LETTER: Hoboken is keeping us in the dark on the Garage B proposal at all costs

In a letter to the editor, Fund for a Better Waterfront Executive Director Ron Hine expresses his dismay about Hoboken’s Garage B plan being kept in the dark.

Dear Editor,

New Jersey has enacted important laws to ensure that municipal contracts are awarded fairly, and in full view of the public, reducing opportunities for conflicts of interest, corruption or undue influence.

Unfortunately, recent actions by the Bhalla administration call into question its commitment to an open, transparent municipal government and undermine the public’s trust in how it governs.

In early July, the Fund for a Better Waterfront filed an OPRA (Open Public Records Act) request seeking the proposal submitted by Skylight Real Estate Partners to develop the Garage B Redevelopment Area. The City denied the request.

We appealed to the Government Records Council, a process that will take time to resolve.

First Ward Councilman Paul Presinzano also filed an OPRA request seeking all five bids that were submitted to the City. The City denied his request as well.

The Garage B project is in his ward and his constituents have expressed to him their strong opposition to this redevelopment plan that allows for 25-story towers.

Last week, Mayor Bhalla called for a special meeting of the City Council on August 7 via Zoom to consider a single agenda item, a resolution to enter into negotiations with Skylight Partners to be the designated developer for the Garage B site.

The Mayor called for the Council to go into closed session at 6 p.m. citing “attorney client privilege” as a rationale to deprive the public to view these proceedings. The public portion begins at 7 p.m.

There are many reasons for concern.

Andrew Miller, a Skylight partner, contributed $5,000 to Mayor Bhalla’s failed congressional campaign and another $5,000 to Assemblyman John Allen, Bhalla’s former chief of staff.

Miller contributed an additional $9,200 to two city councilmen who are vying to be Hoboken’s next mayor. How can the public be assured that this was not a factor in the selection process or will influence a vote on August 7?

It appears that Skylight has limited experience in real estate development.

In New Jersey, they have acquired a number of properties that they now manage. Just this past March, they brought in a new partner who does have extensive experience in real estate development. Was this done to lend credibility just for this Hoboken project?

Four current council members are campaigning to be Hoboken’s next mayor. Their vote on this matter will be a reflection of the kind of political leadership they will provide.

In addition, don’t they want for this project to be shaped by their own administration?

This is an opportunity to develop a comprehensive plan for the neighborhood that reflects the best thinking in urban design and development and is responsive to community feedback.

Given these concerns, the public deserves assurance that the selection of Skylight as the potential developer for this valuable city property is based on merit and not on political connections.

There are also questions about what terms might eventually be negotiated.

Residents deserve clarity: Will affordable or workforce housing units (currently in the specifications) be replaced by market-rate units?

Will building heights go beyond what’s appropriate for the neighborhood? Will the city lose a critical source of revenue from the parking garage?

All these questions need to be answered before the City Council votes on this resolution.

Sincerely,

Ron Hine, Executive Director
Fund for a Better Waterfront