Waterfront industries have virtually disappeared from Hoboken’s waterfront, save one: Union Dry Dock. This barge repair company is located at 901 Sinatra Drive just north of Castle Point and south of the Maxwell Place residential development. Over the past ten years, various proposals have been floated for the property, but the owners have been unable to consummate a sale.
The latest suitor is Arthur Imperatore, Sr., CEO of NY Waterway. Mr. Imperatore is interested in moving his ferry maintenance and fueling station plus shuttle bus parking from the Weehawken waterfront to this Hoboken site. The plan is to have New Jersey Transit purchase the property on behalf of this private ferry service.
After neighboring residents began asking public officials about the project, Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer wrote to Imperatore and New Jersey Transit Executive Director James Weinstein. Mr. Weinstein responded in a June 1, 2012 letter acknowledging the potential acquisition and stating that state statutes authorize NJ Transit to construct, operate and maintain capital projects “that support robust ferry service in the trans-Hudson corridor.”
In his letter, Weinstein claimed that the proposed uses conform to local zoning but it appears that the Hoboken Zoning Ordinance for this district would require a conditional use variance. In the past, however, NJ Transit has insisted that it is exempt from local zoning regulations.
Mayor Zimmer in her letter to NY Waterway and NJ Transit stated the hope of the Hoboken community that this property “would one day become open space and part of the continuous Hudson River Waterfront Walkway.”
The state and federal governments have spent over $200 million to build new ferry terminals/slips in Weehawken and Hoboken. Despite these heavy subsidies, the cost of riding the NY Waterway ferries has rapidly escalated. A one-way ride from Weehawken to mid-town Manhattan is now $9. Same price from 14th Street in Hoboken to mid-town.
View of Union Dry Dock from Sinatra Drive south of Maxwell Place.
On July 18, 2012, Union Dry Dock sent out a Request for Proposals (see below) soliciting bids to purchase this waterfront property. At least two proposals were received, including one from NJ Transit.
In 2001, Stevens Institute of Technology proposed to construct a soccer field at this site, mostly built on a pile-supported platform over the Hudson River. Later, Union Dry Dock entered into a contract to sell the property for $15 million. The case ended up in court when the prospective buyers backed out of the deal and unsuccessfully sought to recoup their down payment. In 2009, a Hoboken developer, Lawrence Bijou proposed to build four 12-story towers at the site that is zoned for 2 stories. Bijou quickly backed down when community objections were voiced to the project.
Related links
City to make offer to buy Union Dry Dock
City Council faced with standing room only crowd urging completion of waterfront park
15 environmental organizations urge Gov. to preserve Union Dry Dock as public space
3,000-year old outrigger canoe tradition lives on at the Hoboken Cove
NY Waterway’s improbable tale of eviction from Weehawken’s waterfront
Union Dry Dock is not an option for a ferry homeport but other sites are
FAQs on the ferry diesel depot proposed for Union Dry Dock site
NY Waterway lobbyists pressed Murphy administration to reverse course on Union Dry Dock
NY Waterway’s bogus talking points
The Life and Death of the Hoboken Cove
Hoboken mounts challenge to Army Corps/NJDEP permits
NJ Transit study identifies 5 sites more suitable than Union Dry Dock
FAQs: We answer your questions on NY Waterway depot in Hoboken
A brief history of NY Waterway and its founder, Arthur Imperatore
Tell NJ Transit Board to vote ‘no’ on MLK Day
Ferry homeport would reverse decades of progress at Hoboken waterfront
Public Park or Refueling Depot?
FBW letter opposing NJDEP permit application
NJ Transit’s dreadful plan for Hoboken waterfront
In 2012, NJ Transit abandons plans to acquire Union Dry Dock
FBW petition underscores Hoboken’s love of its waterfront
Union Dry Dock: Potential Parkland for Sale
Mayor Zimmer-NJ Transit letters May-June 2012
City Council Oct 17-2012 resolution re Union Dry Dock
Union Dry Dock RFP 7-18-2012
Mayor Sept&Oct letters to NJT
NJTransit letter to Mayor 10-17-2012