The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) revealed an additional $7.3 million for the Liberty State Park revitalization project at an open house this morning.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
“Thanks to Governor Murphy’s leadership and partnership with our state legislature, we’ve received additional funding in our most current state budget to advance this project to its next milestone,” he explained.
LaTourette added they’ve received feedback throughout the lengthy process, which has been incorporated.
He also noted explosive munitions are among the debris and polluted material they’re dealing with, which is why the cleanup is taking a while, before noting that new federal funding has recently come in for the project.
“Thanks to Congressman Menendez’s efforts in Washington, we’ve secured an addition $7.3 million for the work here,” LaTourette noted to applause.
“It’s an award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from what’s called the Biden-Harris Administration’s climate resilience challenge.”
LaTourette continued that enhanced wetlands can help deal with storm surges that can occur in hurricanes, like Superstorm Sandy, more frequently due to climate change.
He noted the revitalization of the train shed is a great concern shared by many interested in Liberty State Park, further stating that they have been evaluating the structure to examine turning the terminal and shed into a community center and marketplace.
The public was able to see the plans at the old Central Railroad Terminal Train Station in the park. In addition, people could vote and comment on the displayed plans using Post-it notes and stickers.
“We’re working to bring federal funds back for some of the resiliency components of it, which is obviously a priority of the Biden-Harris Administration. We’re working with the state in any way we can bring those dollars to the project,” Menendez told HCV.
He emphasized the need to protect the area from storm surges by enhancing the natural habitat.
Menendez added that they are concerned with ensuring there is active recreation in the park and praise LaTourette’s efforts in leading the project. The NJDEP has been gradually revealing its plans after many meetings and input.
The plans displayed in the terminal included a plan for vehicle circulation including shuttles to help move people around the very large park.
In addition, the northern space included things discussed in meetings, like three different beaches, more leisurely spaces, concession stands, volleyball courts, and restrooms.
There would also be room for food trucks, a stage area, and open space. Furthermore, there would be a community center near the entrance on the opposite side from the terminal.
Furthermore, the southern portion will have basketball, badminton, tennis, and pickleball courts for active recreation. There will also be a skate park.
In addition, athletic fields will include baseball, soccer, and cricket fields as part of the athletic hub. However, it is not at the scale of a stadium sought by some. Space for concerts and festivals is also planned on the great lawn in the south.
The currently closed off interior of Liberty State Park depicted a nature area, which consisted of several different types of natural habitats, accessible via different paths.
The train shed plan is still not finalized, therefore the board renderings displayed a few different options.
Friends of Liberty State Park (FOLSP) President Sam Pesin also praised LaTourette’s speech and commitment to their priorities, as well as praising their process for soliciting input – though he had some reservations as well.
“The open house exhibits of revised proposals show exciting and responsible features based on last year’s several thousand public comments and the broad public consensus of the last 48 years for a free and green urban state park. However, there seems to be very questionable ideas such as eliminating the free two-hour lot by the Terminal except for bus parking, and lessening parking spaces in the ferry lot,” he said.
“The shuttle bus system and the proposed “tram” will help alleviate Zapp Drive weekend traffic, but reducing needed parking spaces and adding many new amenities will cause inevitable problems. People can’t easily bring picnic/bbq supplies on mass transit. I urge LSP supporters to please review the proposals and provide important public input through Sunday, October 13 at the DEP‘s website.”
The next step in the process is resolving a final design for the train shed area.
There has been a tense, drawn out fight over the redevelopment between the allies of FOLSP and the allies of Liberty National CEO Paul Fireman over what revitalizing the park should look like, though neither Fireman or anyone tied to him attended this meetiing.
