Showdown On Hoboken Dry Dock Averted; NJ Transit Postpones Vote

HOBOKEN, NJ — It could have been a contentious board meeting on Wednesday had NJ Transit chosen to move forward with a plan to purchase the Union Dry Dock property in Hoboken. But after days of discussions, cooler heads have prevailed, according to Mayor Ravi Bhalla.

On Tuesday, Bhalla announced that as part of a figurative cease-fire agreement, NJ Transit is cancelling its emergency meeting on April 4. During the meeting, NJ Transit was expected to discuss a controversial plan to buy the property – which is currently owned by NY Waterway – and lease it back to the privately owned company for use as a maintenance and fueling depot for its ferry fleet on the Hudson River.

In return for NJ Transit’s decision to call off their April 4 meeting, Bhalla agreed to formally end eminent domain proceedings and withdraw the city’s offer to buy the land.

NJ Transit's purchase of the Dry Dock would have helped NY Waterway fend off an attempt from the Hoboken City Council to use eminent domain to force its sale to the city for the "public good."

• See related article: Hoboken Continues Tug Of War Over Union Dry Dock
• See related article: Hoboken Makes $11.6M Offer To Buy Dry Dock From NY Waterway

A resolution and ordinance detailing Bhalla's offer has been added to the Hoboken City Council agenda for their regularly scheduled meeting on April 4. The "cancellation" of the NJ Transit meeting isn't official as of Tuesday, but is expected to be announced after the City Council meeting, a spokesperson for the mayor's office told Patch.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the NJ Transit board agenda states that the meeting has been "rescheduled" to April 5. The purchase and lease of the Dry Dock property is still listed on that agenda.

Bhalla thanked Governor Phil Murphy for helping out during the negotiation process.

“This resolution is the latest in a series of good-faith efforts on our part to cooperate with all parties,” Bhalla said. “I am glad the meeting is being canceled and we now have an opportunity to find a use for the land through an open and public process.”

Bhalla said that it was still his goal to work towards a “contiguous waterfront” in the city.

“I look forward to working with the Governor’s Office, NJ Transit, and New York Waterway to make this a reality and find a reasonable alternative location for the fueling and maintenance site,” Bhalla said.

Officials are considering alternative locations in Bayonne, which has expressed interest in housing the proposed facility, the mayor said.

• See related article: Hoboken Preps For Clash With NJ Transit, NY Waterway Over Dock

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Photo: YouTube / NY Waterway

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