After many Hoboken officials and activists called for a public hearing on the future of Union Dry Dock, the Army Corps of Engineers has obliged, scheduling a three-hour event at Stevens Institute next month.Â
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The hearing, which will take place inside the DeBaun Auditorium on July 18th, will allow residents and other interested party’s to voice their opinions on New York Waterway potentially turning the waterfront property into a ferry refueling and docking station.
“For months, we’ve been asking for a chance for Hoboken residents to express their concerns at a time and location convenient for them,†Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in a statement.
“Finally, our request has been granted. I now encourage everyone to come out and let your voice be heard. Don’t let New York Waterway silence you.â€
Last month, the Army Corps noted that the public needed to be more involved with the process, with U.S. Sens. Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-NJ), as well as U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-8), all joining the call for more voices to be heard.
“Make your voices heard! We need a big crowd on July 18th for the Public Hearing on NY Waterway’s application for a permit to operate from the Army Corps of Engineers,” 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher wrote on a Facebook event created for the hearing.
Each public speaker will be limited to three minutes, though written statements read into the record may exceed that time limit, and the hearing will run from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
The Bhalla administration, as well as advocacy groups such as the Fund for a Better Waterfront, have made it clear that they would prefer Union Dry Dock to become the final part of a contiguous waterfront walkway and park.
A spokesman for Union Dry Dock declined to comment.
