The Hoboken Planning Board approved resolutions moving the Fabian Arts District and North End Redevelopment Plans forward at a virtual special meeting last night.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
The Fabian Arts District includes the CVS by Hoboken City Hall and the plan calls for a new entertainment space in the form of a performing arts center, which will include an indoor public walkway.
The plan also calls for a minimum of 10 percent workforce housing and a public space as well. Also notably, they would allow a nonprofit group to occupy 20,000 space feet of space for a nominal fee.
Specifically, the resolution calls for it to be reserved for “non-profits or governmental entities which focus on providing services to people experiencing homelessness (i.e., Garden State Episcopal, the Hudson County Alliance to End Homelessness, or the Continuum of Care).”
Since it is close to the Hudson River, they also want to ensure they are prepared for flooding via green roof and infrastructure. The plan was previously found to be compliant with the city’s Master Plan.
The Fabian Arts District plan has been in the works for some time. In May 2020, the city council designated the blocks between Washington Street, Newark Street, Hudson Street, and Observer Highway as an area in need of redevelopment.
The original Fabian Theater was built in the 1920s and was demolished in 1967.
The North End Redevelopment Plan also made progress on Monday evening. The development calls for 52 units across eight buildings, including five affordable housing units. The plan also calls for the construction of 7,444 square feet of retail space.
The revision called for a modest adjustment in the floor space ratio has also been in the works for some time. The plan was first approved by the council in March 2021.
The Hoboken Planning Board passed both resolutions with minor updates unanimously (4-0) without much discussion.