Owner Of Poggi Property Relieved That City Of Hoboken Won't Take It By Eminent Domain

HOBOKEN, NJ — After the Hoboken City Council moved this week to drop their pursuit of a private building in northern Hoboken — which the city hoped to turn into a municipal garage and public safety/recreation complex — the owner of the property gave a statement.

Charles Poggi, whose family ran a printing business at 1501 Adams St. for generations, had expressed frustration for more than a year over failed negotiations with the city regarding his property.

The city of Hoboken will now pursue another location on Fifteenth Street for the garage.

Charles Poggi also criticized the eminent domain process in New Jersey in general.

In his statement, Poggi wrote:

“I am thankful and relieved that the City of Hoboken has relinquished its eminent domain claim on my property.

“Today, I am like every other property owner in Hoboken; I am free to use my property as I have long envisioned – within the bounds of the city’s redevelopment law. I can dream again.

“I can dream because four people on the city council had the courage, the independence and wisdom to withhold their vote for financing the city’s eminent domain claim for a $200 million project. To council members Ruben Ramos, Tiffanie Fisher, Jennifer Giattino and Michael De Fusco: I say thank you for showing sober judgment and respect for the power of the office you hold – and respect for private property rights.

“I hold no ill will toward Mayor Bhalla and his administration for trying to turn my family’s long-held property into a showcase city asset. It is not a bad thing for elected official to dream big and be bold in their visions for the future. That’s what leaders should do. But their power to dream big must be tempered with justice; their dreams must be more than just their dreams.

“Eminent domain is an incredibly powerful tool that elected officials in New Jersey have used and, in many cases – abused for decades. When it is used well – it is tool for progress. When it is abused, it is a weapon pointed at the heads of Americans and a wrecking ball tearing down their constitutionally protected right to private property.

“It is difficult to express what the council’s vote reversing the city’s claim to my property means to me. The property at 1501 Adams Street is more than an address; it represents the blood, sweat and tears of my grandfather, father, brother and myself, and our century of dedication to Hoboken. On behalf of all of them, I thank the city for giving me back our property.”

To watch a video of Wednesday's meeting, check out the city's Facebook page, or watch on YouTube.

• See the agenda and the packet of documents that go with the agenda here.