Cole Garner Hill
Updated: Oct 29, 2012 04:09 PM EDT
Hurricane Sandy reared its ugly head beginning early this morning Oct.
29, and is expected to make landfall near extreme southern New Jersey or
central Delaware by late afternoon or early evening, according to
Weather.com....
Hurricane Floyd in 199 was a large storm too. The torrential rains started to fall at 5AM and the 'eye' didn't arrive for another day.
By
on July 06, 2010 at 8:30 AM
HOBOKEN — The company (click here) that built New York’s famed Rockefeller Center says it is putting the finishing touches on plans to construct a skyline-altering project in Hoboken’s industrial northern end.
The Rockefeller Group has been talking with Hoboken city leaders for the better part of two years as the firm continued buying up land between Park Avenue and Clinton Street near the Weehawken Cove, according to the company. The full contours of the plan still have not been completed or readied for public announcement. But those familiar with Rockefeller’s working concept say the development is likely to have a number of buildings, including a tower up to 40 stories tall — which would become the city’s tallest building.
The project, which would cost well into the hundreds of millions of dollars, calls for no residential development; instead it would be all commercial real estate, coupled with open space and improvements to the nearby Weehawken Cove....
It seems there was a lot of tension between Mayor Zimmer and this company from the start of her administration. I don't blame her, she was trying to have a platform that would hear the wishes of the people. It is somewhat worrisome there was to be no residential development even in the top floors of the building. But, that is just me, I guess.
..."There have been no negotiations with the Rockefeller Group regarding their project by my administration," she said. "There will be no negotiations until a study has been completed, and a public process including all (residents and property owners) has been completed in order to determine what kind of development our city would like to have in that area."
She said that "given that the Rockefeller Group is a major land owner in the area, we would certainly consider them as a potential redeveloper with respect to whatever project the city determines is appropriate and in the best interests of its residents."
Hoboken, called the Mile Square City, is well known for its pricey waterfront and its nightlife of bars and restaurants. Its government has been struggling financially in recent years and many have suggested that commercial development could prove a gold mine for the taxes that could be generated...
Zimmer ran for Mayor of Hoboken in 2009. She lost to Peter Cammarano in the June runoff by 161 votes. On July 1, when Cammarano was sworn in as mayor, the City Council unanimously elected Zimmer as Council President.
On July 23, 2009, Cammarano was arrested by the FBI as part of a major corruption and international money laundering conspiracy probe known as Operation Bid Rig.
This is Governor Christi's old district as U.S. Attorney. Interesting. As a matter of fact Christie served as the chief federal law enforcement officer in New Jersey from January 17, 2002, to December 1, 2008. During that time he prosecuted most of the people involved with the "Operation Big Rig" which would ultimately place Ms. Zimmer in office.
Operation Bid Rig is an ongoing, long-term investigation into political corruption in New Jersey conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, and the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey since 2002.
It is really quite interesting, isn't it?
Paul J. Fishman was sworn into office as U.S. Attorney on October 14, 2009 after having been nominated by President Barack Obama. He succeeded Ralph J. Marra, who served as Acting U.S. Attorney after the resignation of Christopher J. Christie in December 2008 to run for Governor of New Jersey.
...Rockefeller first came to the city with its original concept nearly two years ago, in the final months of the administration of Mayor David Roberts
"They certainly had come to us," said Roberts’ chief attorney at the time, Steve Kleinman. "They bought up a large number of properties in the northern segment of the town."
Negotiations continued into last July and the start of the mayoral administration of Peter Cammarano III. But the discussions, along with much city business, came to a standstill on July 23 when Cammarano was arrested as part of a massive corruption and money-laundering sting. Cammarano pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to commit extortion by accepting $25,000 in illegal campaign donations from federal informant Solomon Dwek.
Zimmer said that any commitments made during her predecessors’ administrations are not binding....
Indeed.
...Regardless, Ramos, former Hoboken city council president, said the Rockefeller concept is "probably an opportunity worth exploring to say the least. It’s a conversation worth having."
Given this is 2010, the Rockefeller Group, which is a respected firm, was working on this since about 2008. I am surprised they are still hanging in there. But, as a rule architect and engineers who put a lot of time into their creations don't give them up easy. It is unclear to me why they would steer away from some residential housing. The added infrastructure might be an issue, but, if a complex of businesses and water front can't be appreciated by people it loses it's value really. Any water front property would maintain it's value as a high end residential community. So, in some ways that doesn't make sense to me because the city taxes collected on high end property would pay for the added infrastructure and city workers.
Friday, 25 July 2008
By John Covaleski, Commercial Real Estate Direct Staff Writer
Rockefeller Group Development Corp. (click here) is under contract to acquire a development site of about four acres in Hoboken, N.J., for $100 million.
Bijou Properties is selling the parcel above 14th Street in a relatively undeveloped area of northern Hoboken near its border with Weehawken, N.J.
Bijou, of Teaneck, N.J., acquired the property a few years ago on behalf of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, a New York investment group, for about $75 million, and never followed through on plans to develop residences and retail space there, according to a person familiar...
So this is the second failed company to attempt development in this city. Bijou Properties were the first and they actually did want to put residential housing there. What's the problem?
This is 14th Street in Hoboken? Wow. And there is a world financial center on 14th Street, too. Double Wow.From NJ Turnpike
NJ Turnpike to exit 16E follow signs to
Lincoln Tunnelroute 495. Exit at
Weehawken (last exit in NJ).
At traffic ramp and continue south
on Boulevard East. Make a left at
14th Street in Hoboken.
Go straight for 3 lights and Consitution Court, Ferry terminal
is approximately one block on the left.
I can understand why Rockefeller doesn't give it up.
Local
Take Washington Street to end make
a right onto 14th Street. Continue
through the next traffic light and make
a right onto Constitution Court. Ferry
terminal is approximately one block on the left.
As of January 20, 2014 the viaduct is closed for repairs.
This project involves (click here) the replacement of the existing 14th Street Viaduct, located in the City of Hoboken, NJ. The existing viaduct is a 31 span structure 1,460 feet in length. Built in 1908, the existing viaduct is non-redundant, structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. Hudson County has identified the need to correct these deficiencies and provide a safe, reliable crossing meeting current traffic demands and design standards. TranSystems performed an extensive scoping program to determine the optimum solution to address these issues and to prepare the environmental document to secure federal funding.
It could be that Hoboken doesn't have the infrastructure for a large office complex.
According to this there was to be 300 condominiums and the project was initiated under the Corzine administration
Monday, January 20, 2014 Last updated: Monday January 20, 2014, 11:11 PM
The Record
- See more at:
http://www.northjersey.com/news/Port_Authority_study_favored_politically_connected_builder_for_Hoboken_redevelopment.html#sthash.2AC1b9UV.dpuf
The
project centers on one of the last hardscrabble sections of Hoboken,
which has been transformed in the last three decades from a blue-collar
industrial town to one of New Jersey’s most expensive bedroom
communities.
In June 2008, Rockefeller paid more than $78 million for the nine properties, which ranged from a large factory to an auto body shop, according to deed records. In January 2009, while Jon Corzine was governor, the state Economic Development Authority approved $750,000 for Rockefeller’s subsidiary in reimbursement of costs to clean up environmental hazards at the properties.
Press reports at the time said Rockefeller had plans to build a $1.1 billion development that would include 1.8 million square feet of office space, 85,000 square feet of retail space and 300 condominium units. No development applications have yet been filed.
- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/news/Port_Authority_study_favored_politically_connected_builder_for_Hoboken_redevelopment.html#sthash.2AC1b9UV.dpufadministration.
In June 2008, Rockefeller paid more than $78 million for the nine properties, which ranged from a large factory to an auto body shop, according to deed records. In January 2009, while Jon Corzine was governor, the state Economic Development Authority approved $750,000 for Rockefeller’s subsidiary in reimbursement of costs to clean up environmental hazards at the properties.
Press reports at the time said Rockefeller had plans to build a $1.1 billion development that would include 1.8 million square feet of office space, 85,000 square feet of retail space and 300 condominium units. No development applications have yet been filed.
- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/news/Port_Authority_study_favored_politically_connected_builder_for_Hoboken_redevelopment.html#sthash.2AC1b9UV.dpufadministration.
The
project centers on one of the last hardscrabble sections of Hoboken,
which has been transformed in the last three decades from a blue-collar
industrial town to one of New Jersey’s most expensive bedroom
communities.
In June 2008, Rockefeller paid more than $78 million for the nine properties, which ranged from a large factory to an auto body shop, according to deed records. In January 2009, while Jon Corzine was governor, the state Economic Development Authority approved $750,000 for Rockefeller’s subsidiary in reimbursement of costs to clean up environmental hazards at the properties.
Press reports at the time said Rockefeller had plans to build a $1.1 billion development that would include 1.8 million square feet of office space, 85,000 square feet of retail space and 300 condominium units. No development applications have yet been filed.
- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/news/Port_Authority_study_favored_politically_connected_builder_for_Hoboken_redevelopment.html#sthash.2AC1b9UV.dpuf
January 20, 2014In June 2008, Rockefeller paid more than $78 million for the nine properties, which ranged from a large factory to an auto body shop, according to deed records. In January 2009, while Jon Corzine was governor, the state Economic Development Authority approved $750,000 for Rockefeller’s subsidiary in reimbursement of costs to clean up environmental hazards at the properties.
Press reports at the time said Rockefeller had plans to build a $1.1 billion development that would include 1.8 million square feet of office space, 85,000 square feet of retail space and 300 condominium units. No development applications have yet been filed.
- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/news/Port_Authority_study_favored_politically_connected_builder_for_Hoboken_redevelopment.html#sthash.2AC1b9UV.dpuf
By Scott Fallon
Monday, January 20, 2014 Last updated: Monday January 20, 2014, 11:11 PM
The Record
- See more at:
http://www.northjersey.com/news/Port_Authority_study_favored_politically_connected_builder_for_Hoboken_redevelopment.html#sthash.2AC1b9UV.dpuf
Monday, January 20, 2014 Last updated: Monday January 20, 2014, 11:11 PM
The Record
- See more at:
http://www.northjersey.com/news/Port_Authority_study_favored_politically_connected_builder_for_Hoboken_redevelopment.html#sthash.2AC1b9UV.dpufIn June 2008, Rockefeller paid more than $78 million for the nine properties, which ranged from a large factory to an auto body shop, according to deed records. In January 2009, while Jon Corzine was governor, the state Economic Development Authority approved $750,000 for Rockefeller’s subsidiary in reimbursement of costs to clean up environmental hazards at the properties.
Press reports at the time said Rockefeller had plans to build a $1.1 billion development that would include 1.8 million square feet of office space, 85,000 square feet of retail space and 300 condominium units. No development applications have yet been filed...
...Sullivan said his team dealt mostly with just Hoboken officials, with whom his firm had worked on past, unrelated projects. “The bill may have been paid by the Port Authority, but in our minds we were working for the city,” he said.
The money for the study was drawn from a fund that the New York and New Jersey governors tap into for pet projects in each state.
The developer did not donate directly to Christie’s reelection fund or the Republican Governors Association, which Christie chairs, according to state campaign finance reports and IRS documents. Two employees of the firm donated a combined $1,500 to Christie’s primary fund, according to state records....
It has been known in New Jersey for as far back as I can remember that eventually New York would sprawl into New Jersey because real estate values would be more attractive in NJ and it is just a fact of life as NYC has less room to expand the land across the river would be inviting. September 11, 2001 moved that forward quite a bit. Those attacks scared people, especially when one firm lost so many. The development of New Jersey was preferred for several years after the tragedy in Lower Manhattan. So, this doesn't surprise me.
There are many, many large political personalities involved in all that comprises this topic of concern. But, it doesn't surprise me there are many large personalities involved either. These projects bring in the best of the best on many an occasion. These projects have status and are valued so those who care about the city/state will seek to participate.
This investigation is going to take some time. There are a lot of pieces to the puzzle and no one is going to mow down prominent people until all the facts are in and it is determined there were crimes committed.
I am sorry the project hasn't gone forward. It has been in the works for a long time and the NY-NJ Port Authority has already conducted a study to be sure it's a good project that is justified according to their standards. The reason 'stallworts' are involved here, is because they have a lot of experience in dealing with Port Authority rules and regs. When experienced people are involved the project goes smoother and quicker, than someone from the outside that has little to no experience with these issues.
I look forward to any conclusion by the US Attorney, but, someone needs to get this project underway for the people of the city and state. It will generate construction jobs initially and then a long standing sustainable economy will follow.
I wish everyone well.
The
project centers on one of the last hardscrabble sections of Hoboken,
which has been transformed in the last three decades from a blue-collar
industrial town to one of New Jersey’s most expensive bedroom
communities.
In June 2008, Rockefeller paid more than $78 million for the nine properties, which ranged from a large factory to an auto body shop, according to deed records. In January 2009, while Jon Corzine was governor, the state Economic Development Authority approved $750,000 for Rockefeller’s subsidiary in reimbursement of costs to clean up environmental hazards at the properties.
Press reports at the time said Rockefeller had plans to build a $1.1 billion development that would include 1.8 million square feet of office space, 85,000 square feet of retail space and 300 condominium units. No development applications have yet been filed.
- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/news/Port_Authority_study_favored_politically_connected_builder_for_Hoboken_redevelopment.html#sthash.2AC1b9UV.dpuf
In June 2008, Rockefeller paid more than $78 million for the nine properties, which ranged from a large factory to an auto body shop, according to deed records. In January 2009, while Jon Corzine was governor, the state Economic Development Authority approved $750,000 for Rockefeller’s subsidiary in reimbursement of costs to clean up environmental hazards at the properties.
Press reports at the time said Rockefeller had plans to build a $1.1 billion development that would include 1.8 million square feet of office space, 85,000 square feet of retail space and 300 condominium units. No development applications have yet been filed.
- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/news/Port_Authority_study_favored_politically_connected_builder_for_Hoboken_redevelopment.html#sthash.2AC1b9UV.dpuf
The
project centers on one of the last hardscrabble sections of Hoboken,
which has been transformed in the last three decades from a blue-collar
industrial town to one of New Jersey’s most expensive bedroom
communities.
In June 2008, Rockefeller paid more than $78 million for the nine properties, which ranged from a large factory to an auto body shop, according to deed records. In January 2009, while Jon Corzine was governor, the state Economic Development Authority approved $750,000 for Rockefeller’s subsidiary in reimbursement of costs to clean up environmental hazards at the properties.
Press reports at the time said Rockefeller had plans to build a $1.1 billion development that would include 1.8 million square feet of office space, 85,000 square feet of retail space and 300 condominium units. No development applications have yet been filed.
- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/news/Port_Authority_study_favored_politically_connected_builder_for_Hoboken_redevelopment.html#sthash.2AC1b9UV.dpuf
In June 2008, Rockefeller paid more than $78 million for the nine properties, which ranged from a large factory to an auto body shop, according to deed records. In January 2009, while Jon Corzine was governor, the state Economic Development Authority approved $750,000 for Rockefeller’s subsidiary in reimbursement of costs to clean up environmental hazards at the properties.
Press reports at the time said Rockefeller had plans to build a $1.1 billion development that would include 1.8 million square feet of office space, 85,000 square feet of retail space and 300 condominium units. No development applications have yet been filed.
- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/news/Port_Authority_study_favored_politically_connected_builder_for_Hoboken_redevelopment.html#sthash.2AC1b9UV.dpuf
