The latest 1st Ward fracas in Hoboken revolves around the competing municipal garage plans, both of which include a public pool, introduced by incumbent Mike DeFusco and challenger Migdalia Pagan-Milano.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“This proposal for a municipal pool and recreation facilities on top of a city-owned garage makes the best use of our limited city space and resources, and is an option that will well serve our first ward residents. I look forward to exploring this major quality of life upgrade for our City,” Pagan-Milano said in a statement released yesterday.
The garage is located at 215 Hudson St. in Downtown Hoboken and is commonly referred to as Garage D.
While this idea seemed to be about as uncontroversial as things are going to get during a Mile Square City election cycle, DeFusco announced earlier today that he has “successfully secured funding to conduct an engineering study to begin making necessary repairs to the Hudson Street municipal garage.”
His concept of a rooftop pool and community garden can be seen above and the councilman said he plans on holding public meetings as the project moves forward.
He was dismissed Pagan-Milano’s plan as an “irresponsible” one that could “negatively impact the quality of life” since professionals and residents were not consulted.
Team Bhalla spokesman Rob Horowitz shot back that DeFusco is “the king of shoddy not well-thought through proposals with plenty of flash, but usually little, if any, substance.”
He added that if elected councilwoman, Pagan-Milano would certainly consult with professionals and constituents.
The Hoboken municipal elections are on November 5th.