Property Owner Poggi Pokes Holes In Hoboken's Newest Plan To Fund Municipal Complex

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla wants to solve a few of Hoboken's problems at once by building a municipal complex on 15th Street, which would include a recreation complex, a new headquarters for the police and fire departments, and a library branch.

The only problem is, it's on property owned by Charles Poggi, longtime owner of Poggi Press. And Poggi hasn't been on board with the city's methods of acquiring his land — including the city's newest plan this week, to get a Hudson County agency to help fund the project. READ MORE: Will Hoboken Public Safety Complex Be Built On Poggi Property?

Wednesday, Poggi's representative said he would submit a statement to the City Council at their meeting that night.

The statement says that for a city to use eminent domain against a citizen property owner is "devastating," and that the city's attempt to get help from the HCIA, a county agency, is an "end run."

The council did vote that night to work with the HCIA on the proposed $192.5 million complex, a report said.

The Letter In Full:

Ladies and gentlemen of the City Council. I am here today to address the resolution concerning the
purchase of my property for the site of a new municipal complex through the Hudson County Improvement Authority.

First, I want to say that I am appreciative of the four members of the council who have so far refused to vote for the administration’s bond ordinance to take my property. I believe they are correct in questioning the administration’s plan.

I think the criticism that the four council members are receiving from the administration is unfair. As I see it, they are doing their jobs.

The administration’s attempt to get funding for the purchase of my property from the HCIA circumvents the authority of the City Council – and the “will” of the many residents who are opposed to the project.

The administration is attempting an end run around elected officials by going to the HCIA for financing……

Really? you guys are going to vote to allow the administration to undermine your own authority as city leaders. If you do so, this begs an entirely different question.

I hope the officials atthe HCIA realize that they are being asked to support the abuse of government authority – namely, the “involuntary seizure” of my property via eminent domain – which is one of the most devastating weapons a government can use against citizens.

Ironically, this resolution appears on the agenda just two days after America celebrated its 18th Century fight for liberty and the opposition to government tyranny.

The administration came after my property when it was forced to find a new site for the city’s Public Works Garage. I tried to accommodate the city’s needs for a DPW center
by offeringtwo redevelopment proposals. Both were rejected.

When the administration decided to take my property– it was continuing a policy of targeting property owned by multi-generational families. The current and previous administrations are littered with examples of this targeting policy.

I think it is hypocritical that a city that prides itself on cultural diversity and inclusion, would
purposely target the men and women who built and lived in this city long before it became an upscale, multicultural entertainment destination.

The administration has tried to get me to succumb to their unreasonable offer for my property. They don’t want me to benefit from redevelopment opportunities afforded to other developers
and property owners in the city. Over the past two years I have attempted to negotiate in good faith with the administration regarding my property. However, this resolution is not a sign of the Administration’s good faith; it is an attempt to use another arm of government to force me to succumb to the demands of the mayor.

I want the council to understand that I will continue to protect my Constitutional rights as a property owner and fight for justice.

I hope the council will also support justice and vote against the resolution seeking funding from the HCIA for the administration’s municipal complex.

What do you think? Comment below.