The developer that seeks to build a marina on the southern side of Liberty State Park, which critics have referred to as the “millionaire’s marina,†has postponed a public hearing on the project that was scheduled for next week.Â
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
” … In the spirit of cooperation, it has agreed to a request from New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection officials to postpone the public presentation of details surrounding its proposed marina in Liberty State Park,” Suntex spokesman Darryl Isherwood said in a statement.
He continued that no new date has been set as of today.
On Wednesday, Suntex Senior Vice President Ron TenEyck announced the hearing was set for January 30th, at 10:30 a.m., at the Liberty House Restaurant.
He touted the event as an opportunity to learn about the project first hand and to clear up “misinformation” about the plan.
State DEP spokesman Larry Hajna said he agency requested the postponement “to give the new administration an opportunity to review the proposal.”
As part of the agreement with the state Department of Environmental Protection, Suntex has agreed to take on the upkeep and repair of the bulkhead at the northern end of the park, where Suntex operates the Liberty Landing arena.
The state had formerly been responsible for the bulkhead. The cost of that upkeep expected to run into the tens of millions of dollars.
Mayor Steven Fulop and his administration, along with advocacy groups such as the Friends of Liberty State Park, have been against the project from Day 1. Early this month, Fulop announced the city had filed a lawsuit to halt the project.
Last week, the mayor tweeted that while a judge ruled the project could move forward, he felt comfortable the marina plan will not advance under Gov. Phil Murphy (D) – who has also spoken out against the concept.