The Hoboken City Council unanimously approved (9-0) a business recovery plan that will allow businesses to utilize outdoor spaces starting on June 15th.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Businesses can now begin utilizing the shared spaces once given approval from the City. The application for streateries, parklets and open streets is now active and can be accessed by visiting the city’s small business recovery page.
“We want Hoboken businesses to have as many tools at their disposal to expand outdoor operations, which is what this new ordinance provides for,” Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in a joint statement.
“Hoboken is committed to making the best use of public space through expanded sidewalks, streateries, parklets and closed streets, to give our businesses a fighting chance.”
Gov. Phil Murphy (D) announced on Monday that outdoor dining would be permitted by the middle of this month, signing an executive order yesterday making it official.
“Hoboken will continue to fight for our businesses, and the ordinance we passed [yesterday] will expand outdoor capacity and lift up our small business owners,” added Council President Jen Giattino.
“Now more than ever we need to maximize on underutilized spaces throughout Hoboken and I look forward to a collaborative process with the business community to activate these areas to help mom and pops succeed while keeping with the charm of our city,” noted 1st Ward Councilman Mike DeFusco.
The new concepts include a sidewalk cafe expansion, which would allow an extra hour of operation on Thursdays, Fridays an Saturdays, “streateries,” which would convert parking spaces into outdoor dining areas, converting curbside parking into a mini-park, opening certain streets just for businesses and pedestrians, and retail use for sidewalks.
Each measure would require an expedited approval process, officials said.
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