Politics & Government
Shake Shack In Hoboken? Zoning Board Denies Building Proposal
The Hoboken Zoning Board denied a plan that would allegedly have brought a mixed-use building – and Shake Shack - to Washington Street.
HOBOKEN, NJ — It took several hours, but by the time the Hoboken Zoning Board’s Tuesday meeting was over, a definitive consensus had emerged: there will be no "Shake Shack building" in the Mile Square City… for now.
During Tuesday’s meeting, the board voted 2-5 to deny an application for a proposed, mixed-use building at First and Washington Streets on the Walgreens parking lot. The six-story building would have included 14 residential units and 7,960 square feet of retail space, and would have allegedly included a Shake Shack restaurant.
“I think Shake Shack would be a great addition to Hoboken,” Mayor Dawn Zimmer wrote on Twitter following the board’s vote. “Not sure of ZBA's concerns but hope amended application could resolve the issues.”
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I think Shake Shack would be a great addition to Hoboken! Not sure of ZBA's concerns but hope amended application could resolve the issues.
— Dawn Zimmer (@dawnzimmernj) April 20, 2017
Hoboken Councilman Michael DeFusco posted artist renderings of the proposed building on Instagram.
“Those in our city's government, elected or appointed, who view community development as a negative need to realize that smart planning makes our city more livable, creates urban vibrancy and expands the tax base,” DeFusco wrote. “To that end, a commissioner on the zoning board referred to shake shack, ranked recently by Food & Wine as one of the best burgers in the USA, ‘just another burger joint.’ Whereas the central business district could have gained a world class restaurant and a building that generates taxes for the entire city, my neighborhood will instead continue to live with an empty lot.”
Find out what's happening in Hobokenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Last night #Hoboken said "NO" to a SHAKE SHACK downtown, on Washington Street. Those in our city's government, elected or appointed, who view community development as a negative need to realize that smart planning makes our city more livable, creates urban vibrancy and expands the tax base. To that end, a commissioner on the zoning board referred to shake shack (ranked recently by Food & Wine as one of the best burgers in the USA) "just another burger joint". Whereas the central business district could've gained a world class restaurant and a building that generates taxes for the entire City, my neighborhood will instead continue to live with an empty lot.
A post shared by Councilman Mike DeFusco (@mike4hoboken) on Apr 19, 2017 at 9:51am PDT
Not all reaction to the zoning board’s decision was negative, however.
“Yes, Shake Shack would be great,” one commenter wrote on Twitter. “And then Hoboken can bring in a Petco and knock out all the private business in town.”
@dontsithome @shakeshack No guarantee Shack Shake would be tenant at that location (i.e. No agreement, lease, etc). It could be Little Caesars ultimately moving in pic.twitter.com/U9iqZLumOl
— Change Hoboken (@ChangeHoboken) April 20, 2017
- See related article: Developer Claims Hoboken Hotel Could Generate $21.4M A Year For City
The debate as to Shake Shack's potential interest in a Hoboken expansion may have been put to rest when the restaurant chain post the following reply on Twitter: there is no plan to expand to the Mile Square City... for now.
@hMAG @CityofHoboken @mike_defusco @JerseyDigs @HobokenGirlBlog @TotallyHoboken @HobokenInc @hobokenmenus @dontsithome @HudsonCoView @Gothamist Hey Hoboken, no plans for this site or any other just yet, but we're thankful for the support and hope to see ya soon!
— SHAKE SHACK (@shakeshack) April 21, 2017
Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com
Artist renderings reposted from Michael DeFusco via Instagram
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