March, Rally In Hoboken Against Ferry Depot At Dry Dock

HOBOKEN, NJ — The Fund for a Better Waterfront will spearhead a public march and rally to protest potential development at the Union Dry Dock site in Hoboken on Saturday, March 9.

According to organizers, the march and rally are being held to protest NY Waterway’s plans to build a ferry depot at the Dry Dock site, located at 901 Sinatra Drive.

NY Waterway – which owns the property – plans to build a ferry maintenance and refueling depot there, claiming it will enhance transportation, public security and property values on the Hudson River waterfront. But some city officials and activists have vocally opposed the project, which one community member likened to "putting a Port Authority bus station in the middle of a playground."

The City of Hoboken issued a stop work order to NY Waterway to halt ferry maintenance operations at the site last month.

• See related article: Hoboken Issues Stop Work Order To NY Waterway At Dry Dock
• See related article: Ferry Company Gets Permit For Controversial Hoboken Depot

According to the group, activists plan to meet at 10 a.m. at Pier A Park (1st and Sinatra Drive), and march to the Union Dry Dock and Maxwell Place Park for a rally. The event is sponsored by the Fund for a Better Waterfront, Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse and Resilience Paddle Sports. (Learn more here)

Organizers wrote:

“The Union Dry Dock site is at risk. The multi-year effort to make it an integral part of Hoboken’s waterfront park would be forever lost if Governor Phil Murphy decides that it should be the home of a ferry maintenance/refueling facility. This industrial use is incompatible with the kayaking, fishing, skateboarding, jogging, cycling and other public recreational uses at this site as well as the residential housing nearby. Join the march and rally to send a message to Governor Murphy that this is absolutely the wrong place for this kind of activity at this unique, ecologically important site, especially given the fact that there are other far more suitable locations for this ferry facility. All welcome. Bring your kids, pets, bikes, scooters, etc.”

• See related article: Leave Dry Dock Alone, NY Waterway Founder Says

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Hoboken Facebook page here. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com