July 13, 2017

City Council Seeks Additional Input on Neumann Leathers Plan Concepts

The City Council meeting on Wednesday, June 21st included a presentation, public comment, and Council discussion on various concepts for the Neumann Leathers Redevelopment Plan. The presentation slides can be viewed at: www.hobokennj.gov/docs/communitydev/Neumann-Leathers-Council-Presentation.pdf.

The Hoboken City Council Community Development South Subcommittee will be meeting next week to discuss the Neumann Leathers Redevelopment Plan and is requesting additional public comments and preferences on concept alternatives for the project.

Members of the public are invited to review the three concepts under consideration and provide their feedback to the members of the subcommittee. The subcommittee has requested that feedback be provided via email by Sunday, June 25th:

Community Development South Sub-committee Councilman David Mello (chair): melloforhoboken@gmail.com Councilman Ruben Ramos: councilmanramos4@gmail.com Councilman James Doyle: jimdoylehoboken@gmail.com Councilman Michael DeFusco: mdefusco@hobokennj.gov

The three concepts are:

“Official Submission – Revision 3” (Latest Official Submission to the City): This is the latest proposal officially submitted to the City by the property owner, as part of the formal application process to be designated redeveloper.  This option would position the residential portion of the development consistent with the adopted Redevelopment Plan and meets the goals of separating the residential and light industrial areas and providing public open space. This submission was prepared by the applicant to respond to the City’s concerns about preserving the existing historic Neumann Leathers buildings and is consistent with the major components of the Redevelopment Plan.

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“Residential East” (Not officially submitted to the City): This concept was recently prepared by the property owner’s architect (March 2017) to try to respond to residents’ concerns as to the location of the residential uses while also preserving the existing Neumann Leathers buildings. This option would include a separate, 18-story residential building within the commercial/light industrial building area. This option would also reduce the amount of public open space and would require redevelopment plan amendments.

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“Option C – Historic Building Preserved” (Not officially submitted to the City): This concept was most recently prepared by the property owner’s architect (June 2017) to try to respond to residents’ concerns as to the location of the residential uses, while also preserving the existing Neumann Leathers buildings. One residential building would be built to extend over the existing historic Neumann Leathers building, and a separate residential building would be constructed in the eastern portion of the site, so that it is mixed in with the existing commercial/light industrial buildings. This option would also reduce the amount of public open space and would require redevelopment plan amendments.

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“I thank all of the residents who came out to last night’s Council meeting and invite our community to provide additional feedback to the Council subcommittee as they continue this discussion and work to reach consensus on a path forward,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer.