforts to acquire additional land for open space, and develop parkland without burdening taxpayers.

“Our Open Space Trust Fund, established in 2007, creates a dedicated pool of funding that the City has used for the past 12 years to both acquire land, and build out our parks without impacting our tax rate. Two prime examples of the way we have successfully utilized our Open Space Trust Fund was the acquisition and build out of our Southwest Resiliency Park, and the acquisition of our Northwest Resiliency Park (currently under construction). Without the Open Space Trust Fund, it’s likely neither of these park projects would have been possible.

“Planning for the future with our proposed acquisition of Union Dry Dock, it is critical that we have sufficient funding to connect our waterfront with public, open space. Voting YES to municipal questions 1 and 2 will increase our Open Space Trust Fund by one cent per $100 of assessed value, so we can have the funding necessary to build a waterfront park our City can be proud of for generations to come, without having to raise taxes.

“Additionally, voting YES to municipal questions 1 and 2 will allow a greater portion of the Open Space Trust Fund for actual park development. Currently, the regulations for our Open Space Trust Fund mandate that 75% should be used for land acquisition. Voting YES will allow for a greater share to be used for park development, which allows for more flexibility as we move forward with Union Dry Dock, the Northwest Resiliency Park, and planned Southwest Resiliency Park expansion. And, voting YES allows the City additional flexibility to spend a portion of the funds for historic preservation purposes.

“We can’t move forward with these critical projects, especially Union Dry Dock, without your help on November 5. I’m asking residents to please support open, public space in Hoboken and voting YES on municipal questions 1 and 2.”

HPC COMMISSION: ‘RETAIN HOBOKEN’S HERITAGE’

Last week, Steve Zane, chair of the Hoboken Historic Preservation Commission, offered a statement of support for the proposed funding changes.

Zane wrote:

“Election Day is right around the corner. While much of the attention is on the City Council election, there are two important public questions on the ballot. Questions 1 & 2 concern our Municipal Open Space Trust Fund (OSTF). At present, 2¢ per $100 of property taxes are devoted to our open spaces. To put a number on this for the owner of a home valued at $500,000, $100 of their tax dollars would go to the fund.

“With respect to Question 1, it has been amended to allow for 75% of collected funds to be used for acquisition or construction. The other 25% would be used for Historic Preservation programs.

“Question 2 increases the rate to 3¢ per $100 of assessed value or $150 for the owner of a $500,000 homeowner.

“[Recently], the Hoboken Historic Preservation Commission unanimously voted to endorse an affirmative vote on Questions 1 & 2. We are very much in favor of this program. So much of what we love about Hoboken is its history & stories. Unfortunately, many of our public monuments have been neglected over the years. This was partly due to funding issues but also because there were no earmarked funds for this purpose. One of the HPC’s priorities would be to conserve and restore our public sculptures. These monuments were dedicated to memorialize citizens and events in Hoboken and most are in need of attention. Funds from voting yes on Questions 1 & 2 would go a long way towards making this possible.

“Over the next week, as you walk around Hoboken, take a moment to look at the Fireman’s Statue and the statue to Marconi in Church Square Park, our WW1 Memorial in Elysian Park, Sam Sloan in Warrington Plaza by the Terminal, or our Civil War Memorial in Stevens Park; all are in need of conservation and repair.

“The HPC is working hard to retain Hoboken’s architectural and cultural heritage. Many cherish the walkability and 19th century aesthetics of our city. Additionally, these characteristics are what bring so many visitors here for shopping, entertainment and just to walk out streets. It is HPC’s goal to retain our unique character while promoting growth in our city. For these reasons, we urge you to vote YES on Questions 1 & 2 for a better Hoboken.”

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