Hoboken withdraws $500k ‘The River that Flows Two Ways’ sculpture idea for Pier C

The City of Hoboken has withdrawn a $500,000 sculpture idea for Pier C known as “The River that Flows Two Ways” after residents objected to it.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“The City’s decision was reflected in the June 18, 2024 meeting minutes of the Hoboken Arts Advisory Committee which read, ‘Harmke project is facing push back and does not have support. Will not be moving forward. Administration will not be submitting for approval,'” the Fund for a Better Waterfront wrote on their website yesterday.

The group, who has advocated for areas like Pier C for 34 years, was offended that they had not been consulted about the project prior to a preliminary hearing by the city council in May.

“The enjoyment of the natural environment would be diminished. The scale and placement of this piece are discordant with the setting,” FBW wrote in a letter to the city.

The Hoboken City Council approved two other art pieces that were discussed in May at their September 16th meeting: a statue for LGBTQ+ icon Marsha P. Johnson and a City Hall mural.

City spokeswoman Marilyn Baer confirmed that the city was moving on from the sculpture concept after weighing evaluating feedback from the community.

“The City of Hoboken has decided not to move forward with the proposed sculpture at Pier C following community feedback. The city has received funding approval for two other art installations: a statue of Marsha P. Johnson at Stevens Park by sculptor Alvin Pettit and a mural at City Hall titled “Layers,” which honors the beauty of everyday life,” she told HCV.

“These projects will be the latest step the city has taken to grow public art. Recently, the city completed a Public Art Master Plan designed to provide a strategic framework for the management, expansion, and maintenance of public art which includes an inventory of public art assets, a needs and priority assessment, and strategies to enhance public art.”