December 2018

Dear Friend:


For over a century, ocean liners, shipbuilders and break bulk cargo ships dominated Hoboken’s waterfront. They were the economic engine for the city. However, by the latter half of the 1900s, the riverfront industries began disappearing, leaving Hoboken with a rare opportunity to transform the vacated land at the water’s edge — a virtual blank slate — into something entirely different.

In 1990, we created the Fund for a Better Waterfront (FBW) for this very purpose, to put forth a plan for the Hoboken waterfront. We proposed a continuous public park at the water’s edge, with upland development that was compatible with existing Hoboken. Today, much of this vision has been realized and the park at the waterfront is beloved by Hoboken residents, visitors and workers.

But our work is not yet done. Through multiple administrations, the City of Hoboken has failed to complete a plan for the central waterfront. The battle to make Union Dry Dock a part of the contiguous park is yet still unresolved. Stevens Institute continues to use its waterfront for surface parking, a most inappropriate use for such an important site. The bike path at the South Waterfront dead ends at Fourth Street. Sinatra Drive remains overly wide, encouraging speeding and making it unsafe for pedestrians.

Your support is critical to ensure that there is an organization advocating for the public’s interest. For 28 years, FBW has worked tirelessly to fulfill the vision for a contiguous, public park along the Hudson River and development that reflects the best thinking in urban design. FBW has shown leadership on important public policy issues ranging from flood mitigation, landscape design, urban planning and real estate development. This year, we directed our focus on two important issues:

Union Dry Dock – FBW has help lead the fight to secure the Union Dry Dock property as part of Hoboken’s public, connected, waterfront park. We have spoken repeatedly at NJ Transit Board meetings. Our OPRA (Open Public Records Act) requests uncovered a 2009 NJ Transit study that documented five sites better suited for a ferry diesel depot. FBW provided detailed analysis and opposition to NY Waterway’s permit applications and we led petition drives to demonstrate the public’s overwhelming support for a park at the site. We have joined Mayor Bhalla and other elected officials to speak at rallies aimed at saving  the Hoboken Cove, where Union Dry Dock is located, as public open space.

The Monarch – For the past seven years, FBW has steadfastly opposed the high-rise towers proposed for Hoboken’s northernmost pier over the Hudson River. Represented by attorney Renee Steinhagen of NJ Appleseed Public Interest Law Center, we have joined multiple lawsuits to fight this ill-conceived project that would privatize a piece of our waterfront. As part of a proposed settlement, the developer has agreed to deed the land over to the City. FBW is seeking to require the developer to restore the pier and build a park before transferring the land.

I hope you will consider making a donation to the Fund for a Better Waterfront so we may continue this important work.We are a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non profit organization and your gift is fully tax-deductible. We really do count on your support, as contributions from individuals are by far the largest source of income for our organization.

Thank you in advance for your consideration. We deeply appreciate your generosity and commitment to the vision of a truly public, fully connected park along Hoboken’s remarkable waterfront.

Wishing you a healthy and happy holiday season,

Ron Hine

Executive Director

p.s. Donations to FBW, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, are fully tax-deductible. If your company can match your contribution, be sure to participate in that corporate match program. Donate through PayPal or send a check to Fund for a Better Waterfront, P.O. Box 1965, Hoboken, NJ 07030.

Related links