NY Waterway has been granted a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move their ferry maintenance station to Hoboken’s Union Dry Dock.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I have just received notice that the US Army Corps of Engineers has granted NY Waterway a permit to move their ferry maintenance and refueling depot from Weehawken to the former Union Dry Dock site in Hoboken,” Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in a statement last night.
“I am incredibly disappointed but for me, this fight is far from over. I am re-doubling my efforts to ensure that this property will be a public park, NOT a ferry maintenance and refueling depot.”
Bhalla continued that Gov. Phil Murphy (D) will have the final say in the matter, therefore he and representatives and NJ Transit should visit the site to see “the detrimental impact” this will have on Hoboken.
2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher said that while not a surprise, the decision is still “frustrating” and urged Hoboken residents to contact Murphy’s office.
“This decision is so frustrating, although not unexpected,” she said.
“I urge all Hoboken residents to call Governor Murphy’s office at 609-292-6000, tell him how important our waterfront is to our community and ask him to do the right thing: protect Hoboken’s waterfront and better align all public transportation at Hoboken’s Lackawanna Terminal.â€
Back in July, dozens of residents spoke out against bringing NY Waterway to the Union Dry Dock site, with a few also speaking in favor of the idea.
Then last month, Bhalla and other Hoboken officials pushed for Union Dry Dock to bring their station to the Hoboken Lackawanna Ferry Terminal based on a study conducted by Boswell Engineering on September 6th.
In his own statement, NY Waterway Founder and President Arthur Imperatore applauded the decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
” … I want to thank the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for their diligence in hearing all the arguments, in studying the issues and in granting NY Waterway permits to operate a marine repair and maintenance facility at the Union Dry Dock site in Hoboken,” he began.
“This action is critical to our ability to provide vital mass transit service on a daily basis, enriching the lives of New Jersey commuters and adding value to waterfront property. Union Dry Dock has operated continuously for more than 100 years as a marine repair and maintenance facility. We will continue that great tradition, using this site to keep our ferries in top condition, operating safely, cleanly and comfortably.”Â